Authors • 

Jake Smith

Jake Smith

With a first-hand experience in self-employment, Jake Smith worked for Crunch as Content Strategy Manager - leading key initiatives and utilising his marketing skills in SEO, PPC, UX, Display, Social, Analytics and E-Commerce to boost our company's growth.

This included a comprehensive update to our Crunch Knowledge blog, providing support and advice to the self-employed that led to a 300% increase in traffic to over 1m monthly visits - earning Crunch a 'Best Content Marketing Campaign' gong at the British Accounting Marketing Awards in 2019.

Accreditations & Qualifications

  • CIM Marketing Academy
  • Web Application Development at The Open University
Jake Smith

Name

Jake Smith

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Jake Smith

What are the tax implications of closing your limited company?, image of pensioners on a laptop | Crunch
Tax

Thinking about closing your limited company? This article will explain the two main options - informal strike of or members' voluntary liquidation.

Taxation of company cars and vans - how much will you pay?, image of company car park | Crunch
Tax

Our jargon-free article explains the tax consequences surrounding company cars / vehicles for employers and employees that you need to know about.

What is Employers’ Liability Insurance? What cover is required? Image of hazard cone | Crunch
Employment law

Employers’ Liability Insurance often provokes many questions, not least whether or not you actually need it. We answer the most commonly asked questions.

Am I a UK Tax Resident - Crunch - image of a man on a plane
Tax

Getting your UK tax status wrong could mean that your worldwide income is subject to UK tax. Find out how to get it right with this jargon-free article.

Limited Company Director's Responsibilities - what you need to file and when with HMRC and Companies House : Crunch - image of HMRC sign on a wall
Tax

What are your responsibilities as a limited company director? We explain what you need to file with Companies House & HMRC so you can keep on top of things.

Working from home? What you can and can’t claim as an expense | A comfy dog at home | Crunch
Tax

If you spend time working from home, then depending on the work you do, you might be able to claim expenses back for using your home as an office.

How to pay yourself as a sole trader and how much to put aside for tax, image of a man at a laptop | Crunch
Becoming self-employed

As a sole trader, you’re not directly employed and you don't receive a salary or wage in the traditional sense. So, how do you pay yourself?

What business expenses can I claim as a Limited Company?, image of a stationery kit | Crunch
Expenses

There are often limited company business expenses that go unclaimed, which means you could end up paying more tax than you need to.

How to reduce your Corporation Tax
Tax

Lowering your Corporation Tax just takes diligence, a bit of knowledge of the tax system, and a few minutes every month making sure everything is recorded.

People working in a modern office
Tax

What is National Insurance and do the self-employed have to pay it? This article explains it all as simply as possible.

What is Self Assessment? How to complete your Self Assessment, image of someone typing their Self Assessment | Crunch
Tax

New to contracting or freelancing? Struggling with filing your first Self Assessment? Our quick guide goes over the basics of what you should do.

A warning cone
Running a business

Public Liability Insurance won’t cover you retrospectively, so you should have it in place as soon as you start to interact with members of the public.

Get ready for end of tax year (5th April 2023) & new tax year, image of a calculator | Crunch
Tax

We’re fast approaching the end of the tax year on 5th April 2023. Let's take a look at what you’ll need to know.

Crunch: Making Tax Digital - how will affect me - image of man writing on stack of paper
Tax

Making Tax Digital (MTD) is the government’s plan to shift tax online. The initial changes will only really affect you if your business is VAT registered.

The Crunch Personal Tax Estimator, image of a pencil and calculator | Crunch
Tax

Crunch's Personal Tax Estimator will help you work out the tax you may have to pay on your personal income, including sole trade income, salary & dividends.

What business expenses can I claim as a Sole Trader?, image of a stack of papers | Crunch
Expenses

As a sole trader, your business will naturally incur running costs. The good news is that many of these running costs can be claimed as business expenses,

What is Pension Automatic Enrolment (PAE), how does it affect small businesses?, image of pensioners having fun | Crunch
Employment law

UK employers must provide access to a pension for their eligible workers. Employees can choose to opt out of auto-enrolment if they wish to. Find out more!

Image of a person paying online with a credit card.
Tax

Bad news if you were intending to pay off your Self Assessment tax bill with a personal credit card - this will no longer be an option as of 13th January.

What is an Employment Related Securities Return, image of friends sharing pizza | Crunch
Tax

Giving or awarding shares through an Employment Related Securities scheme can be a good way for employers to reward employees. Here's what you need to know.

Crunch
Tax

As anyone is able to see the director service address on the public record, many people prefer to provide an alternative to their home address.

Worker clearing out their desk
Becoming self-employed

Ready for pastures new? Before you tell the boss exactly where to go, read our top tips on how to quit your job the right way.

Capital Allowances, Annual Investment Allowance, and the Super-Deduction
Tax

Businesses can buy items of “plant and machinery” and offset some of that expenditure against their profits. Ltd companies can also claim a super-deduction.

Self-Employment Income Support Scheme - guide for the self-employed | Crunch
Get paid

We've put together this guide to help you make a claim on the government's Self-Employment Income Support Scheme aimed at sole traders and partnerships.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme - Guide For Employers, image of a closed sign | Crunch
Get paid

There have been a number of important changes to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJSR Furlough). Our guide explains what's changing and how to claim.

What do recruiters need to know about IR35? - Image of two recruiters with a contract
Tax

IR35 changes were introduced on 6th April 2021 will have a significant impact on recruiters, both at employment agencies or in-house. Get your free guide.

Getting your contracting business ready for IR35 in the private sector, image of British currency | Crunch
Tax

The government introduced major changes to IR35 in April 2021. What do contractors and businesses need to do to ensure they're meeting the new rules?

Finance Bill may affect the self-employed. Image of a freelancer doing her taxes
Running a business

The Coronavirus Business Bounce Back Scheme is designed to provide quick access to cash . We've put together this guide to help you make a claim

Managing your accounts and tax as a self-employed dentist, hygienist, or dental therapist - Crunch - image of a dentist
Tax

We’ve put together this comprehensive, jargon-free guide to help you understand how best to set up as self-employed, and how to act tax-efficiently.

Crunch Mortgage Monitor - could you save money on your mortgage - image of a row of houses
Personal finance

Crunch Mortgage Monitor is a free service for Crunch Clients and Crunch Chorus members that checks every day to see if you could save money on your mortgage.

Crunch Free - the perfect replacement for Wave Accountingin the UK
News and opinion

Wave Accounting is removing access to its free accounting software in the UK, but there’s an even better replacement for the UK’s self-employed heroes.

HMRC logo in Westminster
Tax

Your P60 is a summary of your pay and all deductions in a specific tax year (6th April to 5th April the following year). Here's what it includes.

What are the main advantages of a limited company - Crunch - image of a man drinking coffee at a laptop
Limited company

Many take the Sole Trader route when starting a business, but there are huge benefits and advantage associated with setting up a limited company.

Man doing his taxes on his phone
News and opinion

With Snap, our new receipt scanning app all you have to do is take and upload a photo of the receipt or invoice for an expense.|With Snap, our new receipt scanning app all you have to do is take and upload a photo of the receipt or invoice for an expense.

Chrunch's guide to the March 2021 Budget for small business owners and the self-employed
Tax

Here is Crunch's small business friendly highlights from the the Chancellors March 2021 Budget  affecting small business owners and the self-employed.

Gig Economy: Deliveroo Prepared To Provide Benefits To Riders, image of a delivery driver opening their bag | Crunch
Employment law

Deliveroo has indicated it’s prepared to provide riders with benefits, and has called for the creation of a new classification for gig economy workers.

What help is available for small businesses, gig workers, and the self-employed affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)?, image of a globe with a mask | Crunch
Running a business

The government has announced financial measures to support businesses through the Covid-19 emergency. There's support for certain employees, businesses and self-employed.

Frustrated accountant
Tax

Is your accountant better at invoicing you than looking after your accounts? Here are the top five signs you need a new accountant.

Tax

If you work through a personal service company, then you need to understand how Supervision, Direction, or Control affects travel and subsistence expenses.

Foreign business travel: expenses and allowances explained - Crunch - Picture of a woman waiting for a plane.
Expenses

Most business owners will have their domestic business travel sussed, but international business travel has a few quirks you need to know about.

How to build a website for your small business - Crunch - Image of web code
Running a business

Building a small business website doesn't have to cost the earth. However you choose to get your business on the internet, it’s important that you do.

Coronavirus: three month extension announced for filing company accounts - Crunch - image of a stressed person
Tax

Coronavirus: The government has announced a three month extension period to file accounts with Companies House during the coronavirus emergency

What is Financial Reporting Standard (FRS) 105?, image of mechanic repairing a bike | Crunch
Tax

FRS 105 is the Financial Reporting Standard applicable to micro-entities in the UK (issued by the Financial Reporting Council ).

Why business owners love us

Rik

July 7, 2023

I have been with Crunch for many years. I wanted to express my appreciation for the exceptional services provided by Crunch. Their professionalism, attention to detail, and expertise have been invaluable in managing my finances effectively. Working with them has been a pleasure, and I highly recommend their services to anyone seeking reliable and knowledgeable accountants.

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Stew L

July 6, 2023

As someone that’s new to being self employed, Crunch made the whole set up process easy. From my initial call to understand the process, the check ins to see how I was doing to actually going ahead. Once I was set up the support team were amazing at answering the millions of questions I had and they’re always at the end of the phone or email if I need them. I even had a full 45 minute call to walk through the full system which was amazing.

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PMC Ltd

June 29, 2023

I really appreciated the way the Crunch staff member adjusted to my knowledge and confidence level - which was relatively low. She helped me work out what I needed to do and was incredibly helpful and patient as I went through my interminable snagging list. This has been my experience with Crunch staff in general - but when tasks build up, it's easy to put off direct contact - when, in fact, this makes all the difference.

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Running a business can be confusing. We're here to help.

Crunch boasts over a decade of experience by assisting a plethora of businesses with professional advice and guidance from experts.

Our Knowledge articles, jargon-free business guides, tools and calculators as well as tutorial videos can help answer your questions.

Our free self-employed community, Crunch Chorus, boasts over 71,000 members like you.