Clare Marsh, accountant and founder of Her Business Counts, is calling for calm and clarity in the wake of recent tax changes, urging women business owners not to panic but to seek clear, practical advice instead of jargon.
“Women business owners deserve clear, calm guidance, not confusion,” says Marsh. “Women in business don’t need jargon, they need clarity, so that they can understand exactly what it means for them and plan with confidence.”
Clare emphasises that one of the biggest misconceptions now is that limited companies are always the most tax-efficient option. “For years, becoming a limited company was seen as the ‘smart’ move once a sole trader reached a certain income level, but that’s no longer a straightforward rule. It’s not a simple ‘hit a certain profit level and incorporate’ situation anymore, women need personalised advice before deciding, so that they can make informed decisions,” she explains.
For self-employed women, Marsh highlights a significant change buried in the detail: new self-assessment payment rules coming from 2029. “I have suspected this was coming ever since Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD ITSA) was first discussed. The government will start designing these new rules next year, so it’s not possible to say exactly how they’ll work yet, but they will affect cash flow for every sole trader. As it is phased in, business owners will need plenty of advance notice and support to navigate it.”
Clare Marsh
Clare also warns about the impact of “fiscal drag,” as frozen tax bands mean more earnings are pulled into higher tax brackets each year, often unnoticed. “Fiscal drag simply means as you increase your prices to account for inflation, your tax bill also increases, because the personal allowance and tax bands are frozen. More of your earnings get pulled into higher brackets each year,” she explains.
“This is why so many women feel like they’re ‘earning more but keeping less and they’re right,” she adds.
Clare’s message is simple: don’t panic.
“Get informed, seek advice, and give yourself time to understand the changes. You don’t have to face it alone.”
For interviews, expert comment, or more information, contact Clare Marsh at [email protected]
Her Business Counts is the UK’s go-to accounting and education platform for women who want to run profitable, confident micro-businesses without fear of the tax system. Through workshops, resources, and a supportive online community, founder Clare Marsh empowers women to understand their finances in a simple, stress-free way.
More details can be found at https://herbusinesscounts.co.uk/
