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Accountancy & Tax in Durham

Key start-up information and list of local accountants

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Durham Business Category

Durham Accountants

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Having a good firm of accountants on your side will ensure that you have all the information and support that you need to help your business grow and flourish.

They can offer advice and help you comply with accounting and tax requirements.

If you are self employed or run a small enterprise in Durham, it makes sense to use an Accountant or Bookkeeper who is keen to help small business and new business start ups rather than struggle with the task yourself.

Recommended Local Partner

TaxBite - Durham Accountants

TaxBite - Durham Accountants

TaxBite - Accountants Durham is a firm of Chartered Accountants offering accountancy, business consultancy and taxation services. They provide a wide variety of businesses, from small self-employed individuals to medium-sized companies requiring an audit. Their knowledgeable and friendly staff is dedicated to making sure they meet your needs.

Mobile icon 0191 666 0231

Local partners

We are happy to promote anyone who is prepared to offer friendly support to local start-ups.

Our local partners have been kind enough to help us and are keen to help you too.

Main Accounting Considerations

Sole Trader or Limited Company

One of the first decisions you will need to make is which legal structure is likely to suit your new business and this will affect your accountancy obligations.

You can read a detailed article about your various options at: Sole Trader or Limited Company?

The information below primarily relates to self-employment but if you decide to trade as a limited company, you can read more here: Running a Limited Company.

Becoming Self-Employed

You should tell HMRC as soon as you start self-employment, otherwise you may face a penalty. You are considered to have started self-employment when you have something to sell and either have a customer for your goods or services, or you are actively marketing your business.

You can let HMRC know about your self-employment by registering online for business taxes. A Self-Assessment Online account will automatically be set up at the same time. This allows you to send your Self-Assessment tax returns online. You will receive an Activation Code. You need to activate the service within 28 days. If you don’t, you will have to ask for a new Activation Code.

You can register online at https://www.gov.uk/log-in-register-hmrc-online-services/register

National Insurance

As a self-employed person, you pay a fixed amount of Class 2 National Insurance contributions (NIC). If your profits are above a certain limit, you may also have to pay Class 4 National Insurance contributions.

See Self-employed National Insurance rates for full details.

Statutory Records

It is very important that you set up a record keeping system and keep all records and supporting documents. Records for the current tax year must be retained until 31 January 2022.

You must keep records of all money coming into and going out of your business. This includes all cash, cheques and credit card transactions.

Your records should be adequate to allow you to complete an accurate Self Assessment return. You will be expected to keep a full record of:

  • All sales made and other business income, as it is earned.
  • The cost of all business expenses and purchases as you pay them, no matter how little they cost.
  • All purchases of business stock, goods and raw materials.
  • Mileage records.
  • Capital expenditure; keep a separate record of all purchases and sales of business equipment, machinery and vehicles, together with the receipts.
  • Keep a record of the market value of equipment or vehicles introduced into the business that you owned before starting your business.

See Business records if you're self-employed for full details.

Key Dates

There are key dates that you need to be aware of during the financial year. These relate to reporting and payment of any monies due. A list of dates and full explanation can be found here.

Value Added Tax (VAT)

You must register for VAT if:

  • Your taxable turnover exceeds the VAT threshold in any 12 month period
  • you expect your taxable turnover to exceed the VAT threshold within the next 30 days
  • you take over an existing VAT registered business as a going concern

You have 30 days from the date you meet any of these criteria to register.

Usually, VAT registration can be completed online and if you apply online, you will be enrolled automatically so that you can submit your VAT return online (there is no longer a paper version).

The current VAT threshold is £85,000; if your turnover is below the registration limit, you can choose whether to apply for voluntary registration. The standard rate of VAT currently is 20%.

See the official VAT website for full up to date details.

Durham Accountants

TaxAssist Durham
TaxAssist Accountants Durham provides a wide range of accountancy services including tax returns, annual accounts, payroll and bookkeeping. TaxAssist Accountants in Durham are a part of the largest network of accountants who offer a wealth of experience and expertise to over 65,000 small businesses right across the UK. We help a diverse range of small businesses including start-ups, sole traders, limited companies and landlords who operate in many industries. Based on Gilesgate just outside the centre of Durham, we have first-hand experience of the challenges facing small businesses and are very aware of the constraints on time. Malcolm Massey heads a small friendly team which specialises in providing accounting and taxation services to all areas of small businesses (sole traders, limited companies and partnerships) and individuals. Malcolm says Being an accountant should be much more than the preparation of the annual accounts. Every business is different and I take great pride in being able to tailor, and deliver, a year round service to suit individual needs using up-to-the-minute advice. Our fees are agreed with our clients for the year ahead with the emphasis on value for money. We offer payment by Direct Debit so there are no nasty year end surprises! For more information on our range of services please contact us or pop in for a free no obligation chat to see how we can help your business save money.
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TaxBite - Durham Accountants
TaxBite - Accountants Durham is a firm of Chartered Accountants offering accountancy, business consultancy and taxation services. They provide a wide variety of businesses, from small self-employed individuals to medium-sized companies requiring an audit. Their knowledgeable and friendly staff is dedicated to making sure they meet your needs.
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HMBAccountants
We are CHARTERED ACCOUNTANTS and Tax Advisors providing a full compliment of services to businesses in the North East. We believe in building long lasting partnerships with our clients providing a robust compliance service (whatever your needs), sound business advice and value for money.
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Local help for startups

There is plenty of help for startups in Durham but where can it be found?

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