Notes for business owners.
Practical guides from the practice. Rules and rates change, so check the date on each note and talk to us before acting on it.
Most read
- Bookkeeping & feesHow Much Does an Accountant Cost in London? (2026 Guide for Small Businesses)
- Cloud accountingCloud Accounting vs Traditional: The Future of Business Finance in London
- Cloud accountingDo I Still Need an Accountant if I Use Accounting Software like QuickBooks or Xero
- How-to guidesHMRC Self Assessment Login: How to Sign In, Recover Your Details and Fix Common Errors
- How-to guidesWhat Is a UTR Number? How to Find or Get Your Unique Taxpayer Reference
All notes
- Bookkeeping & feesHow Much Does an Accountant Cost in London? (2026 Guide for Small Businesses)What London accountants charge in 2026: hourly rates, monthly packages, Self Assessment and limited company fees, and how to tell a fair quote from an expensive one.
- Cloud accountingCloud Accounting vs Traditional: The Future of Business Finance in LondonCloud accounting compared with traditional bookkeeping for UK small businesses: cost, access, security, Making Tax Digital and when each one makes sense.
- Cloud accountingDo I Still Need an Accountant if I Use Accounting Software like QuickBooks or XeroWhat accounting software does well, where it falls short, and the jobs a UK accountant still does for you: tax planning, year-end accounts, HMRC and VAT.
- How-to guidesHMRC Self Assessment Login: How to Sign In, Recover Your Details and Fix Common ErrorsHow to log in to HMRC Self Assessment: where to sign in, what you need, two-step verification, recovering a lost Government Gateway ID and common errors.
- How-to guidesWhat Is a UTR Number? How to Find or Get Your Unique Taxpayer ReferenceFind a lost UTR number or apply for one, with direct links to HMRC. Where your 10-digit UTR appears, how long it takes, and personal vs company UTRs.
- How-to guidesGovernment Gateway User ID: How to Create, Find and Recover ItYour Government Gateway user ID is the 12-digit number for signing in to HMRC. How to create one, find it, recover it, and how GOV.UK One Login fits in.
- How-to guidesTax Codes Explained: What 1257L Means and How to Check Yours Is RightWhat your tax code means: 1257L, BR, D0, K codes and emergency codes W1 and M1, why codes change, and how to check and correct yours with HMRC.
- How-to guidesHMRC Personal Tax Account: What It Shows and How to Set One UpThe HMRC personal tax account shows your tax code, income, National Insurance record and refunds online. How to set it up and what you can do with it.
- How-to guidesHow to Register for Self Assessment: Deadlines, Forms and What Happens NextWho must register for Self Assessment, the 5 October deadline, the CWF1, SA1 and SA401 routes, what HMRC sends afterwards, and late registration penalties.
- How-to guidesSA302 Tax Calculation: What It Is and How to Get It for a MortgageAn SA302 is HMRC's summary of your income and tax for a year. Why lenders ask for it, how to print it from your HMRC account, and the tax year overview.
- How-to guidesHow to Pay Your Self Assessment Tax Bill: Deadlines, Methods and Payment PlansWhen Self Assessment tax is due, every way to pay HMRC, the UTR plus K reference, how to set up a Time to Pay arrangement, and what late payment costs.
- How-to guidesPayments on Account Explained: How They Work, a Worked Example and How to Reduce ThemPayments on account are advance payments towards next year's Self Assessment bill. Who pays them, how they are worked out, and when you can reduce them.
- How-to guidesHow to Claim a Tax Refund from HMRC: P800s, Work Expenses and Self Assessment RepaymentsHow to claim a tax refund from HMRC: P800 letters, your personal tax account, work expenses and uniform relief, Self Assessment repayments and time limits.
- VAT & Making Tax DigitalMaking Tax Digital for Income Tax: Who Must Join, When, and How to PrepareMTD for Income Tax began 6 April 2026 for sole traders and landlords over £50,000. Who joins when, quarterly updates, software, penalties, how to prepare.
- How-to guidesCompany Authentication Code: How to Find or Request YoursWhat the Companies House authentication code is, where to find it, how to request a new one online, how long it takes, and how to keep it safe.
- Running a limited companyDividend Payments: A Comprehensive 2026 UK Guide to Paying Yourself from a Limited CompanyDividends from a Limited Company UK represent one of the most tax-efficient methods to remunerate yourself while retaining compliance.
- Running a limited companyWhat Expenses Can You Claim as a Limited Company Director? (2026 UK Guide)Every expense a UK limited company director can claim in 2026: home office, travel, phone, pension, equipment, training and the rules HMRC applies.
- Cloud accountingThe World of Cloud-Based Accounting: A Guide for London BusinessesThis guide explores everything London-based businesses need to know about cloud accounting, with an emphasis on finding the right Cloud-Based Accountant in Lo
- TaxMastering Self Assessment 2026: A Comprehensive Guide for UK Business OwnersMaster the intricacies of Self Assessment 2026 with our comprehensive guide designed for UK business owners to navigate tax laws confidently.
- Running a limited companyDirector’s Loan Account Explained: How to Avoid S455 Tax and HMRC Penalties (2026/27)What a director’s loan account is, the 33.75% S455 charge on overdrawn balances, the nine-month rule, benefit in kind and how to repay without penalties.
- TaxThe Impacts of Autumn Budget 2025 for SMEsThe Autumn Budget 2025 has introduced changes affecting how small and medium-sized enterprises operate across the United Kingdom.
- VAT & Making Tax Digital5 Common VAT Return Mistakes UK Entrepreneurs Make and How to Steer Clear of ThemThis article explores common VAT Return Mistakes UK entrepreneurs make, how these errors impact businesses, and strategies to avoid such pitfalls.
- Bookkeeping & feesBookkeeping in London: A Simple Guide for Small Business Owners in 2025This comprehensive guide explores everything London-based entrepreneurs need to know about Bookkeeping in London in 2025, from basic principles to advanced st
- Running a limited companyLeveraging Director Pensions for a Tax-Efficient Strategy in 2026/27: A Guide for UK Business OwnersDirector Pensions Tax Efficiency is a critical consideration for UK business owners in 2026/27, offering powerful financial planning tools for entrepreneurs.
- Bookkeeping & feesKeeping Ahead: Accounting Deadlines It’s Crucial For London Businesses To KnowAccounting deadlines in London are essential for businesses to navigate to ensure growth and avoid penalties.
- TaxNavigating the Intricacies of Dividend Taxation in the UKThis guide delves into Dividend Taxation UK, offering insights into current rates, allowances, and strategic tax planning approaches.
- Tax10 Essential Tax Tips for London-Based Small Businesses in 2025Practical tax tips for London small businesses can optimise finances and ensure compliance with HMRC regulations in 2025.
- Running a limited companyUnlocking Business Benefits: What Expenses Can You Claim as a Limited Company in the UK?Proper management of your expenses claim for a Limited Company in the UK can significantly reduce your corporation tax liability.
- Running a limited companyUnderstanding the ABCs: What Expenses You Can Claim as a UK Limited CompanyUnderstanding what limited company expenses you can claim is essential for tax efficiency and bottom line improvement.
- Cloud accountingRevolutionising Accounting: 5 Ways AI is Transforming Small Business Accounting in the UKHow AI now handles bookkeeping, receipt capture, cash flow forecasts and HMRC compliance for UK small businesses, and what still needs an accountant.
- Running a limited companyMost Tax-Efficient Way to Pay Yourself as a Director in 2026/27 (UK Guide)Structuring your income in the most tax-efficient way can help reduce your tax liability and maximise take-home pay.
- VAT & Making Tax DigitalUntangling the Complexity of VAT for UK Small Business OwnersUntangling VAT for UK small business: this guide offers practical advice on VAT schemes, HMRC regulations, and leveraging benefits.
- VAT & Making Tax DigitalThe Essential Guide to Making Tax Digital for UK Business OwnersExplore the Essential Guide to Making Tax Digital, a significant transformation making UK tax administration easier and efficient.
- VAT & Making Tax DigitalUnderstanding Making Tax Digital (MTD) for VAT and how it affects your UK-based businessExplore Making Tax Digital for VAT requirements and strategies crucial for maintaining tax compliance and avoiding penalties.
