Tax, VAT & MTD

Yes, once authorised, we can communicate with HMRC about your VAT affairs within the scope of our engagement.

Yes. We can help set up the records, maintain the bookkeeping and complete the required submissions as part of an agreed service.

Yes. We can prepare your VAT return from your accounting records, review it and submit it to HMRC with your approval.

Yes. We can prepare and submit your tax return, calculate the tax due and explain the payment dates clearly.

Yes. We prepare statutory accounts, explain the results and file the required documents with Companies House and HMRC for businesses with turnover up to £10m

Yes. We can review your qualifying income and circumstances and explain when you are expected to join.

Cassie can provide general guidance and explain CASS services, but personal advice requires a member of the team to review your full circumstances.

Some exemptions may be available, including where it is not reasonable or practical to use digital tools. HMRC decides exemption applications, and we can help you understand the process.

Often, yes, provided the expense is for the business, the VAT is recoverable and you hold suitable evidence. Some costs are restricted, so each case needs to be considered properly.

VAT can sometimes be reclaimed on qualifying purchases made before registration, subject to conditions and time limits. The rules differ between goods and services.

Yes. Voluntary registration can be helpful in some circumstances, but it also creates additional responsibilities. We can help you weigh up the advantages and disadvantages.

They may be reduced if your income or tax liability is genuinely expected to fall, but reducing them too far can lead to interest. We can help estimate a sensible amount.

Yes, although international VAT can be complex. We will review the facts and may recommend specialist advice where necessary.

Yes. We can explain whether sufficient profits are available, the paperwork required and the personal tax implications.

Yes. The tax treatment of mortgage interest and other finance costs depends on the ownership and type of property business, so we will review your circumstances carefully.

Absolutely. We'll recommend the option that's right for your business.

Yes. We can review historic errors and advise on the correct way to disclose or amend them.

Yes. We can help form the company and make sure the accounting and tax setup is handled properly.

Yes. We can explain the accounting and tax steps, prepare final returns and coordinate with your legal adviser where necessary.

Yes. We can discuss whether a limited company is suitable and help with formation and the initial accounting setup.

Yes, and it's more common than you'd think. We'll work out exactly what's outstanding, bring the returns up to date, deal with HMRC on your behalf and help you get penalties and interest under control. No lectures.

Yes. We regularly help clients correct historic VAT issues.

Yes. We will review the information provided and claim expenses and reliefs that are supported by the rules and appropriate evidence.

Yes. We can help you register with HMRC and make sure the right records are in place from the beginning.

We will make sure legitimate expenses, allowances and reliefs are considered and discuss sensible planning opportunities before deadlines where possible.

Yes. We can calculate gains and advise on reporting requirements for property, shares and other assets. More complex cases may require additional specialist input.

Yes. We can explain how cash accounting works and whether it suits the way your business gets paid.

Yes. CASS can support relevant Companies House identity verification requirements as an authorised corporate service provider where the service is available and appropriate.

Yes. We can help gather records, explain the figures and communicate with HMRC where we are authorised to do so.

Yes. Companies House compliance services, including confirmation statements, can be included or provided separately where agreed.

Yes. A director does not automatically need a tax return in every case, but we can check whether one is required and prepare it where necessary.

Yes. We can prepare property income figures, review allowable costs and complete the relevant parts of your return.

Yes. We can prepare the business figures, complete the tax return and help you plan for the tax due.

Absolutely. While we'll prepare your year-end accounts and the financial reports and management accounts you need, we believe your numbers should do much more than tell you what's already happened. Our Strategic Review & Insights service goes a step further by turning your financial information into meaningful insights. Alongside regular reporting, we can provide cash flow forecasts, profitability analysis, key performance indicators and strategic planning support to help you make informed decisions throughout the year. In short, we'll not only show you where your business has been—we'll help you plan where it's going next.

We'll ensure you claim all available reliefs and allowances.

Yes. We can help with the necessary HMRC registration and explain the records you need to keep.

Yes. We can help assess whether registration is needed and complete the registration process.

Yes. We can set up Xero and the related processes needed to keep suitable digital records.

Yes, we prepare and file your returns directly with HMRC.

Yes, we'll manage the submissions for you.

Yes. You will need compatible software or a suitable combination of connected software to keep digital records and submit information to HMRC.

It depends on your qualifying income from self-employment and property, and on the date your turn arrives - it is being phased in by income level rather than all at once. Our MTD checker gives you your own position and date in a couple of questions.

Possibly. Filing requirements are not based only on whether tax is due. We can check whether HMRC still expects a return.

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax can apply to qualifying property income as the rules are phased in. Whether and when it applies depends on the current qualifying-income rules.

Many small companies qualify for audit exemption, but this depends on size, group circumstances and other conditions. We can confirm whether an audit is required.

Yes. Filing is the mechanical part. The value is in what we spot while doing it — expenses being missed, a more efficient way to take income, a payment on account that could be reduced. We'll raise those things rather than wait to be asked.

Yes. Proactive tax planning is built in — we look ahead to help you structure things efficiently and avoid surprises, rather than simply reporting the bill after the year has ended.

Yes, qualifying property income is included when deciding whether and when the rules apply.

Yes, qualifying self-employment income is included when deciding whether and when the rules apply.

No. The current Income Tax rules are aimed at qualifying sole traders and landlords, rather than income earned through a limited company.

Year-end accounts mainly report what has already happened. Business Growth and Planning uses current information, forecasts and regular conversations to help you decide what to do next.

Virtual FD is a hands-on, day-to-day finance function — reporting, cash management and board-level numbers. Business advisory is the strategic layer: regular planning, goal-setting and decision support. Many clients take advisory on its own; others combine both.

Most VAT-registered businesses submit VAT returns every three months, although alternative arrangements can apply. Your VAT periods and filing dates are shown in your VAT account.

No. VAT treatment depends on what you sell, where the customer is based and whether the supply is standard-rated, reduced-rated, zero-rated, exempt or outside the scope.

No. Ambitious small businesses and start-ups often gain the most from having an experienced sounding board and a clear plan to grow toward.

Yes. Moving to suitable software and establishing good record keeping early will make the transition much easier.

There is no single answer. We will consider tax, risk, administration, ownership and your plans before recommending a structure.

The right structure depends on tax, risk, administrative responsibilities and your longer-term plans. We can compare the options based on your circumstances.

Payments on account are advance instalments towards the following year's tax bill. They are usually based on the previous year's Income Tax and Class 4 National Insurance.

Statutory accounts are the formal annual accounts a limited company must prepare in the required format for shareholders, Companies House and HMRC.

The VAT registration test is based on VAT-taxable turnover, not profit. You need to monitor the relevant rolling period under the current HMRC rules rather than waiting for the year-end accounts.

You can see it yourself in about two minutes. Our pricing page asks how complicated your position is — one income source is very different from a director with property and investments — and gives you a fixed price before any work starts. No hourly meter, no email address needed, and no waiting for a quote.

HMRC may charge penalties and interest. Contact us as soon as possible so we can help complete the return and deal with any outstanding issues.

If you should have registered earlier, HMRC can treat the registration as effective from the date it should have happened. That can mean VAT is due on sales even if you did not charge customers VAT at the time.

Late submissions or payments can lead to penalties and interest. Contact us quickly so we can help you bring matters up to date and understand your options.

This can include employment information, self-employment or partnership figures, property income, dividends, interest, pensions and other taxable income relevant to your circumstances.

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is HMRC's system requiring affected sole traders and landlords to keep digital records, send quarterly updates and complete their annual tax reporting through compatible software.

Broadly, it is gross income from self-employment and property before expenses, combined across the relevant sources. We can help check the detailed position.

The UK VAT registration threshold is currently £90,000 of taxable turnover. Because tax rules can change, we will confirm the current position when advising you.

You need clear digital records of sales, purchases and VAT amounts, together with supporting invoices and other evidence where required.

Affected businesses and landlords need a process for maintaining the required income and expense information digitally in compatible software.

Forward it to us promptly so we can check the deadline and confirm who is responsible for the filing.

The annual accounts are financial statements showing the company's performance and financial position for the period and are prepared under the relevant accounting and company-law requirements.

For an established company, accounts are usually due nine months after the accounting period ends. Different rules can apply to first accounts, so we will confirm your deadline.

A business may be able or required to deregister when taxable activity stops or taxable turnover falls below the relevant deregistration level, subject to HMRC's rules.

It starts in phases. It applies from 6 April 2026 to qualifying sole traders and landlords with income over £50,000, from 6 April 2027 over £30,000 and from 6 April 2028 over £20,000, based on the relevant qualifying year.

Corporation Tax is usually payable nine months and one day after the end of the accounting period, although different rules apply to some larger companies.

The usual online filing deadline is 31 January following the end of the relevant tax year. We encourage clients to provide information much earlier so there is time to plan.

31 January following the end of the tax year for online filing and for paying any tax owed, with a second payment on account due 31 July if it applies to you. We aim to have your return done well before then, so you know the number in advance rather than in the last week of January.

When your taxable turnover passes the registration threshold in any rolling 12-month period — not your financial year — or when you expect to pass it in the next 30 days alone. The threshold figure changes, so check the current one before you act, and watch the rolling test: plenty of businesses cross it in a quiet year because of one busy quarter.

The main payment deadline is usually 31 January, with a possible second payment on account due on 31 July. We will explain the exact amounts and dates that apply to you.

A business will usually need to register when its taxable turnover exceeds the current registration threshold or is expected to exceed it within the relevant period. We can review your position and explain what applies.

Registration is required when the relevant conditions are met, but voluntary registration may be worthwhile earlier in some cases.

That depends on your trade, turnover, customers and spending. We can compare the available schemes and recommend the most suitable approach.

You may need one if you are self-employed, receive rental income, have untaxed income, make certain capital gains or HMRC asks you to file. We can check your circumstances.

We'll help you understand whether the rules apply to you.

No. Quarterly updates are not four full tax returns. They provide summary information during the year, followed by the annual tax reporting process.

The move to digital records and quarterly updates does not by itself change the normal Self Assessment payment dates.

Yes. We believe you should understand the figures, not simply receive a document to sign.

Absolutely. We believe understanding your figures is just as important as preparing them.

Yes. We'll prepare and submit all required filings.

Yes. Once the accounts are approved, we will submit them to Companies House within the filing deadline.

Yes. We prepare the company tax calculation and Corporation Tax return as part of the agreed year-end service.

Yes — that's the whole point of starting early. You'll have the figure and the deadline in plenty of time to set the money aside.