What you hand over
- Your sales and purchase records for the VAT period, ideally in cloud software
- Details of any imports, exports or sales to other countries
- Your VAT registration number and current scheme
What we do
- Tell you when you must register, and whether registering voluntarily makes sense
- Compare the standard, Flat Rate, Cash Accounting and Annual Accounting schemes for you
- Calculate and check your VAT return
- File it with HMRC using MTD-compatible software
- Set up MTD for Income Tax and send your quarterly updates
When do you have to register for VAT?
You must register if your VAT-taxable turnover over the last 12 months goes over the threshold (£90,000 at the time of writing), or you expect it to in the next 30 days alone. It's a rolling 12-month test, not your financial year, so it's easy to miss. We can keep an eye on it for you.
VAT returns and payment
Most businesses file quarterly. The return and payment are due one month and seven days after the end of each VAT period. All VAT-registered businesses must keep digital records and file through MTD-compatible software.
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
From 6 April 2026, sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000 (the total of self-employment and property income, before expenses) have to keep digital records, send HMRC a summary every quarter, and file a final declaration by 31 January. The threshold drops to £30,000 from April 2027 and £20,000 from April 2028.
Quarterly updates are due on 7 August, 7 November, 7 February and 7 May. We can set up the software, keep the records and send the updates for you.
Key dates
- 1 month + 7 days
VAT return and paymentAfter the end of each VAT period.
- 7 Aug · 7 Nov · 7 Feb · 7 May
MTD for Income Tax quarterly updatesStandard quarters.
- 31 January
MTD final declarationReplaces the Self Assessment return for those in MTD.
Common questions
Will MTD for Income Tax apply to me?
It depends on your gross self-employment and property income, not your profit. If it's over £50,000 you're already in from April 2026, over £30,000 you'll be in from April 2027, and over £20,000 from April 2028. Call us and we'll check.
Should I register for VAT voluntarily?
Sometimes it helps, for example if most of your customers are VAT-registered businesses or you have large start-up costs. Sometimes it doesn't. We'll go through the figures with you.
Tax information on this page reflects the rules as at November 2026. Rates, thresholds and dates change, so please talk to us before acting on it.