Accounting for small businessesthat want to stay small on admin.

• Set up or tidy your Xero or QuickBooks account and connect bank feeds
• Keep the bookkeeping up to date weekly, monthly or quarterly
• Prepare and file year-end accounts and the Corporation Tax return, or your Self Assessment if you are a sole trader
• Register you for VAT at the right time and file quarterly returns under Making Tax Digital
• Run payroll and workplace pension submissions for you and any staff
• Send a short monthly summary of profit, cash and what is owed to HMRC
• Remind you of every deadline and what we need before it
• Answer the questions that come up between year ends, without a clock running

VAT registration threshold

You must register once taxable turnover passes £90,000 in any rolling 12 months. Registering voluntarily below that can suit businesses whose customers are VAT registered.

Corporation Tax rates

Companies pay 19% on profits up to £50,000 and 25% from £250,000, with marginal relief between the two. The effective rate on each extra pound in that band is 26.5%.

Employment Allowance

Employers with at least one employee paid above the secondary threshold can reduce employer's National Insurance by up to £10,500 a year. Companies where the director is the only employee cannot claim it.

Annual Investment Allowance

Spending on most plant, equipment and computers qualifies for 100% relief in the year of purchase, up to £1 million. Cars are treated differently.

Payments on account

Sole traders with a Self Assessment bill over £1,000 pay half of next year's estimated tax in advance, on 31 January and 31 July. The first year can feel like paying one and a half years at once.

Rules and rates are those in force for 2026/27 at the time of writing. Check your own position before acting.