Startups and SMEs face many challenges - make sure you know how to overcome them by exploring our blogs for the latest news and insights across a range of accountancy and legal topics.
- (S)EIS Tax Relief
- Accountancy Best Practice
- Art and Luxury Assets
- Business Immigration
- Commercial Law
- Commercial Litigation
- Corporate Law
- Corporate Strategy
- EMI Share Option Scheme
- ESG Compliance
- Employment Law
- Fundraising Strategy
- Human Resources
- Intellectual Property
- Merger and Acquisition
- NFTs and Digital Trading
- R&D Tax Credits
- Startups & SME Advice
- Tax Advice
- UK Subsidiary
Sole Trader or Limited Company in the UK: Which is best for you?
Are you a sole trader that would benefit from becoming an incorporated Limited Company. This article highlights the two different types of business structures, each with their own advantages and disadvantages.
Upcoming Changes to UK R&D Tax Credits from April 2023
New R&D rate changes in 1 April 2023 greatly reduce the relief available for smaller companies but increase the relief available for large companies.
How Non-UK Companies Can Utilise the (S)EIS Scheme
In this week’s newsletter, Misha Patel our Head of Tax explore how non-UK foreign entities can utilise the benefits of (S)EIS investment scheme for startups to access funding.
Incentivising Executives: Guide to Growth Share Schemes
In this week’s newsletter, Dragon Argent continues our series looking at how to incentivise employees and executives with Growth and Non-Growth Share Schemes in the UK. Learn more.
Due Diligence in M&A transactions
Due diligence helps investors and companies understand the nature of a deal, the risks involved, and whether the deal fits with their portfolio. Our Corporate & Commercial Law Solicitor, Arvin Bissessur will be covering why due diligence is important in mergers and acquisitions process in today’s newsletter.
Unapproved Share Option Schemes
In this week’s newsletter, Dragon Argent continues our series looking at how to motivate employees, this time by summarizing unapproved option schemes, otherwise known as non tax-advantaged share options. Learn more.
Share Incentive Plan (SIP) Guide 2023
A SIP also provides a tax efficient way for employees to acquire shares but unlike other schemes this is done using an Employee Benefit Trust which holds the shares on the employee’s behalf. Learn more.
How to secure your business’ intellectual property
Intellectual property (“IP”) is a highly valuable part of a business. It can take many forms but essentially consists of intangible assets including copyrights, trade marks, patents, designs and trade secrets. Learn more how to protect your business’ Intellectual Property.
Save As You Earn (SAYE) Share Option Schemes for Employees
Save As You Earn (SAYE) Share Option Schemes for UK Employees: What you need to know? Learn more.
What the Autumn Statement Means for Startups & SMEs
Autumn Statement 2022: As the UK heads into recession the Chancellor, Jeremy Hunt, had a real balancing act to perform in the Autumn statement. Dragon Argent focus in on the key implications for founders and SMEs. Learn more.
How does a Company Share Option Plan (CSOP) Work
Starting a Company Share Option Plan (CSOP): What you need to know? A Company Share Option Plan (CSOP) is a tax-advantaged, discretionary share option plan where a company can grant CSOP options to any employee or full-time director. Learn more.
EMI Option Schemes: What you need to know
This week we will be looking in to one of the most commonly used option schemes for UK employees; the EMI Option Scheme. An EMI option Scheme is the most tax-efficient way to grant options to your UK resident employees as the Scheme is backed by HMRC. Learn more.
A Guide to Issuing Shares to Employees
One of the most common challenges that early-stage businesses face is how best to recruit and incentivise talent at a time when funds are tight. One tool that founders reach for when trying to supplement salary is the offer of equity in the business. Learn more.
UK Skilled Worker Visa: Guide and Application Process
If you wish to employ a person who is not a settled worker, or who does not otherwise have immigration permission to work for you in the UK, you will need to be authorised by the Home Office. This authorisation is known as a ‘sponsor licence’, and employers who hold a sponsor licence are known as ‘Authorised Sponsors’.
Hiring Migrant Workers in the UK
Thinking of hiring migrant workers? Here is what you need to know. The UK has revamped their immigration system to a simpler process that treats all applicants equally, regardless of where they come from. We can assist you step-by-step through each process. Learn more.
Managing the Estate and Legacy of an Artist
Artists’ estate planning gives rise to challenges with which Dragon Argent is uniquely placed to assist. We offer advice and guidance to living artists or their executors on efficient estate planning and protecting the value of both the estate and the artist’s legacy. Learn more.
Trading NFTs – do you have regulatory obligations?
With NFTs being the latest breakout stars of the asset market, more people are turning to trading and financing their NFTs (i.e., using them as collateral for loans) to strategically release capital for some other investment purpose. In this week’s newsletter our NFT Lawyer and Head of Commercial Litigation, Margherita Barbagallo goes through the current legal framework and how to effectively reduce risks for those interested in NFT trading.
Research and Development Tax Relief Changes 2023
From 1 April 2023, there are several changes to the UK R&D scheme to be implemented as a result of the 2021 Budget. We felt it useful to summarise these in this week’s newsletter with some help from our Head of Tax, Misha Patel.
Mergers and Acquisitions Transaction FAQs
In this week’s newsletter Dragon Argent are sharing quick-fire answers to some of the most common questions we receive from business owners when they begin to plan an exit from their company. Typically, these transactions fall into the category of mergers and acquisitions (M&A) and for someone exiting a business, specifically sell side M&A. Our Head of Corporate & Commercial Law, Freddie-Nicole Brace provides the answers.
Alternative Dispute Resolution for SMEs
Business disputes are unavoidable and it’s for this reason that Dragon Argent are delighted to introduce our new Head of Commercial Litigation, Margherita Barbagallo and she have shared some thoughts about why she feels it is so important for founders to focus on resolving disputes rather than using the court system.