Taxation Services in the UK: A Guide for Individuals and Businesses
Tax responsibilities can become complicated when you run a business, employ staff, own property or receive income from several sources. Different taxes bring different records, reporting requirements and payment obligations. Knowing which services you need is the first step towards keeping everything organised.
At McRock Berkeley, our taxation services support individuals, sole traders, landlords, contractors and companies. This guide explains the ten main services available through our practice, what each covers and when professional support can be useful.
What do taxation services include?
Taxation services combine the practical work of preparing returns with advice on transactions, record keeping and future decisions. The right support helps you understand your position, identify eligible reliefs, prepare reliable information and plan for tax payments.
You may need a single annual return or several connected services. For example, a company employing staff may require Corporation Tax, VAT and payroll support, while its director may also need a personal Self Assessment return.
1. Self Assessment tax returns
Self Assessment is HMRC’s system for reporting income that needs to be declared through a personal tax return. It can be relevant to self-employed people, landlords and individuals with additional income. Being a company director does not, by itself, mean that everyone must file a return; your circumstances and any HMRC notice need to be checked.
Our Self Assessment support includes:
- Reviewing income records and relevant expenses.
- Preparing tax calculations and returns.
- Considering available allowances and reliefs.
- Explaining filing and payment responsibilities.
- Helping with late returns, corrections and HMRC correspondence.
Bring together information about employment, self-employment, rent, investments and other relevant income before preparation begins. A complete picture helps prevent omissions.
Explore our Self Assessment services.
2. Corporation Tax services
Corporation Tax applies to company profits, with the calculation depending on the business’s circumstances. Accounting profit and taxable profit are not always the same, so preparing the tax calculation involves reviewing the treatment of income, expenses and other adjustments.
We assist with Company Tax Returns, CT600 preparation, tax computations, filing support and payment planning. Our advisory work also covers capital allowances, losses, business restructuring and reviews of potential reliefs such as research and development relief where the eligibility requirements are met.
Planning before an investment or restructure gives your adviser time to consider the implications. Filing a return and paying the tax are separate responsibilities, and their deadlines may differ.
Read about our Corporation Tax support.
3. Value Added Tax (VAT)
VAT affects how businesses charge customers, record purchases and report transactions. Registration, VAT treatment and recovery questions can become more involved as your business introduces new services or trades overseas.
Our VAT services include:
- Registration and deregistration advice.
- VAT Return preparation and reconciliation.
- Reviews of VAT schemes and transaction coding.
- Input VAT recovery and partial exemption reviews.
- Making Tax Digital for VAT support.
- Property, import, export and cross-border VAT advice.
- Support with HMRC VAT enquiries and corrections.
VAT should be considered before agreeing prices or signing significant contracts. Confirming the treatment early can help you understand the effect on margins and cash flow.
4. Payroll tax and PAYE
Employing people creates recurring payroll responsibilities. Accurate pay calculations need to reflect employee details, tax codes, deductions and changes during each pay period.
McRock Berkeley supports employers with PAYE setup, weekly or monthly payroll, National Insurance calculations, payslips and Real Time Information submissions. We also assist with relevant statutory payments, pension deductions, year-end reporting and payroll corrections.
Reliable payroll depends on timely information. New starters, leavers, overtime, bonuses, absences and salary changes should all be included in the information supplied for the relevant payroll run.
Read about payroll tax services.
5. Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)
Construction businesses may have obligations under CIS when paying subcontractors. Where deductions are required, they are payments towards the subcontractor’s tax liabilities rather than a separate additional tax. The correct treatment depends on the work, the parties involved and the subcontractor’s verified status.
Our CIS support covers contractor and subcontractor registration, verification, deduction calculations, monthly returns and payment statements. We also help review deduction records, address reporting problems and assess gross payment status applications.
A construction business may need both CIS and payroll support. Reviewing worker arrangements and keeping the two reporting processes organised helps avoid confusion.
6. Capital Gains Tax advice
Selling or otherwise disposing of an asset can create a Capital Gains Tax question. The starting point is the gain, rather than simply the money received, and the final position depends on the asset, ownership and applicable rules.
Our advisory services cover property disposals, shares, business assets, cryptocurrency and overseas investments. We can review acquisition costs and disposal information, calculate gains and consider relevant losses, exemptions or reliefs.
Seek advice before completing a significant sale or transfer. A gift can also require a tax review, even where no cash changes hands. Company asset disposals need to be considered under the appropriate company tax rules.
Read about Capital Gains Tax advisory services.
7. Property tax services
Property owners can face several connected tax questions across buying, letting, developing, selling and transferring property. Personal ownership, joint ownership and company ownership may lead to different outcomes.
We support landlords, investors, property companies, developers and overseas owners with rental income reporting, expense reviews, ownership planning and disposal advice. Our property work also includes advice on relevant transaction taxes, commercial property VAT and non-resident landlord obligations.
Keep purchase documents, rental statements, financing records and invoices for work carried out. Explaining what each cost relates to helps your adviser distinguish routine running costs from expenditure connected with acquiring or improving an asset.
Explore our property tax services.
8. Inheritance Tax planning
Inheritance Tax planning considers your estate, family circumstances and the tax implications of passing assets on. Gifts during your lifetime can also affect the position, so planning should take account of both present needs and future intentions.
Our services include estate exposure reviews, lifetime gifting advice, assessments of available reliefs and allowances, and support for executors and trustees. We can also coordinate tax planning with your solicitor so that the advice fits your wider arrangements.
Start with an up-to-date list of assets, liabilities and previous gifts. Review your plans when family circumstances, ownership arrangements or legislation change. The availability of a particular relief must be assessed against the rules that apply to your situation.
Read about Inheritance Tax services.
9. International tax advice
Working, investing or trading across borders can create obligations in more than one country. UK residence, the source of income, overseas taxes and applicable treaty provisions may all need to be considered.
We assist individuals and businesses with foreign income reporting, residence reviews, relocation planning, double tax relief questions and cross-border business activities. Support also extends to overseas landlords with UK property and investors with international assets.
International tax rules change, and older arrangements should not be assumed to remain available. A review should identify the relevant tax years, countries, travel history, income sources and taxes already paid before drawing conclusions.
Explore our international tax services.
10. HMRC enquiries and investigations
A letter from HMRC may request information, query a return or begin a more detailed compliance check. Understanding what has been requested and organising the supporting evidence are useful first steps.
McRock Berkeley provides support with tax enquiries, compliance checks, disclosures, disputes and appeals. Our services include reviewing records, preparing responses and representing clients in communications with HMRC within the agreed scope of work.
If you receive an enquiry, retain the correspondence and note the response date. Share it promptly with your adviser alongside the relevant returns and records. The outcome of an enquiry or appeal depends on the facts; a reduction in tax or penalties cannot be guaranteed.
Read about our HMRC investigation support.
Choosing the right combination of services
- Sole traders and freelancers: start with Self Assessment and review whether VAT or employer obligations also apply.
- Limited companies: consider Corporation Tax, VAT and payroll together, alongside the directors’ personal tax position.
- Landlords and investors: coordinate income reporting, property transactions and capital gains advice.
- Construction businesses: review CIS, VAT and payroll requirements as part of the same operating process.
- Families and international clients: connect personal tax, estate planning and cross-border considerations.
Preparing for your tax consultation
To make the first discussion useful, gather your most recent returns and accounts, relevant HMRC letters, income and expense records, and details of any planned transactions. Let your adviser know about approaching deadlines and missing information at the outset.
It also helps to write down your priorities. You may want to resolve an overdue return, improve monthly reporting, understand a property sale or plan for business growth. Agree which services are included, what information you need to provide and how the work will be reviewed.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need every taxation service?
No. The appropriate services depend on your activities, income and ownership structure. A review can identify the areas that apply and avoid unnecessary work.
Can you help with both business and personal tax?
Yes. McRock Berkeley’s service range includes company taxation and personal matters such as Self Assessment, property, capital gains and inheritance planning. Coordinating these areas can make it easier to understand your overall position.
Can an accountant guarantee a smaller tax bill?
No. Advice can identify legitimate claims, correct errors and help you make informed decisions, but the result depends on your facts and the applicable rules.
Can you help if my records are incomplete?
Contact us to discuss what is available and what is missing. The first step is to identify the gaps and agree how the information can be reconstructed or obtained.
How much do taxation services cost?
The scope and complexity of the work determine the fee. Share the services you need, the volume of records and any urgent issues so that an appropriate scope and quotation can be discussed.
Speak to McRock Berkeley about your taxation needs
Whether you need help with one return or ongoing support across several tax areas, we can discuss your circumstances and the next steps. Explore our taxation services or contact the team to arrange a consultation.
Official guidance and further reading
For the underlying rules, see GOV.UK guidance on Self Assessment, Corporation Tax, VAT, payroll reporting, CIS, Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance Tax and foreign income.
This article provides a general overview of our services. Tax treatment depends on individual circumstances and the rules for the relevant tax year.