My Bookkeeping Lady

Making Tax Digital (MTD) 7 August deadline

💡 Have an innovative business idea? It could be worth up to £15,000.

If you've been developing a new product, service or technology and need funding to test its commercial potential, the Regional Innovation Challenge could help.

The competition offers proof of concept grants of up to £15,000 to support entrepreneurs at the earliest stages of turning innovative ideas into viable businesses.

📍 Businesses in the Lisburn & Castlereagh area can apply through the South Region, competing alongside applicants from neighbouring council areas.

This is a fantastic opportunity to take your idea from concept to the next stage with financial support and expert guidance.

🔗 Find out more and apply: https://www.techstartgrants.com/programme/the-regional-innovation-challenge

£7,500 Grant Funding 💷 ⚠️ Applications close 12 noon, Thursday 30 July 2026. Miss it and the money's gone.

Need finance to start or grow your business?

The Go Succeed NI team is hosting Accessing Finance for Establishing Start Ups, an online workshop for small business owners, entrepreneurs and start-ups across Northern Ireland.

This session will help you better understand finance options, assess what funding you may need, check eligibility, explore alternative finance sources and prepare stronger applications.

Led by Peter Hollingsworth, an experienced business adviser with over 20 years’ experience supporting entrepreneurs.

📅 Monday 14 September 2026
🕧 12:30pm to 2:00pm
📍 Online via Microsoft Teams

Book your place: cutt.ly/lyqLvY5W

Funding schemes currently open under the Support for Individual Artists Programme

🔵Major Individual Artists Awards
📅Application deadline: 12noon, 20th July 2026

🔵Project Funding for Individual Artists
📅Application deadline: 12noon, 30th July 2026

🔵Artists’ International Development Fund
📅Application deadline: 12noon, 30th July 2026

🔵Creative Progression
📅Application deadline: 12noon, 20th August 2026

Visit https://artscouncil-ni.org/funding/funding-for-individuals for more information and to apply.

Rural Business Grants

Are you eligible?

This grant is designed to support rural micro-businesses across Northern Ireland to sustain, survive and grow.

You can apply if your business:
✔ Is based in a rural area (under 5,000 population)
✔ Employs fewer than 10 staff
✔ Is actively trading
✔ Has (or will obtain) business insurance

👉 Check your eligibility and register for a workshop: www.derrystrabane.com/ruralgrants

Did you know that NICVA members can access a FREE one-hour fundraising advice clinic to discuss your specific fundraising needs?

These popular, free clinics allow you to discuss your most pressing funding needs and receive follow-on support.

These can be arranged by contacting Jocelyn Horton, Fundraising Advice Officer ([email protected]) or book one of the slots available on the dates below:

30 September 2026 - 10:00am to 1:00pm - https://champ.ly/m8_JLNzD
25 November 2026 - 10:00am to 1:00pm - https://www.nicva.org/events/fundraising-clinics-202627-1
20 January 2027 - 10:00am to 1:00pm - https://www.nicva.org/events/fundraising-clinics-202627-2
31 March 2027 - 10:00am to 1:00pm - https://www.nicva.org/events/fundraising-clinics-202627-3

Not a member? It's easy to join us. https://www.nicva.org/join-us

Don't forget. If your organisation's income is under £20,000 a year, your membership is free.

Thinking about becoming a Living Wage employer?

The real Living Wage is a voluntary rate based on the real cost of living. Paying it can help demonstrate your commitment to fair pay while supporting recruitment, retention and staff wellbeing.

Our new guide explains:

• What the real Living Wage is
• How it differs from the National Living Wage
• The benefits of paying the real Living Wage
• How to become a real Living Wage employer through accreditation

Find out more 👇

Advice NI | Living Wage UK

Self Assessment | Payments on account 31 July deadline

HMRC is reminding Self Assessment taxpayers to prepare for the 2025 to 2026 tax year's second payments on account 31 July deadline.

Payments on account are payments towards your next tax bill (including Class 4 National Insurance if you’re self-employed). They help spread the cost of your tax by making payments in two instalments. Each payment is half of the tax you owed last year.

You must make these two payments, unless either:

- the amount of tax you owed last year was less than £1,000
- last year you paid more than 80% of the tax you owed outside of Self Assessment (for example, through your tax code or because your bank had already deducted interest on your savings)

Your Self Assessment statement or online account will show you how much they are, if you need to pay them.

Find out more - link in the first comment.