MCL Accountants Southend (logo)

Accountant for the Self-Employed in Essex

Stress-free tax. Clear numbers. Proactive advice.

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What’s Changing for the Self-employed - and How we Keep you Ahead

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD ITSA): From 6 April 2026, self-employed individuals and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000 must keep digital records and submit quarterly updates via MTD-compatible software. From 6 April 2027, this extends to those with £30,000+. Government plans indicate further widening thereafter – we’ll keep you informed and fully compliant.

VAT threshold: The VAT registration threshold increased to £90,000 from 1 April 2024. We monitor your rolling 12-month turnover and advise on registration, schemes and pricing impact.

National Insurance for the self-employed: Compulsory Class 2 NIC was removed from 6 April 2024 (you can still pay voluntary Class 2 to protect State Pension years). Class 4 NIC main rate is 6% for 2025/26 on profits within the main band. We’ll optimise drawings and plan for NI alongside tax.

Basis Period Reform: Transition to the tax-year basis began in 2023/24 with transition profits typically spread over five years (2023/24–2027/28). We’ll model the cash-flow and tax impact for you.

Why choose MCL for your Self-employed Finances?

Chartered Certified Accountants helping sole traders, freelancers, contractors and landlords across Essex keep more of what they earn – and stay fully compliant.

Fixed Accounting Fees

Our fixed fee quotes are detailed and agreed in advance of the work so that you know where you stand. We offer the option to be charged on an hourly basis for those that prefer it.

Unlimited Phone Support

You can call as much as you need, without charge. It can be about anything – tax, business ideas, whatever you need. If you need help and we can provide it on the phone, it’s FREE.

Work on Time, Every Time

As long as information is provided on time, accounts are guaranteed for completion within 30 days, phone calls and e-mails are returned within 24 hours max but usually sooner.

Paperwork, Sorted

Paperwork can be stressful for many owners who just want to get on with running their business. We can take care of bookkeeping and payroll, as well as the normal annual accounts and tax work.

Free Initial Tax Review

To identify all the tax planning opportunities you are not presently taking advantage of.

Free Tax Tips

We send our clients regular tax tips, news and guidance to help you pay less tax.

Registration & set-up

  1. HMRC Self Assessment and Class 2/4 NIC set-up guidance
  2. UTR registration and onboarding checklist
  3. VAT registration advice (standard vs Flat Rate Scheme) where appropriate

Bookkeeping & digital records

  1. Simple, compliant bookkeeping designed for Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax
  2. Receipt capture, bank feeds and quarterly reviews
  3. Real-time dashboards so you always know your tax provision and cash position

Self Assessment tax returns

  1. Preparation and submission of your Self Assessment
  2. Optimisation of allowable expenses (home office, vehicle/mileage, use of home, subsistence, tools & materials, professional fees, training, phone & broadband, and more)
  3. Payments on account planning to avoid nasty surprises

VAT

  1. Threshold monitoring and proactive registration when needed
  2. Quarterly VAT returns and advice on scheme selection (Standard, Cash Accounting, Flat Rate)
  3. De-registration support when appropriate

CIS (construction)

  1. Monthly CIS returns for contractors
  2. CIS deduction reconciliation and CIS tax refunds for subcontractors

Property & side-income

  1. Property income schedules (single let, HMO, holiday lets)
  2. Capital allowances and finance cost rules guidance
  3. Capital Gains Tax support when assets are sold

Tax planning & reviews

  1. Annual tax review focused on legitimate, HMRC-compliant savings
  2. Pension contributions, loss relief, capital allowances and timing strategies
  3. NI position checks (including voluntary Class 2 where it protects State Pension years)

Cashflow & growth support

  1. Forecasting templates and quarterly check-ins
  2. Pricing and profitability analysis for self-employed service models

Outcome: fewer admin hours, lower lifetime tax, and clear numbers you can trust.

Self-Employed Accounting Services in Essex (tailored packages)

Ready to Keep More of What You Earn?

Get a fixed-fee, done-for-you service built for the self-employed – with proactive planning and zero jargon.

Request a Free Quote and Consultation – Tell us about your business and we’ll propose the right package within one working day.

Who we help

Self-employed professionals across Essex, including: sole traders, freelancers, consultants, creatives, trades, CIS subcontractors, delivery and private-hire drivers, therapists, personal trainers, online sellers and landlords (single property to portfolios).

Business Accounting FAQs for the Self-Employed

We know that running a small business often comes with questions about accounting, tax, and compliance. To make things simpler, we’ve answered some of the most common queries below – giving you clear, practical guidance from our team of Chartered Certified Accountants.

If you value time, accuracy and tax-efficiency, yes. We keep you compliant, minimise tax legally and give you numbers you can rely on to price work and plan cashflow.

Sales, expenses, mileage/vehicle logs, bank statements and invoices/receipts. We’ll set you up with digital capture so record-keeping becomes effortless.

If your qualifying income is over £50,000, you’ll need to comply from 6 April 2026; over £30,000 from 6 April 2027. We’ll make sure your software and workflow are ready well in advance.

When your rolling 12-month taxable turnover exceeds £90,000, or if you choose to register voluntarily. We’ll advise on the best VAT scheme and pricing implications.

Compulsory Class 2 is no longer due for most self-employed from 6 April 2024; Class 4 applies to profits and is 6% within the main band for 2025/26. We’ll check if voluntary Class 2 is sensible to protect State Pension years.

Yes – we manage monthly CIS returns for contractors and fast-track refund claims for subcontractors by keeping records accurate and up to date.