The Small Business Guide to Paying Taxes UK(Without the Headache)
by Hayleigh Barrett
Whether you’re self-employed or running a limited company, tax can feel confusing, stressful, and like a never-ending guessing game.
“How do I pay it? When is it due? What happens if I forget?”
If that sounds familiar, you’re not alone. The good news? We’ve created a set of short, plain-English guides to help you figure out exactly what you need to do (and when), no jargon or judgment involved.
This post is your one-stop shop to every tax-related FAQ, whether you’re new to business or just tired of Googling the same things.
🧾 How to Pay Your Taxes (the links you need)
Below you’ll find a list of the most common small business taxes… what they are, when they’re due, and how to pay them. Each one links to a full step-by-step blog post with extra guidance.
💼 1. How do I pay Corporation Tax?
If you run a limited company, you’ll need to pay Corporation Tax on your profits. The deadline is usually 9 months and 1 day after your financial year ends.
💷 2. How do I pay VAT?
If you’re VAT registered, you’ll need to submit VAT returns and pay what you owe every quarter (unless you have chosen to submit your VAT Returns Monthly or Annually). The deadline is usually one month and 7 days after the VAT quarter ends.
👩💻 3. How do I pay PAYE?
If you’re running payroll, you’ll need to submit a Full Payment Submission (FPS) and pay PAYE tax and National Insurance for your employees.
🧱 4. How do I pay CIS (Construction Industry Scheme)?
If you’re a contractor in the construction industry, you need to pay CIS deductions to HMRC usually by the 19th of each month.
👤 5. How do I pay Income Tax?
If you’re self-employed, you’ll need to file a Self Assessment and pay your Income Tax and National Insurance by 31st January each year.
🛠️ 6. I’ve just started self-employment. What do I need to do?
You’ve taken the leap… now what? Here’s when to register with HMRC and how to prepare for your first tax return.
🏢 7. I’ve just set up a limited company. What happens now?
Your business is live on Companies House… now what? This post explains your new responsibilities and when your first year-end falls.
🧾 8. What counts as a business expense?
If you’re self-employed and not sure what you can and can’t claim, this one’s for you. Spoiler: your morning coffee is probably not deductible (sorry).
💡 Bonus: How to stay on top of tax without the overwhelm
Once you’ve figured out what to pay, the next step is staying organised so you’re not panicking every deadline.
Here are a few tips:
📆 Set calendar reminders for tax deadlines
📁 Keep digital records of receipts and invoices
💻 Use software like Xero or QuickBooks to track income and expenses
💬 Work with the pros (hi 👋)
FAQs: Small Business Taxes Made Simple
Q: When do I need to register for VAT?
A: You must register if your VAT-taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in any rolling 12-month period. You can also register voluntarily.
Q: How do I pay my Corporation Tax?
A: You’ll need to pay within 9 months and 1 day of your company’s financial year-end, using your Government Gateway account.
Q: What if I’ve just become self-employed?
A: You need to register with HMRC by 5 October after the end of the tax year in which you started.
Q: Can I pay Income Tax in instalments?
A: Yes, HMRC may let you set up a payment plan if you can’t pay your tax bill in full by the deadline.
Q: What happens if I miss a tax deadline?
A: You may face penalties or interest, but it’s best to contact HMRC or your bookkeeper as soon as possible to fix it.
👋 Still confused? You’re not alone
We speak to small business owners every day who feel completely lost when it comes to tax. And the truth is, it’s not your fault. No one teaches this stuff.
But the good news? You don’t have to figure it all out alone.
When you’re working with us, you never have to panic about the brown HMRC envelope landing on your doormat.
We’ll make sure everything’s filed, paid and handled, so you can focus on growing your business (not untangling tax codes).
Whether you want us to take it off your plate entirely or just need a bit of support getting on top of things, we’re here for you.
Please feel free to reach out to our team.
📧 ask@barrettstacey.co.uk
📞 0117 290 1204
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