Understanding tax for small businesses
Reviewed by John Newth
There are a number of well-known tax guides on the market, but none of
these really cater for the needs of the tax layperson. For this reason
‘understanding tax for small businesses’ by Sarah Deeks is
a welcome addition to the vast library of published books on tax.
The book is published by Hodder Education as part of the ‘teach
yourself’ series, is a softback of about 300 pages retailing at
£9.99, and really is aimed at the individual who is not a tax specialist.
Sarah Deeks is an experienced tax writer, and more importantly is well-known
for presenting complicated issues in a user friendly way. The book is
available in all good bookshops.
The author covers all the main taxes in short readable paragraphs, as
well as dealing with stamp duty, pensions, insurance, incorporation and
closing and selling a business. Obviously Sarah does not go into technical
detail, but highlights all the relevant issues and encourages the reader
to obtain qualified professional help. Important issues like keeping good
records and providing for tax liabilities are also stressed.
The book contains a number of case studies, illustrations, tables and
checklists, and does not need an annual update, as there is space to include
updated tax rates and allowances each year.
I would recommend this book to any individual wanting to find out about
one of more aspects of the UK tax system. It would also be useful to the
non-tax specialist accountant, and would even be a useful aide-memoire
on the bookshelves of the tax specialist.
John Newth
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