Free business debt advice: what should you prepare before the first call?

26 October 2026

Businesses & Employers Hub

Start by finding an adviser who can help with your type of business, then gather the latest figures and letters you have. GOV.UK lists routes to free, confidential and independent debt advice, with separate signposting for Scotland and Northern Ireland.^[1] Ask the service whether it handles business debts before booking a conversation.

You do not need to choose a debt solution before asking for help. This guide offers preparation prompts for small-business owners, not financial or legal advice. Its purpose is to help you explain the situation and leave the first conversation knowing what to do next.

Find the right conversation for your business

When contacting a service, say where you live, where the business operates and whether you are a sole trader, partner or limited-company director. Ask whether it can advise on your circumstances or refer you to somebody who can. Avoid assuming that a service dealing with household bills also handles company debts.

For Scotland, mygov.scot specifically identifies Business Debtline Scotland and Citizens Advice Scotland as sources of free, independent business debt advice.^[3] Elsewhere, use the GOV.UK debt-advice directory and its nation-specific links as a starting point, then check the service’s scope directly.^[1]

If you run a limited company, explain that at the outset. GOV.UK separates limited-company debt options and director duties within its business-debt guidance.^[4] Ask which specialist should review the position before you make decisions about payments, borrowing or the company’s future. A general article cannot assess those decisions for you.

Put the current paperwork in one place

Consider making a folder for the conversation, on paper or on your own device. Include recent account statements, tax correspondence and the latest letters or emails about money owed. Keep the dates visible. If you cannot find something, note the gap rather than delaying contact until the folder is perfect.

Make a working record of each amount you believe is outstanding, who is asking for payment and any reference number. Mark figures as estimates where necessary. Ask the adviser what else they need and how to send documents securely before sharing them.

Include paperwork you do not understand. If a letter mentions court action, enforcement or a deadline, tell the service when you first make contact and ask how urgently it needs attention. Do not try to interpret unfamiliar wording from the heading alone.

Separate today’s figures from money you hope will arrive

Try preparing a short picture of the coming weeks. Write down what is available now, what you expect to receive and when regular bills fall due. Put an unpaid customer invoice in a different column from money already received, so the adviser can see the distinction.

Describe any uncertainty plainly. Perhaps a customer has promised payment without a date, or a regular order has not been confirmed. Rather than filling the gap with your best-case forecast, bring both the expected figure and the reason it might change.

Ask the adviser how to present business and household finances for your particular circumstances. Bring any existing budget or forecast, even if it is unfinished. The useful preparation is an honest starting point that somebody can question, not a polished spreadsheet that hides the missing information.

Raise tax arrears as a separate question

If tax is part of the problem, have the relevant HMRC correspondence available. GOV.UK says that someone unable to pay a tax bill in full may be able to arrange instalments; HMRC checks whether a payment plan is affordable, so agreement is not automatic.^[2]

Write down which bill you are discussing and any payment date shown. Tell the adviser about other commitments before deciding what you could offer. Ask how a proposed arrangement would fit the rest of your position rather than looking at that tax bill in isolation.

Use the official HMRC guidance to find the next step, not a payment link in an unexpected message. Keep a note of any conversation and request clarification if you do not understand what has been agreed. Do not describe a plan as confirmed while you are still waiting for an answer.

Leave with a manageable next step

Before the conversation ends, ask what needs doing first, who will do it and when you should get back in touch. If several options have been discussed, ask for a plain explanation of what further information is needed before any recommendation can be made.

Consider writing the agreed actions on one page. Note which documents you need to find, which contacts you need to make and which questions remain unanswered. Check that you understand any deadlines rather than relying on a hurried note taken halfway through the call.

For today, find a suitable advice service and gather the latest correspondence. Tell them about anything time-sensitive when you make contact. You can explore more practical information for your organisation through the MH360 Businesses & Employers hub.