Certax Accountants

📅 Do you know your next tax deadline?

When you're busy running a business, tax deadlines can have a habit of creeping up on you. ⏰

From VAT and PAYE to Corporation Tax and Self Assessment, the dates you need to remember will depend on you and your business.

Staying ahead of them can help you:

✅ Avoid last-minute panic
💷 Plan ahead for upcoming tax payments
📚 Keep your records organised and up to date
⚠️ Reduce the risk of late filing or payment penalties
🧘 Take some of the stress out of managing your finances

HMRC also has an online tool that can help you check relevant filing and payment deadlines and add them to your calendar. 📲

But knowing when something is due is only half the job — making sure everything is ready in plenty of time is just as important.

💡 Could your business benefit from a more organised approach to its accounts and tax?

Speak to an accountant and make your next deadline one you’re prepared for — not one that takes you by surprise.

📞 01246 200 255
📧 [email protected]

Are you claiming all the business expenses you're entitled to? 💷

Running a business comes with plenty of costs — but are you confident you're recording and claiming everything you legitimately can?

Depending on your business and circumstances, allowable expenses could include:

📱 Phone and internet costs
💻 Software, equipment and subscriptions
🚗 Certain business travel and mileage
🏢 Office or premises costs
🏠 Eligible costs when working from home
📚 Professional fees, training and subscriptions
📣 Advertising and marketing
👥 Staff costs and employer expenses

Missing legitimate expenses could mean your taxable profit is higher than it needs to be. On the other hand, not every business cost is automatically tax deductible, so it's important to understand what qualifies and keep appropriate records.

A regular expenses review can help make sure your bookkeeping is accurate, your records are up to date and you're making use of the reliefs available to your business.

Not sure what you can claim? Speak to an accountant before simply leaving an expense out.

📞 01246 200 255
📧 [email protected]

✨ Certax Accountant Spotlight: Tracey Hinds-Shelford ✨

Meet Tracey Hinds-Shelford, your local Certax accountant for Enfield & Broxbourne.

A qualified accountant with 12 years of commercial, financial and operational experience, Tracey also brings valuable first-hand knowledge of the UK property sector, having previously owned and managed a regulated property business.

This experience gives Tracey a practical understanding of the challenges faced by landlords, letting agents, sole traders and small business owners — from managing cash flow to keeping on top of ever-changing compliance requirements.

At Certax Accounting Enfield & Broxbourne, Tracey provides friendly, straightforward support across:

• Self-Assessment Tax Returns
• Year End Accounts
• VAT Returns & Making Tax Digital
• Payroll & CIS
• Bookkeeping
• Business Support & Planning

The approach is simple: clear explanations, dependable support and a personal service that helps you feel informed, confident and in control of your finances.

💬 Free initial consultation available — get in touch with Tracey to discuss how she can support you or your business.

📞 07386 611433 | 02033 363533
📧 [email protected]
📍 Certax Accounting Enfield & Broxbourne

🚨 Haven’t signed up for Making Tax Digital yet? HMRC may do it for you.

September brings an important development for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax.

📅 From September 2026, HMRC will begin automatically signing up, in stages, some people who should already be using MTD for Income Tax but haven't yet signed up.

If you're affected, don't assume being automatically registered means everything is taken care of. You still need to make sure you're ready to meet the ongoing requirements.

That could mean:

💻 Using compatible accounting software
🧾 Keeping digital records of your income and expenses
📊 Sending quarterly updates to HMRC
📅 Keeping on top of your MTD deadlines
📩 Paying attention to communications from HMRC

For those already within MTD for Income Tax, the next quarterly update deadline is 7 November 2026 — so now is a good time to make sure your records are up to date.

⚠️ Received an MTD communication from HMRC or unsure whether the rules apply to you?

Speak to an accountant who can help you understand your obligations and get the right systems in place.

📞 01246 200 255
📧 [email protected]

When should you consider becoming a limited company?

There isn’t one point at which every sole trader should make the switch. The right structure depends on your profits, plans and personal circumstances.

It may be worth discussing incorporation if:

• Your business and profits are growing
• You want a clearer separation between your personal and business finances
• You’re planning to take on employees or grow the business
• You want to explore different ways of taking income from the business
• You’re thinking about bringing in another owner or investor
• A limited company structure could offer commercial or tax advantages for your circumstances

But becoming a limited company also brings additional responsibilities, including annual accounts, Corporation Tax, Companies House filings and more formal record keeping.

That’s why the decision shouldn’t be based on a single profit figure or something another business owner has done.

Your accountant can compare the options and help you understand the tax, costs and responsibilities of each structure before you make the change.

Thinking about moving from sole trader to limited company?

Speak to your local Certax advisor.

📞 01246 200 255
📧 [email protected]

Sole trader or landlord? Do not leave the year’s records until January.

A short monthly routine can help: record income, capture expenses, reconcile the bank and deal with missing information while it is fresh.

Book a records review with your local Certax Advisor.

If your current accounting support no longer fits, you do not have to wait until January to ask about a change.

August gives you time to understand the handover, fees, responsibilities and records needed before the autumn workload grows.

Ask your local Certax advisor about switching accountant.

Paying PAYE electronically? Monthly payments are normally due by the 22nd of the next tax month.

Check processing times and your payment reference rather than leaving it to the last moment. Speak to your local Certax advisor about payroll support.

🌟Accountant Spotlight | Guilherme Oliveira – Certax Accounting Chelmsford🌟

At Certax Accounting Chelmsford, Guilherme Oliveira works with sole traders, limited companies and growing businesses across Chelmsford and Essex, providing practical advice that goes beyond year-end accounts.

With a focus on building long-term client relationships, Guilherme combines a local, personal service with the resources of the wider Certax network. From bookkeeping and payroll to tax planning, management accounts and cash flow forecasting, the aim is to give business owners clear financial information they can use to make confident decisions throughout the year.

Working entirely with cloud-based systems, Guilherme helps clients stay ahead of HMRC's evolving Making Tax Digital requirements while offering fixed-fee pricing, so there are no unexpected surprises.

He also has particular experience supporting contractors and consultants, including IR35 employment status assessments, VAT scheme reviews and advice for those operating through limited companies.

Whether you're starting a new business, looking to improve your financial reporting or simply want proactive support from an accountant who understands your goals, Guilherme offers a free, no-obligation initial consultation.

📍 Certax Accounting Chelmsford
Saxon House, 27 Duke Street, Chelmsford, CM1 1HT

📧 [email protected]
📞 01245 377 510

Before September, review five areas: unpaid invoices, expense records, payroll data, VAT records and the amount reserved for tax payments.

You do not need to solve everything in one sitting. Start by identifying gaps and agreeing the next action.

Book a bookkeeping review with your local Certax accountant.