The CASS Knowledge CentreAsk Cassie
Straight answers to the financial questions business owners actually ask — written and reviewed by the CASS team.
Meet Cassie
18 seconds on what's in the answer library and how to find what you need.
Hi, I’m Cassie! Welcome to my vault of answers. Wondering what expenses you can claim, or why you’re making a profit but there’s no money in the bank? Explore Ask Cassie for clear answers about your business finances, in plain English. Come on in. Let’s make sense of your numbers.
595 answers in the library
These answers provide general information, not advice tailored to your circumstances. Rules can change and exceptions may apply — speak to the CASS team before making a tax, accounting or financial decision.
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Many growing businesses need senior financial thinking before they have enough work to justify a full-time Finance Director. A Virtual FD can provide that input on a part-time or outsourced basis.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 29 September 2026
It depends on your qualifying income in the reference tax year: over £50,000 in 2024/25 brought you in from 6 April 2026, over £30,000 in 2025/26 from 6 April 2027, and over £20,000 in 2026/27 from 6 April 2028. Qualifying income is combined gross self-employment and property income before expenses, and exemptions and exclusions apply. Our MTD checker gives an indication from the answers you give; we confirm it against your full circumstances.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 2 October 2026
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Yes. We support business payroll of every size.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 30 October 2026
Because profit counts what you have earned and cash counts what has actually moved, and the two rarely happen in the same month. You invoice in March and get paid in May, so March looks profitable while the bank does not. Stock, equipment and loan repayments take cash out without ever touching the profit and loss, while depreciation reduces profit without taking a penny. VAT and corporation tax sit in the account looking like your money until the day they leave. A profitable business can run out of cash, and a business in a loss-making month can look comfortable — which is why both need watching, not one.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder, Cloud Accounting Support Services · Last reviewed 30 October 2026
You can move your Xero subscription back to direct billing with Xero if you decide that's what you'd prefer. Your Xero account remains yours, so you won't lose your financial records, transactions, invoices or reports simply because you change who manages the subscription. There are a few things worth knowing: Subscription pricing: Any preferential pricing or savings you receive through CASS would end, and you'd move to Xero's standard subscription pricing at that time. Billing: Once the transfer is completed, Xero would bill you directly rather than CASS. Your data: Your existing Xero organisation and accounting history would remain intact. Support: Any subscription-related support provided by CASS would no longer be included unless you have a separate support arrangement with us. We believe in giving businesses flexibility, so there's no intention to tie you into CASS simply because we manage your Xero subscription. If you decide to make the change, we'll help you understand the process and what's involved before anything happens.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder · Last reviewed 21 October 2026
Yes. Short-term letting raises questions about platform fees, refunds, private use, ownership, VAT and local requirements. Record gross bookings and deductions rather than only the payout. Using Airbnb does not automatically make the activity a trade or give it special tax reliefs. The former furnished holiday lettings tax regime ended from April 2025. CASS can assess the accounting and tax position, with legal or local-authority advice where needed.
Reviewed by Paul Barnes, Founder · Last reviewed 17 October 2026
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