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Tax rates and tax thresholds

We've scoured the web to get you the most up-to-date advice which includes the most useful tools on offer from the officials themselves.

Business tax planning

Effective tax planning is essential if you are to minimise your tax bills. Simple tax planning can significantly reduce your tax liabilities.

Tax self-assessment

The self-assessment tax return is an unavoidable burden if you are liable for self-employed tax or have complicated income tax affairs.

Corporation tax

Corporation tax is charged on a company's profits. If you trade as a limited company, ensure that paying this tax is as painless as possible.

National Insurance

National Insurance Contributions (NICs) are payable whether you are self-employed or employed by your own company, although different rates apply.

Payroll and benefits

As well as your legal obligations, you’ll want to ensure that payroll is painless and that you use any opportunities to improve your tax-efficiency.

VAT

Effective VAT planning aims to ensure that VAT is relatively painless, and that you are reclaiming as much as possible of the VAT you pay.

Capital gains

Capital gains are made when you sell something for more money than you paid for it. As a result, you can be subject to tax. Take professional advice.

Commercial property taxes

Business property taxes apply to businesses with commercial premises.There are two commercial property taxes: business rates and stamp duty land tax.

Tax problems and investigations

If you have tax problems or face a tax investigation, it pays to seek professional advice and you must act rather than just hoping for the best.

VAT

Details of the VAT you charge customers and pay HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) are provided using the VAT return. UK VAT-registered businesses must complete VAT returns and pay any VAT due to HMRC.

VAT return basics

The VAT return summarises your sales and purchases and the VAT relating to them. All the information you need should be in your VAT records.

The VAT return includes your sales total (excluding VAT) and output tax - the VAT you charged on these sales and which needs to be paid to HMRC. This also includes VAT due on any other taxable transactions, for example, if you barter goods or take them for personal use.

The VAT return also includes details of your total purchases (excluding VAT) and input tax -the VAT you have paid and can reclaim. If you make any sales that are exempt from VAT, you will not usually be able to reclaim all the VAT you have paid. Other purchases where you cannot usually reclaim VAT include most car purchases. You can't reclaim VAT if you do not have a VAT invoice to prove you paid it.

Summary of any trade with other European Union (EU) countries must also be recorded on the VAT return. UK companies can generally reclaim VAT on imports from the EU, but VAT is charged and accounted for differently.

VAT returns must be submitted online. You must register with HMRC VAT online and use either their software or suitable commercial software - unless your accountant files your VAT return for you.

Since April 2016 all UK small businesses have had an online personal tax account. You can view your tax transactions across the range of business taxes including Self Assessment, Corporation Tax, VAT and PAYE for employers and to make payments at any time.

Tax points, VAT periods and VAT returns

UK VAT-registered businesses complete a VAT return for each VAT period. VAT periods are typically quarterly, though you can ask for a non-standard VAT period. For example, a business that regularly reclaims VAT from HM Revenue & Customs might boost its cash flow by completing monthly VAT returns. UK businesses can also ask for quarterly VAT periods that match their financial years. Smaller businesses can simplify their VAT accounting by opting for the annual accounting scheme.

Your VAT return summarises all the transactions that took place during that VAT period. For VAT purposes, the transaction date is determined by the 'tax point'. The tax point is normally, but not always, the date on the VAT invoice. However, if:

  • there is no VAT invoice (eg with typical retail sales), the tax point is normally the date of supply
  • payment is made in advance, the tax point is the earlier of the date of payment and the invoice date
  • the VAT invoice is issued more than 14 days after the date of supply, the tax point is the date of supply

There are special tax point rules for situations such as part payments, in some industries and for some VAT accounting schemes. You may want to take advice to ensure you understand what tax point to put on VAT invoices you issue and what to include in your VAT return.

Online VAT returns are due one month and seven days after the end of the VAT period. Payment of any VAT owed is due at the same time, although HMRC will collect direct debit payments three days later.You can work out your VAT payment deadline using the GOV.UK calculator.

Different deadlines apply to the annual accounting scheme and for larger businesses which must make payments on account.