Sole Trader Accounting
Packages with Zero Added VAT
Annual trading accounts, Self-Assessment (SA100) tax returns, and Making Tax Digital (MTD) support for sole traders, freelancers, and subcontractors across Chester, the Wirral, Liverpool, and UK-wide. Our fixed monthly packages start from £65/month with zero added VAT—giving you clear, written tax advice and full HMRC compliance with no surprise bills.
Clear, Fixed-Fee Pricing
for Sole Traders
Our fixed monthly packages cover your annual trading accounts, Self-Assessment tax return, and routine HMRC correspondence for a straightforward monthly cost. Because we do not add VAT to our fees, the price quoted is the exact amount you pay across Chester, the Wirral, Liverpool, and UK-wide.
Zero Added VAT on All Sole Trader Packages
Save 20% Out-of-PocketIf you are not VAT-registered, you cannot reclaim VAT charged by your accountant—meaning a VAT-registered firm immediately costs you 20% more out-of-pocket. At Phillips & Co, our £65/month package costs £65 total, saving you £156 a year compared to £65 + VAT.
Essential
Annual Accounts & SA100 Filing
- Annual Trading Accounts & Self-Assessment tax return (SA100)
- Dedicated senior ACCA chartered certified accountant
- Review of allowable business expenses, mileage & CIS deductions
- Year-round email support, written tax advice & HMRC agent representation
Growth
Annual Accounts + Quarterly VAT
- Includes everything in the Essential (£65/mo) package
- Quarterly VAT Return preparation, reconciliation & MTD filing
- Xero or FreeAgent cloud setup & bank feed linking
- Quarterly bookkeeping checks ahead of each VAT filing
MTD Compliant
Quarterly HMRC Updates & Year-End
- Annual trading accounts & full income tax calculations
- All 4 quarterly MTD for ITSA updates prepared & filed with HMRC
- Year-End MTD Final Declaration submission & final tax calculation
- Quarterly MTD VAT returns included if VAT-registered
Customise Your Package: Payroll & CIS Add-Ons
Not every sole trader employs staff or uses CIS subcontractors. To keep our base monthly packages as low as possible, you can add payroll or Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) returns whenever you need them:
Monthly Payroll & RTI
1–2 EmployeesMonthly payroll processing for 1–2 salaried staff. Includes digital payslips, HMRC Real Time Information (RTI) submissions, workplace pension declarations, and year-end P60s.
Monthly CIS Returns
Up to 5 SubcontractorsMonthly CIS payment and deduction statements, HMRC verification of new subcontractors, and monthly CIS300 online filing by the 19th of each month.
HMRC Scheme Setup
PAYE or CIS RegistrationRegistration of your new PAYE employer scheme or CIS contractor scheme with HMRC, including Government Gateway agent authorisation.
Important Software & Tax Scope Notes
100% Direct Data Ownership & Software Licences
As a Certified Xero Partner (also supporting FreeAgent, Dext, and our encrypted IRIS OpenSpace document portal), software subscriptions are held directly in your own name rather than bundled into our fees. You retain 100% ownership and control of your bookkeeping records at all times, with no accountant lock-in.
Self-Assessment Tax Return Scope
The Self-Assessment return (SA100/SA103) included in our sole trader packages covers your self-employed trading profits, allowable business expenses, PAYE employment income, and CIS tax deductions suffered. Additional schedules—such as buy-to-let rental properties (SA105), capital gains disposals, or foreign income—are quoted clearly in advance.
Bookkeeping Records & Catch-Up Work
Our fixed monthly fees assume your bank feeds and bookkeeping transactions are kept reasonably up to date—either annually for the Essential tier or quarterly for the Growth and MTD Compliant tiers.
Where historical records need reconciling or bringing up to date before a quarterly update or annual return can be filed, we will agree a fixed quarterly catch-up fee (from £45/quarter) or a one-off catch-up bookkeeping fee with you before starting work.
Additional Accounting Services
Across Chester, Wirral, Liverpool & UK-Wide
Not every sole trader, freelancer, or subcontractor wants an ongoing monthly package. If you only need your annual accounts and Self-Assessment tax return prepared once a year, we offer a straightforward one-off service at a fixed fee with zero added VAT.
One-Off Annual Accounts & Tax Return
Designed for sole traders and freelancers across Chester, the Wirral, Liverpool, and UK-wide who prefer a single annual fee without a monthly retainer. Covers your annual trading accounts, review of allowable business expenses, and online submission of your HMRC Self-Assessment return (SA100/SA103).
While our one-off year-end filing is available at £795/year, joining our Essential Monthly Package (£65/month = £780/year) costs £15 less over the year while spreading the cost evenly across 12 months with zero added VAT—and includes year-round written tax advice, Xero or FreeAgent setup, and ongoing HMRC agent representation.
Multiple Income Streams or Thinking of Incorporating?
If you run more than one self-employed trade, hold rental properties alongside your sole trader business, or want a written tax comparison on whether to incorporate as a Limited Company, we will put together a clear fixed-fee quote tailored to your setup.
All fees are confirmed in writing before we start work, with zero added VAT and no hidden admin charges.
In-Depth Package Breakdowns:
Exactly What Is Included
We set out our scope clearly so you know exactly what is covered in your monthly fee before you join. Below is the full breakdown of the accounts, tax returns, and ongoing support included in each tier—all with zero added VAT for sole traders across Chester, the Wirral, Liverpool, and UK-wide.
The Essential Package
Built for sole traders, freelancers, and CIS subcontractors who want their annual trading accounts and Self-Assessment tax return handled accurately on a straightforward monthly retainer.
Annual Trading Accounts Preparation
Your bank transactions and bookkeeping records turned into clear annual Profit & Loss accounts.
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Income & Allowable Expense Review: Full year-end review of your trading income and business expenditure, ensuring legitimate deductions—such as business mileage, use of home, tools, software, and capital allowances—are properly claimed.
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Tax-Efficient Adjustments: Verification of your accounting adjustments and capital allowance claims so your taxable profit is accurately minimised within UK tax legislation before filing.
Self-Assessment Tax Return (SA100 & SA103)
Complete preparation and online HMRC filing well ahead of the 31 January deadline.
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Income Tax, Class 4 NIC & CIS Calculations: Full calculation of your Income Tax and Class 4 National Insurance position (plus reconciliation of any CIS tax deductions suffered to secure your HMRC rebate or offset).
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Online HMRC Submission & Payment Schedule: Electronic filing of your SA100 and SA103 self-employment pages via our HMRC agent gateway, with a clear written summary of your balancing payment and January/July Payments on Account.
Year-Round Support & HMRC Representation
Direct support from qualified ACCA accountants throughout the tax year.
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Clear, Written Tax Advice: Year-round email support and researched written tax advice from your assigned senior ACCA accountant, alongside encrypted document sharing via IRIS OpenSpace.
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Early Record Reminders: Structured reminders after the 5 April tax year-end so your accounts are prepared early—giving you plenty of notice of your tax bill before January.
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Registered HMRC Tax Agent: We act as your authorised HMRC agent, checking coding notices, Payments on Account, and routine HMRC correspondence on your behalf.
The Growth Package
Designed for VAT-registered sole traders and growing businesses. Alongside your annual accounts and Self-Assessment return, we handle all four quarterly MTD VAT filings and check your cloud bookkeeping each quarter.
Quarterly VAT Returns & MTD Filing
All four quarterly Making Tax Digital VAT returns reconciled and filed with HMRC.
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Input & Output VAT Checks: Quarterly review of your sales and purchase VAT entries so you reclaim all eligible input VAT on materials, tools, fuel, and overheads.
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Making Tax Digital (MTD) Submission: Online submission of your quarterly VAT returns directly to HMRC ahead of the filing deadline to avoid late penalty points.
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Advance Liability Confirmation: Clear written confirmation of your VAT payment or repayment amount well before HMRC collects the Direct Debit.
Cloud Software Setup & Quarterly Checks
Your Xero or FreeAgent records stay reconciled and up to date throughout the year.
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Xero & FreeAgent Oversight: As a Certified Xero Partner (also supporting FreeAgent and Dext), we check your bank feeds and VAT coding every quarter so errors are fixed early rather than building up at year-end.
The MTD Compliant Package
Built for sole traders with qualifying gross turnover over £50,000 complying with Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (from April 2026), and businesses over £30,000 preparing ahead of the April 2027 mandate.
4x Quarterly MTD Updates & Year-End Final Declaration
Complete handling of HMRC's quarterly digital reporting rules.
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4x Quarterly HMRC Digital Submissions: We review your digital records and submit your four mandatory quarterly income and expense updates to HMRC every three months. (Assumes bank feeds and digital bookkeeping records are kept up to date by the agreed quarterly cutoff dates).
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Year-End Final Declaration: At the end of the tax year, we review all four quarterly updates, apply your accounting adjustments and capital allowances, and file your statutory Year-End Final Declaration with HMRC.
MTD Cloud Software Setup & Running Tax Estimates
Direct digital links with Xero or FreeAgent and quarterly tax visibility.
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HMRC Digital Linking & Data Ownership: We connect your Xero or FreeAgent account directly to our HMRC agent portal while you keep the software subscription in your own name for 100% data ownership.
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Quarterly Tax Estimates: After each quarterly update, we provide an updated estimate of your accruing Income Tax and Class 4 NIC position so you know how much to set aside.