Category: Self-Employed Tax
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How Much Can I Claim for Using My Home for Business?
It depends on how you choose to calculate it. You can either claim a flat rate of up to £26 a month (if you work from home for 101 hours or more per month) using HMRC’s “simplified expenses”, or you can calculate the actual proportion of your household bills that are used for business. If…
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Who is exempt from cis scheme?
You are entirely exempt from the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) if your work falls outside HMRC’s definition of construction. This includes architects, surveyors, carpet fitters, people who deliver building materials, companies that manufacture building supplies, and businesses that hire out scaffolding without providing the labour to set it up. Additionally, if you are a homeowner…
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Second Payment on Account HMRC
What is the second payment on account? If your tax bill last year was over £1,000, HMRC makes you pay this year’s tax in advance. They split this estimated bill into two equal halves. The “second payment on account” is simply the second half of that bill. For example: Let’s say your tax bill for…
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SA100 Form 2026: Everything You Need to Know for Your Self Assessment
The SA100 Form is the main Self Assessment tax return document used by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). You use it to declare the money you earned during the 2025/2026 tax year (which ran from 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026) so HMRC can calculate how much tax you owe. In short: if your…
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How to find a qualified tax advisor for sole traders
The most reliable way to find a qualified tax advisor as a sole trader is to search the official online directories of recognised professional bodies—such as the AAT (Association of Accounting Technicians)—and verify that the advisor is registered as an official tax agent with HMRC. This guarantees you are hiring someone with proven training who…
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Can your accountant call HMRC on your behalf?
Yes, your accountant can absolutely call HMRC on your behalf! However, they cannot do it automatically. Because your financial details are strictly confidential, you must first give HMRC official permission to speak to your accountant. This process is known as “authorising an agent.” Why Can’t They Just Call Right Away? HMRC has strict rules to…
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Can I share my Government Gateway ID?
You must never share your Government Gateway user ID and password with anyone. This includes your accountant, tax agent, business partner, or family members. Handing over your login details goes against HMRC rules and puts your personal data at serious risk. When you are self-employed in the UK, you already juggle a million different tasks.…
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What will accountants charge for MTD?
If you want a comprehensive service where your accountant handles the entire Making Tax Digital (MTD) process for you, expect to pay between £60 and £100 per month. The End of the Once-a-Year Tax Bill If you are self-employed in the UK, you might be used to handing over a shoebox of receipts or a…
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Can my accountant do MTD for me?
If you are self-employed in the UK, your accountant can definitely take care of Making Tax Digital (MTD) for you. You do not have to navigate the new digital tax rules or submit the new quarterly updates all by yourself. The Golden Rule: They Must Be an Authorised HMRC Agent Before your accountant can press…
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What happens if I miss an MTD deadline?
If you miss a Making Tax Digital (MTD) deadline, HMRC will give you a penalty point. Think of it like getting points on your driving licence. If you collect four points, you will be hit with a £200 fine. Every deadline you miss after that will cost you another £200. On top of this, if…