Sarah’s Bookkeeping Services

Sarah’s Bookkeeping Services Bookkeeping services including, day to day accounting, vat returns, payroll, CIS, self assessments. ICB qualified.

We pride ourselves on our commitment to provide a professional and speedy service at all times, whilst maintaining the highest quality of work.

It’s International Coffee Day, so it seems like the perfect opportunity to answer a question that comes up quite often w...
01/10/2026

It’s International Coffee Day, so it seems like the perfect opportunity to answer a question that comes up quite often with small business owners: can you claim your coffee as a business expense?
Sadly, just because coffee feels absolutely essential to getting through your working day doesn’t mean HMRC agrees! Your usual morning coffee, the one you pick up on your way to work or the coffees you drink while sitting at your desk are generally considered a personal expense, so they’re not usually tax deductible.
There are circumstances where food and drink can be an allowable business expense, though. For example, you may be able to claim reasonable food and drink costs when you’re travelling for business and the journey meets HMRC’s rules for allowable business travel. Refreshments provided to employees in the workplace can also be treated differently.
And what about meeting a client for a coffee? Even if you spend the whole time talking about work, client entertaining is generally not tax deductible. So unfortunately, inviting your client for a cappuccino doesn’t automatically mean the business gets to pay for it!
As with lots of business expenses, it’s all about the circumstances rather than simply what you bought. If you’re ever unsure about what you can and can’t claim as a small business owner or self-employed person, please get in touch with Sarah’s Bookkeeping Services. I’m always happy to help you make sense of your expenses and keep your bookkeeping on the right track.
In the meantime, enjoy your coffee this International Coffee Day, even if HMRC isn’t picking up the bill!
Any questions please let me know.

7 November might not be on your radar yet… but it probably should be.The next Making Tax Digital deadline is coming up o...
23/09/2026

7 November might not be on your radar yet… but it probably should be.
The next Making Tax Digital deadline is coming up on 7 November, and getting prepared now means you can avoid that last-minute scramble when the deadline suddenly feels a lot closer than you thought.
If you’re a small business owner using Making Tax Digital for VAT, now is a good time to make sure your bookkeeping is up to date, your records are accurate and you have everything ready to submit your VAT return on time.
And if you’re already looking at your accounts thinking you’re not quite as organised as you’d hoped, don’t panic. That’s exactly where I can help.
I can help you get your bookkeeping in order, make sure everything is ready for your VAT return and take some of the stress out of staying on top of your Making Tax Digital requirements.
7 November will be here before we know it, so if you need a hand getting prepared, drop me a message.

f you’re a small business owner who needs to complete a Self Assessment tax return, there’s really no need to wait until...
17/09/2026

f you’re a small business owner who needs to complete a Self Assessment tax return, there’s really no need to wait until January to start thinking about it. Yes, the deadline is 31st January, but January is busy enough without adding a last-minute tax return, hunting down paperwork and trying to work out what you owe.
Getting your tax return sorted before Christmas means you can head into the festive break knowing it’s done and dusted. You’ll also know how much tax you need to pay, which makes planning for that January payment a whole lot easier.
And if you’re currently staring at a pile of receipts, spreadsheets or accounts and wondering where on earth to start, that’s where I can help. I work with small business owners who want their bookkeeping and tax sorted without the jargon, stress or guesswork.
So, if your tax return is still sitting on your to-do list, why not get in touch and let’s get it sorted before Christmas? You’ll thank yourself when January comes around.
Any questions let me know.
Thanks
Sarah

10th September is World Su***de Prevention Day 💛Today is a reminder to check in. Not just with the people who seem to be...
10/09/2026

10th September is World Su***de Prevention Day 💛
Today is a reminder to check in. Not just with the people who seem to be struggling, but with the ones who seem absolutely fine too. Sometimes we have no idea what someone is carrying behind the scenes. A message, a cup of coffee, a simple how are you really doing? can mean more than we realise.

This is a cause particularly close to my heart, and one I feel very strongly about helping to keep conversations around mental health and su***de open.

If you’re struggling, you don’t have to have the right words or know exactly what you need. You can start by talking to someone. The Samaritans are there 24/7, free from any phone, on 116 123. You can also visit their website for more ways to get support.

And if you’re worried about someone else, don’t be afraid to ask the question. You might just be the person who helps them feel less alone. 💛

Please check in on your people today.

***depreventionday🎗 ❤️ ***de

Bank holiday weekend done… now for the payroll!The August bank holiday is over, everyone’s back at work and you’re proba...
02/09/2026

Bank holiday weekend done… now for the payroll!
The August bank holiday is over, everyone’s back at work and you’re probably thinking about the next deadline on your to-do list. If you run a business, payroll after a bank holiday can sometimes mean a little extra admin to make sure everything is calculated and paid correctly.
That’s where I can help.
I can take care of your payroll, including:
Calculating wages and deductions
Processing holiday pay
Making sure employees are paid correctly and on time
Handling HMRC submissions
Keeping your payroll records organised
So while you get back to running your business, you can leave the payroll to me.
Need a hand with payroll? Get in touch and let’s make payday one less thing to worry about.

Hi, I'm Sarah, the face behind Sarah's Bookkeeping Services!If we've not met before, I thought it was about time I prope...
26/08/2026

Hi, I'm Sarah, the face behind Sarah's Bookkeeping Services!
If we've not met before, I thought it was about time I properly introduced myself. I've been helping businesses keep their finances organised for over 20 years, and I genuinely love helping business owners feel more in control of the numbers. Whether you're just starting out or you've been in business for years, I'm here to make bookkeeping one less thing for you to worry about.
I work with businesses across a range of industries, including engineering, hospitality and construction, taking care of everything from day-to-day bookkeeping and bank reconciliations to VAT returns, payroll and financial reporting. I also work with both Sage and Xero, so I can fit in with the way you already work. For me, bookkeeping isn't just about keeping your records up to date. It's about giving you confidence in your finances, helping you stay compliant, and giving you more time to focus on running and growing your business.
As a proud member of the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers (ICB), I work to the highest professional standards and ensure everything is compliant with HMRC and Money Laundering Regulations, so you can have complete peace of mind.
If you're looking for a friendly, reliable bookkeeper who'll take the stress out of managing your business finances, I'd love to have a chat and see how I can help. Feel free to send me a message – there's no obligation, just a friendly conversation about your business and how I can support you.

How did you get on with your first Making Tax Digital submission on 7th August?If you managed to submit on time, well do...
19/08/2026

How did you get on with your first Making Tax Digital submission on 7th August?
If you managed to submit on time, well done! I hope it all went smoothly.
If it felt a little stressful, involved a last-minute rush, or left you wondering if there was an easier way, you're certainly not alone. For many businesses, it was their first experience of Making Tax Digital, and it's understandable that there was a lot to get to grips with. The good news is that the next submission isn't until 7th November, which means there's plenty of time to get organised. Rather than leaving everything until the week before, now is the perfect opportunity to put the right systems in place so your next submission feels much less daunting.
As a bookkeeper, I can help you keep your records up to date, stay compliant, and take the stress out of your MTD submissions, leaving you free to focus on running your business.
If you'd like some support before the November deadline, get in touch for a friendly, no-obligation chat. I'd love to help make your next MTD submission a much smoother experience https://www.sarahsbookkeepingservices.co.uk/

Today is NationalRelaxation Day and it got me thinking...When you're running a small business, switching off isn't alway...
15/08/2026

Today is NationalRelaxation Day and it got me thinking...
When you're running a small business, switching off isn't always easy. Even if you're physically taking a break, it's hard to truly relax when you're wondering if you've sent that invoice, logged your expenses, or remembered an upcoming tax deadline.
One of the biggest benefits of keeping on top of your bookkeeping isn't just having tidy accounts, it's having peace of mind. Knowing your finances are organised means you can spend more time focusing on growing your business, enjoying time with your family, or simply taking a well-earned break without that nagging feeling that you've forgotten something.
As a bookkeeper, I love helping business owners feel more in control of the financial side of their business. It doesn't have to be overwhelming, and you certainly don't have to do it all on your own. So, if you've been wishing you could relax a little more and worry a little less about your business finances, I'd love to help. Get in touch for a friendly, no-obligation chat about how I can support the financial running of your business, giving you more time to focus on what you do best https://www.sarahsbookkeepingservices.co.uk/
After all, every business owner deserves to switch off every now and then.

Today marks an important milestone for thousands of self-employed people and landlords across the UK. 📅7th August is the...
07/08/2026

Today marks an important milestone for thousands of self-employed people and landlords across the UK. 📅

7th August is the first Making Tax Digital (MTD) quarterly filing deadline.

If you've submitted your first update, congratulations! 🎉 That's one down.

If it felt a little confusing, stressful or took far longer than you expected, you're definitely not alone. Like any new system, there's a learning curve, and many business owners have found the move to Making Tax Digital a big change from the way they've always managed their records.

The good news? You don't have to figure it all out by yourself.

The next quarterly filing deadline is 7th November, and now is the perfect time to get organised rather than leaving everything until the last minute.

As a bookkeeper, I can help you:

✅ Keep your bookkeeping up to date

✅ Make sure your records are MTD compliant

✅ Take the stress out of quarterly submissions

✅ Give you confidence that everything has been filed correctly and on time

The earlier we get your bookkeeping in order, the easier your next deadline will be. If today's filing has made you realise you'd rather have someone in your corner, send me a message. Let's make the 7th November deadline feel much less daunting https://www.sarahsbookkeepingservices.co.uk/

Self-care isn't always candles and massages... 💆‍♀️Sometimes, as a small business owner, self-care looks like getting yo...
24/07/2026

Self-care isn't always candles and massages... 💆‍♀️

Sometimes, as a small business owner, self-care looks like getting your Self Assessment tax return completed by the end of July.

It might not feel glamorous, but it's one of the best things you can do for your future self.

By getting it done early:

You avoid the last-minute January rush and unnecessary stress.
You know exactly what your tax bill will be, giving you plenty of time to budget.
Your Payments on Account can be calculated correctly, so you're not paying too much or facing unexpected surprises.
If anything is missing, there's still plenty of time to sort it.
You can spend the rest of the year focusing on your business instead of worrying about your tax return.
A massage might help you unwind for an hour, but knowing your tax return is done, your tax bill is clear, and your Payments on Account are accurate? That's a different kind of self-care, the kind that helps you sleep a little easier.

If your Self Assessment is still on your to-do list, now is the perfect time to get it sorted and enjoy the peace of mind that comes with being ahead of the game. Have you done yours yet?

Address

Yeadon
Rawdon
LS19

Opening Hours

Monday 9am - 9pm
Tuesday 9am - 9pm
Wednesday 9am - 9pm
Thursday 9am - 9pm
Friday 9am - 9pm
Saturday 11am - 4pm
Sunday 11am - 4pm

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