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MTD accountants

Making Tax Digital

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Small business accountants

Accountants for small business

The short answer

A small business accountant keeps your books, files your tax returns and, from April 2027, handles Making Tax Digital for sole traders and landlords. Tell us about your business and we will match you with up to 4 local accountants, so you can compare fees and how each firm works.

Compare accountantsAbout Making Tax Digital →

Prefer to talk? Call 0330 057 7175

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40,605

accountancy and tax firms across the UK (ONS 2026)

40,605
accountancy and tax firms in the UK (ONS 2026)
4.50m
self-employed people in the UK (ONS)
Up to 4
local firms from one form
£0
to compare, with no obligation

What they do

What a small business accountant does

  • BookkeepingKeeps your income and expenses in order, or checks the records you keep.
  • Tax returnsSelf Assessment for sole traders and landlords, or company accounts and corporation tax.
  • Making Tax DigitalQuarterly updates and the MTD tax return for sole traders and landlords.
  • AdviceStructure, expenses you can claim, VAT and planning for your tax bill.

Your set-up

Sole trader or limited company?

Sole trader or landlordLimited company
Main returnsSelf AssessmentCompany accounts, corporation tax and the director’s own return
Making Tax Digital for Income TaxYes, from April 2027 over £30,000No, the company is not covered
PayrollOnly if you employ staffOften, including the director

Sole traders facing MTD can read Making Tax Digital for the self-employed. Landlords have their own guide.

Choosing

Questions to ask before you choose

  • Are you qualified and regulated? Anyone can call themselves an accountant, so ask which professional body they belong to.
  • What is included in the monthly fee, and what costs extra?
  • Which software do you use, and is it included?
  • Do you handle Making Tax Digital quarterly updates, if you are a sole trader or landlord?
  • Who will I deal with, and how quickly do you reply?
  • Do you work with businesses like mine, in my trade and at my size?
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Compare before you commit

Fees and service vary a lot between firms. We will match you with up to 4 local accountants so you can compare them side by side, free.

Compare accountants

Cost

How much does a small business accountant cost?

It depends on your set-up and how much you hand over. For Making Tax Digital, published prices we found run from about £25 to £200 a month, with £45 to £150 typical. A limited company with payroll and VAT usually costs more than a sole trader with one income source. Ask each firm for a written quote.

A sole trader reading a tax letter at his kitchen table

The dates that matter

  1. 6 Apr 2026Started for qualifying income over £50,000 (2024-25 return)
  2. 7 Nov 2026Second quarterly update due for the April 2026 group
  3. 6 Apr 2027Starts for qualifying income over £30,000 (2025-26 return). Penalty points for late quarterly updates begin
  4. 7 Aug 2027First quarterly update due for the April 2027 group
  5. 31 Jan 2028First MTD tax return and payment due for 2026-27
  6. 6 Apr 2028Starts for qualifying income over £20,000 (2026-27 return)

Questions people ask

Small business accountants: your questions

Do I need an accountant for my small business?

It is not a legal requirement, but many owners use one to keep the books, file returns on time and claim the right expenses. From April 2027, Making Tax Digital adds quarterly updates for sole traders and landlords over £30,000. Source

Does Making Tax Digital apply to limited companies?

No. Making Tax Digital for Income Tax covers sole traders and landlords. A limited company is not covered, though a director with their own rental or self-employment income may be. Source

How much does an MTD accountant cost?

Published prices we found run from about £25 to £200 a month, with £45 to £150 typical, depending on how many income sources you have and how much bookkeeping you need. Source

Can an accountant send my quarterly updates?

Yes. Once you authorise them as your agent, an accountant can sign you up, keep your records, send each update and file your return. Source

How does Compare Advantage work?

You tell us about your business in one short form. We introduce local accountants who can help, and tell you which firm before we pass on your details. It is free for you; firms may pay us for the introduction.

Guides

MTD for Income Tax explainedWho is in, the dates, quarterly updates and what it costs.Making Tax Digital for the self-employedWhat changes for sole traders from April 2027.Making Tax Digital for landlordsRental income, joint ownership and overseas property.Self-employed tax calculatorHow much tax and NI to set aside each quarter.Self-employed mileage calculatorThe 55p rate or actual costs: which claims more.MTD deadline calendarEvery update and payment date, added to your calendar.Do I need to use Making Tax Digital?Check your qualifying income and start date.MTD software or an accountant?Software, spreadsheets and bridging tools compared.How to sign up for Making Tax DigitalSigning up yourself, or letting an accountant do it.MTD penalties and exemptionsPenalty points, late payment and who is exempt.MTD for builders and CIS subcontractorsHomeowner and contractor work, CIS and the reverse charge.MTD for plumbers and electriciansDeposits, van stock, scheme fees and card payments.MTD for taxi and delivery driversSeveral apps, platform reports and car costs.MTD for hair and beautyRent-a-chair, tips, products and mobile work.MTD for cleaners and carersMany small clients and travel between them.

Sources

Written by the Compare Advantage team, Chorley. Facts checked against GOV.UK on 3 November 2026.

Compare Advantage is an introduction service. We are not an accountancy firm and do not give tax advice. We will contact you to introduce a local accountant who handles Making Tax Digital, and we tell you which firm before we pass on your details. Firms may pay us for the introduction. Guidance on this page is general and based on the GOV.UK sources linked on each page.