Essential guides
Essential tax and accounting guides for London.
Clear, up-to-date guides on Self Assessment, VAT, Making Tax Digital, landlord tax, director pay and more, written for London businesses and individuals and updated for 2026/27.
- Updated for 2026/27
- Plain English, worked examples
- Free calculators linked in every guide
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Start with the essentials
Each guide has key takeaways, worked examples, a London section and answers to common questions.
Tax returns
Self Assessment Tax Return: The Complete 2026/27 Guide
A plain-English guide to Self Assessment for 2026/27: who must file, deadlines, payments on account, penalties, allowances and how to file correctly in London.
9 min read · Updated November 2026
Starting a business
How to Start a Limited Company in London: Step-by-Step Guide
Step-by-step guide to setting up a limited company in London in 2026: registering, director ID verification, HMRC, bank, filings, deadlines and accounting costs.
9 min read · Updated November 2026
Starting a business
Sole Trader vs Limited Company: 2026/27 Comparison Guide
Compare sole trader and limited company status in 2026/27: tax, National Insurance, dividends, liability, admin, costs and when to switch, with London examples.
8 min read · Updated November 2026
Making Tax Digital
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: The Complete Guide
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax explained: who is in scope from April 2026, 2027 and 2028, what you must do, software, deadlines and how to prepare.
8 min read · Updated November 2026
VAT
VAT for UK Small Businesses: The Complete 2026/27 Guide
Complete UK VAT guide for 2026/27: registration threshold, rates, schemes, returns, Making Tax Digital, deregistration and tips for London businesses.
9 min read · Updated November 2026
Landlords
Landlord Tax Guide for 2026/27: Income Tax, CGT and MTD
Complete landlord tax guide for 2026/27: rental income tax, allowable expenses, mortgage interest credit, CGT, stamp duty surcharge, MTD and company vs personal ownership.
10 min read · Updated November 2026
Limited companies
How to Pay Yourself From a Limited Company: 2026/27 Guide
How limited company directors pay themselves in 2026/27: salary, dividends, expenses, director loans and the 35.75% section 455 charge, with examples.
9 min read · Updated November 2026
Contractors & CIS
Construction Industry Scheme (CIS): The Complete Guide
Complete CIS guide for contractors and subcontractors: 20%, 30% and 0% deductions, registering, monthly returns, gross payment status and claiming refunds in London.
8 min read · Updated November 2026
Limited companies
Company Accounts and Filing Deadlines: The Complete Guide
Complete guide to UK limited company accounts and filing deadlines for 2026: micro-entity and small company limits, Companies House, CT600, confirmation statements and penalties.
8 min read · Updated November 2026
FAQs
Guides: your questions answered
Short, straight answers. Still unsure? Call us on 020 3441 1258.
Long-form, plain-English guides on the tax and accounting topics UK businesses and individuals ask about most, such as Self Assessment, VAT, Making Tax Digital and paying yourself from a company.
Yes. They use the 2026/27 rates and rules and show when they were last updated. We review them when rates or rules change.
Yes. Book a free call or order a fixed-fee package and a London accountant will advise on your situation.
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Prices last reviewed November 2026. Cheap Accountants in London is a trading style of ACCOTAX London Ltd.