We prepare Self Assessment tax returns for sole traders and partners in partnerships where we also provide the bookkeeping service. By working from bookkeeping records that we maintain ourselves, we can ensure your figures are accurate, up to date and fully supported before the return is submitted.

This approach helps reduce errors, avoids unnecessary back-and-forth, and gives you a more joined-up service throughout the year.

Some business owners handle their own bookkeeping, particularly early on. Over time, we often see problems caused by errors, missed deadlines or misunderstandings around HMRC rules.

A professional bookkeeper helps keep records accurate, compliant and properly supported from the outset — reducing risk, avoiding costly fixes later, and freeing up your time to focus on running the business.

Good bookkeeping requires up-to-date knowledge of:

• Double-entry accounting
• Balance sheets and financial reporting
• VAT rules and schemes
• HMRC rules on allowable business expenses

These rules change regularly, which is why professional support matters.

In simple terms, bookkeeping is about getting the day‑to‑day numbers right, while accounting looks at those numbers at the year end.

At Jack B Bookkeeping, we handle the recording and organising of your financial transactions, deal with queries as they arise, and keep your records accurate and up to date. Your accountant then uses this information to prepare statutory accounts and tax returns. Solid bookkeeping makes everything else easier.

We keep things efficient and straightforward using cloud software, secure document sharing and clear processes.

Typically, you will:

• Raise your own sales invoices (we'll show you how)
• Send us purchase invoices and receipts via an app, email or photos from your phone

From there, we manage the bookkeeping and keep everything running smoothly.

Communication is tailored to your needs. We stay in touch as required to handle queries and updates, without unnecessary noise.

This may include:

• Telephone support when needed
• Prompt email responses
• Ongoing check-ins as your bookkeeping progresses

In the UK, bookkeeping is a regulated profession. A legitimate bookkeeper must either be supervised by HMRC or hold a practice licence with a recognised professional body, such as the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB).

All practising bookkeepers must also be registered for anti-money laundering (AML) supervision. This is a legal requirement and means we are required to carry out due diligence and identity checks on new clients before starting work.

Jack B Bookkeeping holds a current practice licence with the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB), so our work and standards are independently regulated and monitored.

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (often called MTD for IT or MTD ITSA) is HMRC's new way of collecting Income Tax information from UK sole traders and landlords. Instead of pulling everything together once a year, you'll keep digital records and send regular updates to HMRC using approved software. It's a change in process, not a change in how much tax you pay.

HMRC is introducing MTD for Income Tax in stages accross the UK based on your qualifying gross income:

• From April 2026 – Sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000
• From April 2027 – Those with qualifying income over £30,000
• From April 2028 – Those with qualifying income over £20,000 (current HMRC plans)

Qualifying income is your total income before expenses from:

• Self‑employment (including more than one business)
• Property rental income (UK or overseas)

It does not include PAYE wages, dividends, pensions, or savings income. HMRC works this out based on your Self Assessment return.

Missing a quarterly update during the first year doesn't result in a penalty from HMRC. That gives you time to get things organised and become familiar with the new requirements. If you're behind with your records or submissions, we can help you catch up and move forward with confidence.

MTD for Income Tax applies to:

• Sole traders
• Landlords

It does not currently apply to:

• Limited companies
• Partnerships
• People who are digitally exempt

If MTD applies to you, you'll need to:

• Keep your income and expenses recorded digitally
• Use HMRC‑approved (MTD‑compatible) software
• Send four quarterly updates each tax year
• Finalise your figures after the year end
• Submit a final declaration, which replaces the traditional tax return

The quarterly updates are summaries — not tax bills — and can be adjusted as you go. Your actual tax is still calculated at the year end.

The deadlines are:

• 7 August
• 7 November
• 7 February
• 7 May

The dates are fixed and the same whether you're self‑employed, a landlord, or both.

You won't submit a traditional Self Assessment return.

Instead, after the tax year ends you'll:

• Finalise your income and expenses
• Submit a final declaration

This confirms your overall tax position and replaces the annual return.

You'll need software that works with MTD for Income Tax. This includes systems like Xero, QuickBooks and FreeAgent.

While spreadsheets can still be used with approved bridging software, we don't recommend them. In practice, spreadsheets add unnecessary friction, increase the risk of errors, and make the MTD process more time‑consuming than it needs to be. Purpose‑built accounting software is far more reliable, easier to manage, and leads to cleaner records and smoother quarterly submissions.

Yes. We help clients:

• Work out whether MTD for Income Tax applies to them
• Get set up on the right software
• Keep records clean and compliant
• Submit quarterly updates accurately and on time

We make sure MTD fits smoothly into your bookkeeping, rather than becoming another thing to worry about.

If MTD for Income Tax is likely to affect you in 2026 or 2027, preparation now will save stress later.

If you're unsure where you stand or want help getting ready, get in touch and we'll talk it through.

This is one of the most common areas where business owners get caught out. If an expense isn't wholly and exclusively for business, HMRC won't allow it, even if it feels reasonable or work-related.

Below are the most common expenses HMRC won't allow:

Client entertaining

Lunches, dinners, drinks and hospitality for clients aren't tax-deductible. You can record them for your own reporting, but you can't claim them against your tax bill, even if the meeting was 100% business.

Subsistence (food and drink)

Everyday meals, snacks and coffee during a normal working day aren't allowable. If you'd be eating or drinking anyway, it's personal and not allowable.

Clothing

Work clothes don't count unless they're a clear company uniform or required PPE. Suits, smart clothes and shoes aren't allowable, even if you only wear them for work.

Personal expenses

If it's personal, it's not allowable. Holidays, gym memberships and personal subscriptions all fall into this category. For mixed-use items like vehicles or mobile phones, only a fair business proportion can be claimed, and it needs to be justifiable.

Commuting

Travel between home and your usual place of work is classed as commuting and can't be claimed. The fact you're travelling to start work doesn't make it allowable.

Fines and penalties

Parking tickets, speeding fines and penalties are never allowable, even if they happen during work hours or on a client visit.

Business loan repayments

Repaying loans or finance isn't an allowable deduction. The interest element usually is, but it needs to be recorded properly.

Childcare and family costs

Childcare, school fees and other family costs aren't allowable expenses, even if they make it possible for you to work.

Training outside your existing trade

Training that gives you a brand-new skill or qualification generally isn't allowable. HMRC only allows training that updates or maintains skills you already use in the business.

Subscriptions and memberships

Personal subscriptions can't be claimed. Professional subscriptions are only allowable if they're directly related to your trade and appear on HMRC's approved list.

If something sits in a grey area, it's far safer to check first than deal with an HMRC query later.

Most allowable expenses fall into one simple rule: they must be wholly and exclusively for business use. If an expense passes that test and is backed up with evidence, it's usually claimable.

Here are some of the most common expenses HMRC generally allows:

Subscriptions and memberships

Professional body memberships and trade journal subscriptions are allowable, provided they're directly related to your business. Personal subscriptions are not.

Home office

Items such as stationery, utilities, insurance, printing and business software are usually allowable. Where costs are shared with personal use, only the business portion can be claimed.

Business travel

Travel to meetings or work locations away from your normal place of work is allowable. This can include mileage, public transport, parking (not fines) and accommodation for overnight business trips. Travel to and from your regular place of work is not claimable.

Advertising and marketing

Website costs, hosting, online advertising, samples and other genuine marketing costs are normally allowable.

Training

Training costs for you or your staff are usually allowable when they're directly related to the business and maintain or update existing skills.

Legal and professional fees

Accountancy, bookkeeping, legal advice and other professional fees directly related to running the business are allowable.

Phone and internet (business proportion)

If services are used for both business and personal purposes, a fair and reasonable business percentage can be claimed.

PPE and uniforms

Protective equipment or clearly branded uniforms required for the business are allowable.

As with everything, the key is accuracy, evidence and consistency. Claim what you're entitled to, but only what the rules allow.

Short answer: yes, if your taxable turnover goes over £90,000 in any rolling 12-month period.

This does not reset each tax year. It is rolling. Miss the point where you should have registered and HMRC can backdate it and charge penalties.

We keep an eye on your numbers and tell you before it becomes an issue.

There is not a "best" scheme, only the right one for your business.

Most businesses end up on the standard scheme, but the Flat Rate Scheme or Cash Accounting Scheme can make sense in the right circumstances, particularly for cashflow.

We do not guess. We do the maths, put you on the right scheme, and change it when the numbers say it is time.

Usually quarterly.

VAT returns must be submitted digitally under Making Tax Digital and paid by the deadline. HMRC is not forgiving when it comes to late filings.

We handle the calculations, submissions and reminders so you are not panicking the night before it is due.

HMRC does not mess around with VAT.

Miss a deadline and you can get hit with penalties, interest, or both, even on a first offence. The points-based penalty system means small slip-ups can add up quickly.

Most missed returns are not about cash, they are about poor records or forgotten deadlines. That is exactly what we prevent.

HMRC expects proper digital records showing:

• Sales
• Expenses
• VAT charged
• VAT reclaimed

Spreadsheets alone are usually not enough anymore. Your software needs to be MTD-compliant, and the data needs to be right.

We set this up properly so VAT returns are boring, which is exactly how you want them.