sole traders Archives | Taxfile https://www.taxfile.co.uk/tag/sole-traders/ Tax advice & accounting services for South London businesses & SMEs Thu, 12 Jun 2025 12:27:48 +0000 en-GB hourly 1 Lower Prices for CIS Clients – We’re on Your Side! https://www.taxfile.co.uk/2025/04/lower-prices-for-cis-clients/ Wed, 23 Apr 2025 14:20:41 +0000 https://www.taxfile.co.uk/?p=8683 Lower Prices for CIS Clients – We’re on Your Side!
At Taxfile, we understand that the cost of living is hitting everyone’s pockets. That’s why we have taken bold action to make things a little easier for our valued CIS (Construction Industry Scheme) clients earning less than £40k. We are dropping our prices like never before! Now, you can benefit from our expert services for just £220 +VAT (£264).  That’s right – we have slashed our prices by £55 to make sure you keep more of your hard-earned money where it belongs: in your pocket. Read on to learn more ...

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Stay Ahead of HMRC Compliance Checks for CIS Contractors https://www.taxfile.co.uk/2025/04/hmrc-compliance-checks-for-cis-contractors/ Wed, 23 Apr 2025 13:20:13 +0000 https://www.taxfile.co.uk/?p=8689 Stay Ahead of HMRC Compliance Checks for CIS Contractors

As the new tax year approaches, CIS contractors must prepare for the upcoming 2024/25 tax return season.  Last year we witnessed a significant increase in HMRC compliance checks delaying refunds, with many contractors being asked to provide detailed CIS pay/deduction slips and bank account transactions to verify their income.

At Taxfile, we are here to help you navigate these challenges and ensure your tax affairs are in order while offering you peace of mind with our unique HMRC investigation cover. Learn more ...

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Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: Your Friendly Guide https://www.taxfile.co.uk/2025/04/making-tax-digital-for-income-tax-friendly-guide/ Wed, 23 Apr 2025 13:16:37 +0000 https://www.taxfile.co.uk/?p=8842 Making Tax Digital for Income Tax & Self-Assessment (MTD IT): Your Friendly Guide

Tax. The very word can sometimes send shivers down your spine! But what if we told you there's a way to make things a little less… taxing? Enter Making Tax Digital for Income Tax & Self-Assessment (MTD IT)!

Now, before you click away, hear us out. This isn't about making tax more complicated. It's actually about bringing your tax admin into the digital age, which in the long run, can save you time and reduce errors. What's more, if you work through Taxfile, it could also save you money! Think of it as upgrading from paper maps to Google Maps for your finances!

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Demystifying the SA302: Your Tax Summary Explained https://www.taxfile.co.uk/2024/03/sa302-tax-summary-explained/ Mon, 25 Mar 2024 10:13:21 +0000 https://www.taxfile.co.uk/?p=8032 Demystifying the SA302: Your Tax Summary Explained

by Faiz at Taxfile

An SA302 is a document issued by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) that summarizes your income tax calculation for a specific tax year. It shows how your tax bill was arrived at, including your income from various sources, any deductions and allowances, and the final amount of tax owed or refunded. In today's guide, we explain why your SA302 is important, how and where to get a copy of it, and why it's important to check tax returns and avoid errors.

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Setting Up for Making Tax Digital https://www.taxfile.co.uk/2024/02/setting-up-for-making-tax-digital/ Thu, 22 Feb 2024 17:15:51 +0000 https://www.taxfile.co.uk/?p=7863 Setting Up for Making Tax Digital - Bookkeeping, Record-Keeping Etc

by Sue at Taxfile.

Whether you’re new to self-employment and have just started to run your own business, or have been doing it for a while – the fact is: Making Tax Digital (‘MTD’) is coming and it would be best to get set up in the right way, now. In today's post, we explain everything you need to know about setting up for MTD including bookkeeping, which records to keep, taking cash and card payments for sales — and more. Take a look!

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Understanding Basis Period Reform for Self-Assessment Tax in the UK https://www.taxfile.co.uk/2023/12/basis-period-reform-for-self-assessment-tax-uk/ Thu, 21 Dec 2023 15:25:21 +0000 https://www.taxfile.co.uk/?p=7360 Understanding Basis Period Reform for Self-Assessment Tax in the UK

Are you a sole trader or in a partnership? 

Do you have different accounting dates from the standard 6th of April to the 5th of Apri?

If you answered YES to both questions, some IMPORTANT changes will apply for the tax year 2023-24.

The concept of the basis period determines the time frame used to calculate taxable profits or losses for self-employed individuals, partnerships, and some trusts.  It marks a departure from the traditional "current year" basis, where business profits were taxed based on the accounting period ending within the tax year. Instead, it introduces a "tax year" basis, aligning taxable profits with the UK's standard tax year, running from 6 April to 5 April.

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SEISS: The 5th & Final Round https://www.taxfile.co.uk/2021/07/seiss-the-5th-final-round/ Tue, 13 Jul 2021 08:53:03 +0000 https://www.taxfile.co.uk/?p=5999 HMRC has already started contacting possible eligible sole traders and partnerships for the 5th and final Self Employed Income Support Scheme grant announced by the Government last year. HMRC’s online access for applications is due to open later this month (July) and the grant will cover the period 1st May 2021 through to 30th September […]

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Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD IT). Are you ready? https://www.taxfile.co.uk/2020/09/making-tax-digital-for-income-tax-self-assessment-mtdfitsa-are-you-ready/ Tue, 01 Sep 2020 12:52:52 +0000 https://www.taxfile.co.uk/?p=4534 The Government has now pencilled in what they regard as a firm date to implement MTD for IT, for all landlords and business owners that have an income above £10,000. The next accounting period starting on or after 06/04/2023 that meet the above mentioned criteria will need to be compiled & submitted via MTD-compatible software. […]

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Making Tax Digital – A New Time Line https://www.taxfile.co.uk/2020/07/making-tax-digital-a-new-time-line/ Tue, 28 Jul 2020 12:41:03 +0000 https://www.taxfile.co.uk/?p=4348 Making Tax Digital (‘MTD’) was announced as the new initiative by HMRC to revolutionise and modernise the tax system in the UK. MTD centres around keeping digital financial records that can then be accessed by software to calculate and submit taxes through to HMRC. The goal is that there will be direct ‘digital link’ between the financial […]

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Big Changes Coming to the Tax System https://www.taxfile.co.uk/2016/11/cash-basis-tax-system-from-2018/ Mon, 21 Nov 2016 09:15:54 +0000 http://www.taxfile.co.uk/?p=2165 Tax reforms coming in 2018

Starting on 1 April 2018, a brand new tax system, one that will affect most business owners in the UK, will begin to roll out. Whether you're a landlord, are working for yourself as a sole trader or have a limited company, the changes will affect you.

So what's happening?

Instead of a once-a-year tax return, HMRC will require quarterly profit and loss information. So, that's four times a year. For Taxfile clients, that means we'll need to know all your income and expenses during every quarter so that we can make the necessary financial data available, on your behalf, to HMRC. As well as your bank statements, we'll need to see receipts for the expenses, whether they're provided physically or via a suitable electronic medium (there are plenty of apps and software packages for this purpose). Once we have everything for the quarter in question, we will be able to make sure that you're claiming for all the allowable expenses that you are eligible for and aren't claiming for things that you shouldn't, so that your figures are absolutely correct.

If you don't file in time there could be an HMRC penalty, so letting Taxfile handle your quarterly reporting will help to keep you on track seamlessly when the new changes come into force. We'll be able to confirm our own pricing nearer the time but it's likely to be circa just £75 per quarter, excluding VAT.

A 'cash basis' system

The new tax system will be known as a 'Cash Basis' system and will also allow tax to be paid to HMRC on a pay-as-you-go (PAYG) basis. Essentially, it means that businesses need only calculate their profits based on receipts and payments, which is far more straight forward than the more complex system that currently exists. When integrated into the Government's new 'digital tax accounts', the system will really help to simplify tax, make budgeting and cash-flow easier through near real-time reporting and eventually remove the need for the traditional tax return at the end of the year — that'll eventually be the case for virtually everyone. As an added bonus it'll also mean that business owners keep more on top of their bookkeeping and thereby avoid a last minute scramble to update records. Taxpayers will also be able to see a complete financial picture of their tax affairs in the one place — their digital account — and all their liabilities and entitlements will be clear to see and manage more effectively than ever.

Taxfile

Nearer the time the changes come into place, Taxfile will be there to help its customers adapt to the new system and between us we'll make sure that it's easy and hassle-free. We'll be able to

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