Authors • 

Tom West

Tom West

Tom West joined Crunch in 2015 following a successful political communications campaign at the Brighton and Hove Green Party. He excels at converting complex jargon into simple, easily-digestible explanations. As Community and Social Manager, he oversees the Crunch Chorus Community - the largest self-employed network in the UK.

A keen creative - Tom has performed in over 20 countries with his punk rock band, and also moonlights as a writer and backstage producer at live entertainment company, RIPTIDE Wrestling. He lives in Sussex with his partner (a self-employed florist) and their Romanian rescue dog.

Accreditations & Qualifications

  • BA (Hons): Media Writing
Tom West

Name

Tom West

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Tom West

Pensioner using a laptop
Tax

Capital Gains Tax comes into play when you make a profit from selling something you own. Here's a quick breakdown of what you need to know.

graphical user interface
Contracts

A look at four bizarre occasions where not paying due attention to their own small print came back to haunt large businesses.

Changing from sole trader to limited company, image of people sticking notes on a cork board | Crunch
Limited company

Changing from a sole trader to a limited company? Here’s a simple explanation of when to make the transition and what you’ll need to keep in mind, without all the jargon.

Getting help with gtowing your business - Crunch - image of people collaborating
Running a business

How do you know when you might be needing more assistance and advice? We take a look at the ways in which you can find out if you need more help.

Has your contractor insurance really got you covered?, image of someone on a laptop | Crunch
Running a business

This handy checklist will help you understand what to look out for when arranging insurance cover as a contractor.

Image of a camera with a broken lens
Personal finance

Professional Indemnity insurance should be considered by any self-employed worker who is providing design, advice or specifications.

What is a Postgraduate Masters Loan - Crunch - Image of students
Personal finance

Confused about how to go about managing your repayments? Don’t sweat, here’s all you need to know about student loan repayment when you’re self-employed.

Tax-Free Childcare for the self-employed, image of kids at school | Crunch
Tax

What is the Tax-Free Childcare scheme? How does it work, and how do you apply for it? Read on for everything you need to know about the new scheme.

How to become a consultant, image of a woman at a laptop | Crunch
Becoming self-employed

As a freelance consultant, you’re now the master of your trade, as well as the master of your own destiny. Here's what you need to know to get started!

How to become a freelance photographer - Crunch - image a of a photographer at a wedding
Becoming self-employed

This bumper article gives practical tips and advice on how to develop from a freelance newbie into a freelance veteran.

Hiring employees - a small business checklist
Running a business

Hiring employees can increase your productivity and help you offer more services to your clients. Here's how to decide what to do.

Personal and business tax changes for new tax year, image of paper money | Crunch
Tax

A round up of the tax changes that may affect small businesses and business owners for the new tax year that starts on 6th April 2023.

Scottish Income Tax Rates, image of Scottish money | Crunch
Tax

We explain the tax rates that apply for the 2023/24 tax year, affecting income taxpayers resident in Scotland and how to see if you're affected.

What are the tax implications of paying into a personal pension? (Image of bricklayer building a wall)
Personal finance

Whatever your business situation, there are significant tax reliefs for pension contributions available. So you can pay less tax and save for your future!

 Claim tax relief on your mobile phone or landline expenses | Crunch
Expenses

To claim tax relief on your mobile phone or landline expenses, a contract needs to be set up between your limited company and the service provider.

The Rock vs John Cena - Business Lessons from Dwayne Johnson | Crunch
Running a business

Wrestling champion. Box Office sensation. President? How your business can harness the magnetism of Dwayne Johnson.

Crunch - how to set up a limited company - image of people at work in a team | Crunch
Limited company

We show you how to set up a limited company so you get to define your brand, own everything you do, and run your business in the most tax-efficient way.

What is Business Asset Disposal Relief when selling shares in your business?, image of a woman using a calculator to work out tax | Crunch
Tax

Thinking about selling your limited business? You'll need to know about Business Asset Disposal Relief.

Crunch
Expenses

Whether you have an accountant or are taking on the books yourself, it's important to be organised, especially if you're planning on making expense claims.

Woman hiring a room
Tax

If you’re planning to rent out a room in your home, you’ll need to know how the tax system works, and how it affects you. Here's a jargon-free lowdown.

What is VAT MOSS and does it affect me?
Tax

The VAT Mini One Stop Shop (VAT MOSS) scheme is a way of paying VAT if your UK business provides certain digital services to customers in the EU.

Crunch - Interest on late payments - image of a paid invoice
Get paid

Want to know what interest you can charge on late payments when working as a freelancer, contractor, or small business owner? This article explains what the rules are, and a few ways to get your money from difficult clients. Get paid what you’re owed!

An image of a calculator with the word tax
Tax

If you're self-employed in the UK, you need to register for Self Assessment to calculate and pay your income tax. The deadline for payment is 31st January.

Crunch Coins - What, why, how?
News and opinion

Explore the benefits of Crunch Coins.

Image of a hand typing on a calculator
Running a business

Budgeting and financial forecasting can be extremely beneficial for growing and planning your business's future. In this article, you'll find out how to budget your business.

Crunch and Brixx collaboration
Running a business

Our integration with Brixx gives Crunch subscription users the Brixx free package included. Grow your business with forecasting and simple-to-use reporting.

National Living wage and National Minimum Wage - Crunch - image of british coins
Running a business

The Conservatives' 'National Living Wage' is not the same as the one proposed by the Living Wage Foundation. We look at the differences.

How to negotiate a contract
Contracts

Andrew Farrugia from Lawbite explains what you need to consider when signing a new contract.

What is arbitration?
Contracts

Arbitration is a similar process to litigation, just less formal. Lawbite explains how much it costs, how long it takes and much more.

Clair's house
Personal finance

Clair Parmenter, a Commercial & Performance specialist and owner of DiaryDo Ltd, approached Crunch Mortgages when her self-employment was causing issues with buying a home.

Callum from Social For Good joins us on 30th March for a free, live Q&A.
Running a business

Callum from Social For Good joins us for a live Q&A session.

A mature lady gets to grips with Instagram
Running a business

On Weds 26th January Social For Good's Kerry will be answering your Instagram questions on our Community Forum.

Support small businesses this Christmas, image of a Christmas tree with presents | Crunch
News and opinion

Struggling for last-minute Christmas gift ideas? Support small businesses with unique gifts.

Father and son at a bakery - small business recommendations | Crunch
News and opinion

‍Explore the businesses that deserve special recognition.

Big Ben and the Houses of Parliament | Crunch Chorus
News and opinion

‍We are obsessed with doing what we can to ensure everyone is able to love what they do. Crunch want to ensure that people with an entrepreneurial spark do not have to jump through lots of legislative hoops to become their own boss. 

Someone finding it difficult to get out of bed due to poor mental health | Crunch
News and opinion

Our friends at Leapers run an annual study into the relationship between mental health and self-employment. Crunch would love you to be a part of this.

A lorry driver | Blame IR35 | Crunch
News and opinion

A survey has revealed that tax changes have had almost as much effect on driver availability as Brexit, and more than COVID-19.

Some members of the Crunch team | Crunch
News and opinion

Crunch nominated for gongs including Accounting Tech of the Year and Best Customer Service at the UK FinTech Awards / Brighton & Hove Business Awards.

People at a Crunch meetup
News and opinion

Starting or running a business, and need tips? Want to network with fellow self-employed workers? Find out what events are coming up.

How to come up with a great company name, image of someone thinking | Crunch
Becoming self-employed

To make naming your business or company just a little easier, here are some simple, quick methods for coming up with a company name.

Work For Free? Sod That, Say These Freelancers (image of a freelancer working).
Get paid

We’ve all done it, yet most freelancers will have regretted it at some stage. Here's a few who have had enough of being asked to work for free.

A florist turning their hobby into a career
Becoming self-employed

"If there's always biscuits in the tin, where’s the fun in biscuits?" Find out if the decision to turn your hobby into a career is the right one for you.

Toblerone
Running a business

Here are six important lessons from Alan Partridge for small businesses - some funny, some tragic. Oooh, it's a good list...

Woman reading letter while she drinks coffee
Tax

Failure to file a Confirmation Statement is a criminal offence, which can result in directors being fined personally in criminal courts. Here's what to do.

How the founder of Freelancer Club built an award-winning startup using only freelancers
News and opinion

Matt Dowling founded the Freelancer Club in 2014 after his own experiences as a freelance photographer highlighted a need for a change.

Nick Lewis - Crunch client
Becoming self-employed

From being made redundant in 2002 to playing a part in the launch of “Boris Bikes”, Nick Lewis gives his insight into becoming a self-employed Web Consultant.

Closing your limited company, what are your options - Crunch - Image of a closed sign
Limited company

Whether you've decided to retire, become an employee, or go back to sole trader, you need to know the tax-efficient ways to close your limited company.

Small Business Survival Checklist, image of a struggling businessperson in a cashflow emergency | Crunch
Running a business

A handy, jargon-free checklist to prepare you for when times take a turn for the worse.

Finding work as a consultant - Crunch, image of people working
Running a business

How do you find work to get the ball rolling as a consultant, and continue to get the kind of clients that will keep inviting you back?

Photo of Jonas V. Schürmann - Crunch client
Becoming self-employed

From parting ways with Google to being the maker of his own destiny, Jonas V. Schürmann shares his experience of going it alone in the video games industry.

What are unsecured and secured business loans
Running a business

We take a closer look at the differences between unsecured and secured business loans, to help you decide which may be better suited to your business.

Crunch client stories: Web Consultant Jonathan Cottrell
Becoming self-employed

Leaving a comfortable full-time job to go it alone was the "hardest thing" for Jonathan Cottrell, but four years down the line he has no regrets and is excited for what the future holds.

Hannah Searle's story
Becoming self-employed

Having a clear plan and building a funnel of potential clients are key to Hannah Searle's approach to making her Interior Designer business a success.

Small Business Taxes - Crunch - image of business workers
Tax

A quick explanation of each of the small business taxes you’re expected to pay as a freelancer, contractor, or small business owner.

Brexit: What The Self-Employed Need To Know And Do, image of British and EU flags | Crunch
Running a business

The UK formally left the European Union on 31st of December 2020. Here's what that means for you as a freelancer, contractor, or small business owner.

Becoming self-employed

Toby Osbourn went self-employed in order to take control of his own financial security. Backed by a strong support network, the gamble has paid off Toby and his business Tosbourn Ltd.

Tadas Tamosauskas - Crunch client stories - image of Tadas
Becoming self-employed

Ditching office politics, spending more time surfing and improved mental health have contributed to Software Development Consultant Tadas Tamosauskas' route to self-employment.

John Boyle - Crunch client
Becoming self-employed

Product Design Consultant and Crunch client John Boyle tells of his self-employed journey so far.

Personal Service Company - Woman using laptop - Crunch
Tax

Usually refers to a limited company, set up to provide the services of a contractor. Find out how you can set one up, and why you might want to.

Becoming self-employed

Going freelance has not only given copywriter Melissa Holloway priceless time with her a family, but also opened doors to a variety of work that she always craved.

Work stress - how to deal with it when self-employed, image of a pug on the table | Crunch
Productivity

Sometimes it seems the to-do list is never ending. And a never-ending to-do list often leads to stress. Here's what you can do to help yourself cope with stress as a freelancer, contractor, or small business owner.

a person writing on a piece of paper
Get paid

A businesses would typically provide a customer with a credit note when the amount on an invoice is disputed or incorrect. This might be due to an admin error, or because the customer requires a full or partial refund. Here are a couple of scenarios of when you might want to issue a credit note to a client.

What is bookkeeping and why does it matter - Crunch - picture of man doing some bookkeeping
Get paid

Bookkeeping is the art of recording your financial information so that you can keep track of your incomings and outgoings. It can be a delicate process, but once you've mastered it, you'll have full control of your finances.

Clare Devlin
Becoming self-employed

We spoke to interior designer and Crunch client Clare Devlin about how freelancing has given her far greater opportunities than her previous employment.

Free Tools & Resources To Help The Self-Employed, image of a calm freelancer | Crunch
Productivity

When you join Crunch Chorus you’ll get access to free business guides, self-employed meetups, an invoice generator, late payment letter templates and more.

Woman working from home
News and opinion

Half of the self-employed wanted to obtain a better work-life balance but research suggests many are working an additional 14 hours every week.

How long does trademarking a company last? (Image of designers working).
Running a business

How long does trademarking a company last? How much does it cost? What's the difference between trademarking a company & registering one? All this and more.

a person with glasses holding a phone
Get paid

When Matilde, owner of a social media consultancy business for SMEs, was faced with a client who wouldn’t pay up, she contacted Crunch Collections for help.

Self-employed support Facebook group launched by Crunch Chorus, | Crunch
Productivity

Join the Crunch Chorus Facebook group today to share advice, experience, and make new connections. For friendly freelancers, contractors, & the self-employed.

Image of Ben Schaefer
Tax

Want to break free(lance)?, image of a Queen tribute act | Crunch
Becoming self-employed

Want to break free...lance? Learn about escaping your boring job, breaking free and going freelance with lessons from five Queen bangers.

How To Generate Leads For Your Small Business | Crunch - Image of post it notes
Running a business

Even self-employed veterans can struggle to generate small business leads. Here's a checklist of how small business can get in front of the right people.

“One day I’ll be assisting at a photoshoot at a restaurant, the next I’ll be editing 100-page reports for a global charity. It’s a real mixed bag.” - Suzanne Lindfors
Becoming self-employed

Freelance copywriter, Suzanne Lindfors, shares her thoughts on juggling freelance work with the demands of parenthood and more.

a man wearing a black hat and sitting at a desk with a laptop
Get paid

Case study: When a design agency was suffering with unpaid invoices it decided to enlist the help of Crunch Collections. Read the full story.

Ronan
Becoming self-employed

We take a look at how London-based IT Contractor Ronan Moriarty has used our services to keep on top of his bookkeeping and what the future holds for him.

Opening a business bank account, image of woman on phone and laptop | Crunch
Running a business

It’s essential to make sure that you keep your personal and business banking separate, so you’ll usually need a dedicated business bank account.

Man using a calculator.
Limited company

Don’t worry, it’s not as confusing as it seems. Here's what you need to know about share value and capital when setting up a limited company.

Running your UK limited company or sole trader business when you’re not resident in the UK
Running a business

If you live outside of the UK but run a UK-based limited company, there are certain rules you’ll need to be aware of to effectively run your business.

Get paid

Picking the best card reader can be a time-consuming task. Here’s a look at what all the major providers offer.

Crunch
Running a business

SWOT is a very common process used for planning - it's not perfect though. What other methods can you use?

Becoming self-employed - 13 things to consider before going freelance,image of photography work space | Crunch
Becoming self-employed

Thinking about leaving your job and becoming self-employed? Ask yourself these questions first to help you decide if this is the right career move for you.

An ill self-employed worker
Personal finance

We take a look at Income Protection Insurance and how it can be beneficial for the self-employed in the event of unforeseen circumstances.

Productivity

Just because you’re a lone-worker, doesn’t mean you have to be a lonely worker. In this article, we take a look at some ways you can combat loneliness.

Friends raising a glass over dinner
Tax

Receiving a gift from your employer is a great feeling, but in the workplace the employer needs to be aware of whether or not they need to pay tax on the present. Here are some helpful examples for small businesses.

The risks and dangers of freelance marketplaces - Crunch - Image of a person typing on a laptop.
Running a business

Having been involved in an identity theft scam on Elance , I've since learnt a few things about the risks of using these freelance marketplaces.

A fire engine
Running a business

The chances are slim, but accidents happen. Make sure you're prepared with our free business continuity plan template.

Woman working on a laptop behind her table
Tax

Since June 2016, UK companies have been required to maintain a PSC register of decision-makers. We explain what you need to do to stay compliant.

Three business people
Becoming self-employed

Strategic business partnerships give small businesses and startups the opportunity to grow their company. We explore multiple partners and the benefits.

News and opinion

Scared of asking for money? Just remember some guy gained £42k for a potato salad. And that's not the weirdest thing on this list of crowdfunding successes.

Can musicians make a living off Spotify?, image of a guitar | Crunch
Becoming self-employed

A comprehensive guide on how subscription-based streaming services like Spotify pay artists, and the other alternatives available.

Ultimate productivity tips for the self-employed, image of a calendar | Crunch
Productivity

A compilation of productivity tips that we’ve gathered over the years - for everyone from beginner freelancers to seasoned small business professionals.

Man working out tax on a calculator
Running a business

Need help getting your business finances in shape? Webinar and Q&A with top tips and simple steps to get your business in good financial health.

A specialist painter
Becoming self-employed

As a freelancer, is it best to gear yourself towards being a generalist, or sell your services as a specialist? We put our tuppence in.

Woman working by the beach
Productivity

With freelancing comes great freedom including the ability to work while you are travelling. We take a closer look at so-called digital nomads.

Crunch
Running a business

Landlord's permission is necessary when you're running a business from a rental property, but they can’t say no without a ‘reasonable’ justification.

Gloassary of business terms - Crunch - image of books in a library
Running a business

Business jargon can often be complicated, especially if you're just getting started. Here's a simple glossary of business / accounting terms.

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July 7, 2023

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