VAT accountant for London small businesses

In short: AF Coopers & Co is a firm of ACCA Chartered Certified Accountants in Woodford Green, London. We register businesses for VAT, keep VAT records in Xero or QuickBooks and submit VAT returns through Making Tax Digital compatible software. You deal directly with a qualified accountant, and we agree the fee in writing before we start.

Do you need to register for VAT?

You must register for VAT if either of these applies:

• Your taxable turnover for the last 12 months went over £90,000. Register within 30 days of the end of the month you went over. You are registered from the first day of the second month after that.
• You expect your taxable turnover to go over £90,000 in the next 30 days alone. Register by the end of that 30-day period.

The 12 months are rolling, not your financial year, so a busy few months can take you over without warning. You can also register voluntarily below the threshold, which can make sense if your customers are VAT-registered or you buy a lot of standard-rated goods. Read our guide to VAT for small businesses.

Threshold and deadlines checked on gov.uk on 3 October 2026.

What we do for you

• Check whether and when you must register, and register you with HMRC
• Advise on the right VAT scheme for your business
• Set up Making Tax Digital compatible software and digital records in Xero or QuickBooks
• Prepare and check your VAT return every quarter, then send it to you to approve
• Submit the return to HMRC and tell you what to pay and by when
• Review past returns for errors and help you correct them
• Deal with HMRC VAT questions and letters on your behalf (depending on your package)
• Help you deregister if your business changes

VAT return deadlines

Most businesses send a VAT return every 3 months. The deadline to submit online and pay is usually one calendar month and 7 days after the end of the VAT period. For quarters ending on the usual dates:

Your own VAT periods are shown in your HMRC online account. Since April 2022 all VAT-registered businesses have had to keep digital records and send returns using software that works with Making Tax Digital.

VAT schemes that can help small businesses

• Flat Rate Scheme: you pay a fixed percentage of your VAT-inclusive turnover. You can join if your VAT turnover is £150,000 or less, excluding VAT.
• Cash Accounting Scheme: you pay VAT when your customers pay you, not when you invoice. You can join if your VAT taxable turnover is £1.35 million or less.

Whether a scheme saves you money depends on your costs and customers. We work it out with your real figures before you decide.

Late returns and late payment

HMRC uses a points system for late VAT returns. You get a point for each late return, including nil returns. Quarterly filers get a £200 penalty once they reach 4 points, and a further £200 for each late return after that.

If you pay 16 or more days late, HMRC charges a first penalty of 3% of the VAT still outstanding on day 15. If VAT is still unpaid after day 30, a further 3% of the amount outstanding on day 30 is added, plus a second penalty charged daily at an annual rate of 10% until you pay. You can propose a payment plan, which could mean lower or no penalties. (Source: gov.uk, checked 3 October 2026.)

Prices

VAT returns are included in our small business accounting package, from £99 a month. The exact monthly fee depends on how many transactions you have, your VAT scheme and how up to date your records are. We always confirm your fee in writing before we start.

How it works

1. Free 20-minute call. Tell us about your business, your turnover and any letters from HMRC.
2. We review your records. We check your current VAT position and any past returns, and agree a fixed fee.
3. Set-up. We register you or take over as your agent, and set up Making Tax Digital software if you need it.
4. Every quarter. We prepare your return, you approve it, we submit it and tell you what to pay and when.

Situations we often help with

• Your turnover has just gone over £90,000, or is about to
• You registered late and need to catch up
• Your first VAT return is coming up
• You are moving VAT records from spreadsheets to Making Tax Digital software
• You have received a letter or compliance check from HMRC about VAT
• You think there are mistakes in past returns

Related

• VAT for small businesses: when to register and how it works
• Bookkeeping services
• How much does an accountant cost?

Who will do the work

Common questions

When do I have to register for VAT?

You must register if your taxable turnover for the last 12 months goes over £90,000, within 30 days of the end of the month you went over. You must also register if you expect your taxable turnover to go over £90,000 in the next 30 days alone. You can register voluntarily below the threshold.

When are VAT returns due?

Most businesses send a VAT return every 3 months. The deadline to submit online and pay is usually one calendar month and 7 days after the end of the VAT period, for example 7 May for a quarter ending 31 March.

Do I have to use Making Tax Digital for VAT?

Yes. Since April 2022 all VAT-registered businesses have had to keep digital records and send VAT returns using software that works with Making Tax Digital, unless HMRC has agreed an exemption.

How much do you charge for VAT returns?

VAT returns are included in our small business accounting package, which starts from £99 a month. The exact fee depends on how many transactions you have, your VAT scheme and how up to date your records are. We confirm it in writing before we start.

Can you fix mistakes on past VAT returns?

Yes. We review previous returns, work out the correct figures and help you correct errors with HMRC in the right way.

Which VAT scheme is right for me?

It depends on your turnover, your costs and how your customers pay you. We compare the standard method with schemes such as the Flat Rate Scheme and Cash Accounting Scheme and explain the difference in pounds and pence.

I am late with a VAT return. What happens?

You get a penalty point for each late return. Quarterly filers get a £200 penalty once they reach 4 points, and a further £200 for each late return after that. Late payment adds separate penalties and interest. The sooner the return is filed, the better.

General information only, not personal advice. Tax rules, rates and thresholds change, so please check gov.uk or speak to us about your own situation.