Accounting & tax guides
Plain-English answers on tax, registration and running a UK business — written and reviewed by Polina, a qualified accountant (AAT · ICB · ACIPP).
How Much Does an Accountant Cost for a Sole Trader? (UK 2026)
What does an accountant cost for a sole trader in the UK? Real 2026 prices — from ~£150 for a Self Assessment to £60–£150/month — and what changes the figure.
Accountant Fees for Small Business: What You'll Really Pay in the UK (2026)
How much does an accountant cost for a UK small business? Real 2026 price ranges for sole traders, limited companies and contractors — plus the hidden fees to watch for.
How to Change Accountants: A Simple UK Guide (2026)
How to change accountants in the UK — when to switch, the step-by-step process, what it costs, and how to deal with exit fees. Easier than you think.
How to Choose an Accountant for Your Small Business (UK 2026)
How to choose an accountant for your UK small business in 2026: the qualifications to look for, the red flags to avoid, and the exact questions to ask before you hire.
Is It Worth Getting an Accountant for a Small Business? (UK 2026)
Is it worth getting an accountant? For most UK small businesses, yes — a good one usually saves more than they cost. Honest 2026 cost-vs-benefit guide.
How Much Does an Accountant Cost for a Limited Company? (UK 2026)
Real 2026 UK prices for limited company accountants — year-end accounts, Corporation Tax, monthly packages, payroll and VAT — plus what should be included.
When Do I Need an Accountant? (UK Small Business Guide 2026)
When do I need an accountant? You're rarely required by law — but here are the clear UK trigger points (VAT, going limited, payroll, MTD) where it pays to get one.
Allowable Expenses for Landlords: What You Can Claim Against Rental Income
A clear list of allowable expenses landlords can claim to cut their rental tax bill — and the crucial difference between deductible repairs and non-deductible improvements.
Business Asset Disposal Relief: Pay Less CGT When You Sell Your Business
Business Asset Disposal Relief (formerly Entrepreneurs' Relief) cuts the Capital Gains Tax when you sell your business. Here's how it works, the rate, the £1m limit and who qualifies.
Buy-to-Let Limited Company: Should You Hold Property Through a Company?
More landlords are buying through a limited company to dodge Section 24. Here's how it works, the tax pros and cons, the costs of incorporating, and when it's actually worth it.
Capital Gains Tax Explained: Rates, Allowance & How Much You Pay (2025/26)
Capital Gains Tax is the tax on the profit when you sell an asset. Here's how it works — the £3,000 allowance, the 2025/26 rates, what's taxable, and how to reduce it.
Capital Gains Tax on Inherited Property: What You Pay When You Sell
You don't pay Capital Gains Tax to inherit a property — but you may when you sell it. Here's how the gain is worked out from the probate value, the rates, and the reliefs.
Capital Gains Tax on Rental Property: Rates, the 60-Day Rule & Reliefs
What Capital Gains Tax you pay when selling a rental property — the 18%/24% rates, the 60-day reporting deadline, the reliefs available, and the costs you can deduct.
Capital Gains Tax on Shares: What You Pay and How to Reduce It
How Capital Gains Tax works when you sell shares — the £3,000 allowance, the 18%/24% rates, what's exempt (ISAs, pensions), and legitimate ways to cut the bill.
Cash Flow Forecast: What It Is and How to Build One
A cash flow forecast predicts the money coming in and out of your business so you never get caught short. Here's what to include, how to build one, and how to use it.
CEST Explained: How to Check Your IR35 Status (and Its Limits)
CEST is HMRC's free tool for checking IR35 status. Here's how it works, how to use it, why it doesn't always give an answer, and how much weight its result really carries.
Changing from Sole Trader to Limited Company: A Step-by-Step Guide
Ready to incorporate? Here's how to change from sole trader to limited company in the UK — the steps, the tax points, what happens to your business, and when it's worth it.
Confirmation Statement: What It Is and How to File It (UK)
The confirmation statement is an annual filing every UK company must make to Companies House. Here's what it is, what it includes, the deadline, the cost, and how to file.
Director's Loan Account Explained (and the S455 Tax Trap)
What a director's loan account is, what 'overdrawn' means, the S455 tax charge on money you owe the company, the benefit-in-kind rules, and how to stay out of trouble.
Director's Salary and Dividends: The Most Tax-Efficient Way to Pay Yourself (2025/26)
How company directors pay themselves tax-efficiently — the optimal small salary plus dividends, why the mix works, and the 2025/26 thresholds that decide the best split.
Dividend Tax Explained: Rates, Allowance & How It Works (2025/26)
How dividend tax works in the UK — the £500 allowance, the 8.75%/33.75%/39.35% rates, and how dividends are taxed on top of your salary. Plain English, with examples.
Do I Need a Business Bank Account? (Sole Trader vs Limited Company)
Whether you legally need a business bank account depends on your structure. Here's the rule for sole traders vs limited companies, and why a separate account is worth it either way.
Do I Need to Do a Tax Return? (UK Self Assessment Checklist)
Not sure if you need to file a Self Assessment tax return? Here's a clear checklist of who must file — self-employment, property, dividends, high income and more.
EMI Share Options Explained: The Tax-Efficient Way to Reward Your Team
EMI options let startups give employees a tax-efficient stake in the business. Here's how the EMI scheme works, the tax advantages, and the conditions to qualify.
How Much Does an Accountant Cost in the UK? (2025/26 Fees Guide)
What does an accountant actually cost? Typical UK fees for sole traders, small businesses and limited companies, what drives the price, and whether it's worth it.
How to (Legitimately) Reduce Capital Gains Tax: 8 Ways
Eight legitimate ways to reduce your Capital Gains Tax bill — using allowances, ISAs and pensions, spousal transfers, loss harvesting, reliefs and smart timing.
How to Close a Limited Company (UK): Your Options Explained
The four ways to close a UK limited company — striking off, voluntary liquidation, making it dormant — plus the costs, the tax, and which route is right for you.
How to Register as a Sole Trader (Step-by-Step UK Guide)
Registering as a sole trader takes about 10 minutes online. Here's exactly how to do it, when you need to, the deadline, and what happens next — in plain English.
How to Set Up a Limited Company (Step-by-Step UK Guide)
Setting up a limited company takes about 24 hours and costs from £50. Here's the step-by-step process — name, directors, shares, registration and what to do next.
How to Start a Business in the UK: A Step-by-Step Guide
From idea to trading — how to start a UK business: choosing a structure, registering, tax, a business bank account and the first things to get right. Plain English.
How to Write a Business Plan (UK): Structure, Sections & Tips
A practical guide to writing a business plan that's actually useful — the sections to include, what lenders and investors look for, and the financials that matter most.
Inside vs Outside IR35: The Difference and What It Means for Your Pay
Inside or outside IR35? Here's what each means, how it changes your take-home pay, and the tests that decide which side of the line a contract falls on.
IR35 Explained: What It Is and How It Affects Contractors (2025/26)
IR35 is the off-payroll working rule that decides whether a contractor is really self-employed or a 'disguised employee'. Here's how it works, who decides, and what it costs.
Landlord Tax Explained: What You Pay on Rental Income (2025/26)
How landlord tax works in the UK — Income Tax on rental profit, the Section 24 mortgage rules, allowable expenses, and the tax when you sell. A plain-English overview.
Limited Company Accounts: What You Must File and When (UK Guide)
Every UK limited company must file statutory accounts and a Corporation Tax return each year. Here's exactly what's involved, the deadlines, and whether you can do it yourself.
Limited Company Expenses: What You Can (and Can't) Claim
A clear guide to allowable limited company expenses — from salary and pensions to home office, travel and equipment — and the costs HMRC won't let you claim.
Making Tax Digital for Landlords: What's Changing and When
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is coming for landlords. Here's who's affected, the income thresholds and start dates, what quarterly updates mean, and how to prepare.
Management Accounts Explained: What They Are and Why They Matter
Management accounts are the regular financial reports that tell you how your business is really doing — in real time, not 9 months later. Here's what they include and why they pay off.
Payments on Account Explained: Why Your Tax Bill Is Bigger Than Expected
Payments on account are advance instalments towards next year's tax bill — and they catch first-time filers out. Here's how they work, when they apply, and how to reduce them.
R&D Tax Credits Explained: How the Relief Works and Who Can Claim
R&D tax credits reward UK companies for innovation, cutting their tax bill or providing a cash payment. Here's what qualifies, how the relief works, and how to claim.
Rent a Room Scheme: Earn £7,500 Tax-Free from a Lodger (UK)
The Rent a Room Scheme lets you earn up to £7,500 a year tax-free from letting a furnished room in your home. Here's how it works, who qualifies, and when to opt out.
Section 24 Explained: The Landlord Mortgage Interest Rule
Section 24 stops landlords deducting mortgage interest and gives a 20% tax credit instead. Here's how it works, who it hits hardest, and how to reduce its impact.
SEIS and EIS Explained: Tax Relief for Startup Investment (UK)
SEIS and EIS give investors generous tax relief for backing early-stage UK companies. Here's how each scheme works, the reliefs, the limits, and how startups qualify.
Self Assessment Deadlines and Penalties (2025/26): The Dates You Can't Miss
The key Self Assessment dates — register by 5 October, file online and pay by 31 January — and exactly what the penalties cost if you're late. Plus how to avoid them.
Self Assessment Explained: What It Is and How to File (2025/26)
Self Assessment is how you report and pay tax that isn't taken automatically. Here's who needs to file, the deadlines, how to do it, and what happens if you miss it.
Sole Trader Expenses: What You Can (and Can't) Claim
A clear list of the allowable expenses sole traders can claim to cut their tax bill — from use of home and mileage to equipment — plus the costs HMRC won't allow.
Sole Trader National Insurance: Class 2 and Class 4 Explained
How National Insurance works for sole traders — Class 2 and Class 4, the thresholds and rates for 2025/26, and what it means for your State Pension.
Sole Trader Tax Return: How to File Your Self Assessment (2025/26)
A plain-English guide to filing your sole trader tax return — when to register, what to include, the deadlines, the tax you'll pay, and how to do it without the January panic.
Sole Trader VAT: When Do You Have to Register?
When does a sole trader need to register for VAT, how the £90,000 threshold works, what changes once you're registered, and whether registering voluntarily is worth it.
Sole Trader vs Limited Company: Which Is Right for You? (2025/26)
The honest comparison of sole trader vs limited company — tax, liability, admin and credibility — and the profit level where switching usually starts to pay off.
Stamp Duty on a Second Home: The 5% Surcharge Explained (2025/26)
Buying a second home or buy-to-let means an extra Stamp Duty surcharge on top of the standard rates. Here's how the second-home surcharge works, with examples.
Startup Funding Options: How to Raise Money for Your Business (UK)
The main ways UK startups raise money — bootstrapping, grants, loans, angel and VC equity, SEIS/EIS and convertible loan notes — and how to choose the right route.
Umbrella Company Explained (and Umbrella vs Limited Company)
What an umbrella company is, how it works, what you'll actually take home, the fees and pitfalls — and how it compares to running your own limited company.
What Is a UTR Number? How to Find or Get Yours (UK)
A UTR is your Unique Taxpayer Reference — the 10-digit number HMRC uses to identify you for tax. Here's what it's for, how to get one, and where to find it.
VAT Threshold 2025/26: When Do You Have to Register for VAT?
The UK VAT registration threshold is £90,000. Here's exactly how it works — the rolling 12-month rule, when you must register, voluntary registration, and what changes.
What Is Corporation Tax? Rates, Deadlines & How It Works (2025/26)
Corporation Tax is the tax limited companies pay on their profits. Here's how it works, the 19%/25% rates, marginal relief, when it's due, and how to reduce it.
What Is a Sole Trader? Meaning, Examples & How It Works (UK)
A sole trader is the simplest way to run a UK business — you and the business are legally the same. Here's how it works, the tax you pay, and when to go limited.