Accounting Blog

This plain-English guide explains UK Self Assessment deadlines, tax years, registration rules, and payment dates. Learn when to file paper or online returns, avoid late penalties, understand payments on account, and plan ahead to reduce stress, stay compliant with HMRC, and manage your tax obligations confidently.

Accounting mistakes are common for small UK businesses due to time pressure, complex tax rules, and inconsistent processes. This practical guide explains the most frequent errors, from VAT and payroll issues to poor record-keeping and cashflow confusion, and shows how simple routines can prevent costly problems.

Discover how much an accountant really costs for UK sole traders. This guide explains typical fee ranges, pricing models, and what’s included, from simple tax returns to full support with VAT, payroll, and CIS. Learn how to compare quotes, reduce fees, and choose good-value accounting support for your business needs.

Learn which UK sole trader expenses you can legally claim to reduce taxable profits. This guide explains the “wholly and exclusively” rule, how to handle mixed-use costs, and when to use simplified expenses. Covers office, home working, travel, vehicles, insurance, marketing, IT, training, and common non-allowable items.

Do you need an accountant as a sole trader in the UK? This guide explains what accountants actually do, when hiring one is worthwhile, when you can manage alone, common mistakes to avoid, typical costs, and how to decide based on your income, complexity, and confidence.

Understand what HMRC means by business records and why they matter. This guide explains which documents small businesses must keep, from sales and expenses to VAT, payroll and assets, how long to retain them, and how good record keeping supports compliance, cash flow, decisions and stress-free HMRC checks and audits.

Making Tax Digital (MTD) is HMRC’s move toward digital tax reporting for UK businesses and sole traders. This plain-English guide explains what MTD is, which taxes it covers, how it affects sole traders, and how digital records, software, and quarterly updates may change everyday business admin.

Small business owners often worry about HMRC investigations. In reality, most contact involves routine compliance checks, queries, or targeted reviews rather than full enquiries. This guide explains how often checks happen, what triggers HMRC attention, the types of reviews businesses face, and practical steps to reduce risk and stress overall.

Understand allowable expenses for UK freelancers and how they reduce your tax bill. This practical guide explains the “wholly and exclusively” rule, common claimable costs, apportionment for mixed use, and frequent pitfalls, helping sole traders and limited company freelancers claim confidently while staying compliant.