… Control of Your Finances… Confidence in Your Business… Clarity on Your Taxes
Shh… It’s a secret!
Arthur’s works exclusively with the OMB Connect community and client referrals.
That’s the only way in.
We focus on our people. The builders. The thinkers. The doers. You!
Those who want more than just an accountant.
Fit the bill? Choose below. 🚀
No business is too small, no dream too big…
Our Services
Accounts
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Bookkeeping & Software
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It starts right here. And it starts with you.
OMB Connect Blog
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Frequently Asked Questions?
Psst. If you have more questions checkout our free Business & Tax library.
📆 Deadlines & Compliance
When is my self-assessment tax return due?
If you’re self-employed, a company director, or earning income that isn’t taxed automatically (like rent, dividends, or side gigs), then chances are you’ll need to file a Self Assessment tax return.
It’s your responsibility to register, file, and pay, and missing a deadline can mean fines, stress, and unwanted HMRC attention.
Let’s say you started trading on 15 May 2025. That falls in the 2025/26 tax year, which runs from 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026.
Here’s the timeline if you’re filing for the first time:
06 April 2025
Start of the Tax Year
In the UK, the personal tax year starts on 6 April. From this date, any income you earn & expenses you incur will go towards your profit and loss for the year.
06 April 2025
05 April 2026
End of the Tax Year
5 April marks the end of the UK personal tax year. All income, expenses, and tax activity up to this date will be reported in your Self Assessment tax return.
05 April 2026
05 October 2026
Deadline to Register for Self-assessment
If you need to file a Self Assessment for the first time you must register with HMRC by 5 October in the tax year you started. You only need to do this once.
05 October 2026
31 October 2026
Tax Return Filing Deadline (Paper)
If you’re submitting your Self Assessment by post. Paper filing is slower and less secure, so it’s recommends filing online instead, which gives you an extra three months to submit.
31 October 2026
31 January 2027
Tax Return Filing Deadline (Online) + Tax Bill & 1st Payment on Account (if applicable)
31 January is the big one: your online Self Assessment tax return is due, along with payment of your tax bill. If you owe over £1,000, your first Payment on Account for the next tax year is usually due today too.
31 January 2027
31 July 2027
2nd Payment On Account (if applicable)
If your last tax bill was over £1,000, your second Payment on Account is due by 31 July. This is an advance payment toward next year’s tax bill, the first was due back in January.
31 July 2027
Learn more about Self Assessment deadlines, payments, and how it all works here.
What deadlines should I keep track of?
If you’re running a business, there are a few key deadlines you really don’t want to miss, because they come with penalties, interest, and avoidable stress. Here’s what should be on your radar
We’ve already broken down Self Assessment above. Now take a gander at the rest of the dates that matter.
🏢 Limited Company Accounts & Corporation Tax
◾ Accounts to Companies House: 9 months after year-end
◾ Corporation Tax payment: 9 months and 1 day after year-end
◾ CT600 tax return: 12 months after year-end
📄 Confirmation Statement
◾ Due annually — usually on the anniversary of incorporation (or the last statement filed)
💷 PAYE & Payroll
◾ RTI submissions: On or before every payday
◾ PAYE payments to HMRC: 22nd of the following month (or 19th if paying by post)
📊 VAT Returns
◾ Usually quarterly, Filed and paid one month and 7 days after the end of your VAT quarter
🧱 CIS (Construction Industry Scheme)
◾ CIS returns for contractors: Due monthly by the 19th
◾ CIS tax payments: Also due by the 22nd of the month
📥 You can download your FREE Business Deadline Tracker here.
Psst… it’s just one of the many free guides, templates, and tools you get inside OMB Connect.
When are Limited company accounts due in the UK?
Your company’s accounts are due 9 months after the end of your financial year.
So, if your accounting year ends on 31 March 2025, your accounts need to be filed with Companies House by 31 December 2025.
Your Corporation Tax return (CT600) is due slightly later (12 months after your year-end).
But our beautifully quaint tax system requires the payment of any corporation tax owed within 9 months and 1 day after year-end.
So even though you have longer to file the CT600 company tax form, if you owe any taxes (and if you’ve made a profit, you will!) then we have to prepare and file the accounts sooner then 12 months.
It’s a staggered system that confuses many business owners, and that’s exactly why we keep you ahead of deadlines, not chasing them.
If you’re just starting out, your first set of accounts may have a different due date, depending on your company’s incorporation date. But don’t stress, we track all of this for our clients and explain it clearly inside OMB Connect too.
What happens if I miss my filing deadline for company accounts?
HMRC and Companies House don’t mess around when it comes to deadlines. Miss your filing date, and you’ll face automatic fines, even if your company made no profit, and the longer you leave it, the worse it gets.
But it’s not just about the fines.
Your company’s accounts are public, which means anyone, clients, investors, lenders, even your competitors, can look them up on Companies House. Yes, really. Every UK company’s filings are visible online. (Unless they’re a sole trader… in which case, their numbers are still a mystery.)
So if your accounts are late or missing, it doesn’t just hurt your wallet, it sends the wrong message.
But we’ve got you covered! For every service you’re signed up for, we’ll handle the filings, keep you compliant, and make sure your public records stay squeaky clean.
🧾 Getting Set Up
Do I have to worry about registrations and filings?
You’re responsible for them, but you don’t have to lose sleep over them.
When you run your own business, sole trader, limited company or partnership, there are multiple things to register and file each year: from Companies House accounts, Corporation Tax returns, VAT (if registered), PAYE for employees to Self Assessment, and more.
If it can feel like a lot, that’s because it is! And no-one teaches you this.
Well, we’re changing all of that.
We make sure it all gets done on time and in the right format, while also helping you understand what each filing means for your business.
And if you’re just getting started, OMB Connect gives you step-by-step guides on registrations, deadlines, and how to set everything up the smart way, so you’re never in the dark.
Educate. Entertain. Empower.
Do I need to record every transaction in my business accounts?
Yes. There’s really no way around it. Every penny in and out of your business needs to be recorded.
That doesn’t mean you need to stress over every cup of coffee or staple, but HMRC expects your accounts to be a complete and accurate reflection of your business activity. No shortcuts, no guesswork.
You’ll need to keep all receipts and invoices, but that can be as easy as snapping a photo and uploading it to a cloud folder (like OneDrive, Google Drive, or Dropbox). Organise them by financial year, and you’re off to a solid start.
Using accounting software? Now you’re not just living la vida loca, you’re living the easy life. Most platforms let you take photos of receipts and attach them straight to your transactions. Bank feeds can automate a lot of the heavy lifting too, from reconciliations to real-time reports.
Just a heads-up: if you ever switch platforms or cancel your subscription, your records stay there, so make sure you keep backups or export key data regularly.
And if HMRC ever looks under the hood, they’ll want the full picture, not just your highlight reel.
The good news? If you’re part of the OMB Connect community, we’ll show you how to do it properly, what to track, how to stay organised, and how to avoid the chaos of the classic shoebox approach.
Do I need to use accounting software like QuickBooks, Xero or FreeAgent?
Strictly speaking? No.
But you’re serious about running a business, so using accounting software isn’t just smart, it’s essential.
These platforms help you:
◾ Connect your bank accounts for real-time tracking
◾ Snap and store receipts on the go
◾ Send invoices, track payments, and stay on top of VAT or CIS
◾ File returns directly to HMRC
◾ Keep clean, accurate records and avoid messy year-end surprises
Software helps you keep a finger on the pulse of your business.
And here’s the kicker: Making Tax Digital (MTD) is expanding and paper spreadsheets won’t cut it much longer.
HMRC is nudging every business towards digital compliance.
This matters even more if you’re a sole trader (trading under your own name). For individuals, MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA) is being rolled out in two phases:
◾ From April 2026 for those earning over £50,000
◾ From April 2027 for those earning over £30,000
We’re certified partners with all the major platforms (Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent and Sage) and we’ll help you pick the one that fits your workflow best.
If you’re part of OMB Connect, we’ll even show you how to use it like a pro, with guides, walkthroughs, and exclusive software discounts.
Bottom line? You don’t have to use software. But if you want to stay compliant, save time, and stop fearing your finances, you’ll wish you started sooner.
Can I do my own bookkeeping and just get help with tax?
Yep. And for many business owners, it’s a great starting point.
If you’re confident with software, organised with your records, and on top of your deadlines, you can absolutely handle your own day-to-day bookkeeping.
That means recording expenses, raising invoices, and reconciling your bank transactions as you go.
Then, when it’s time to file your taxes or final accounts, we step in, check everything, make sense of the numbers, and keep you compliant with HMRC.
But here’s the important bit, good bookkeeping isn’t just data entry. If things aren’t recorded properly, it could cost you in lost deductions, higher tax bills, or late penalties.
That’s why we offer training, support, and regular reviews, so even if you’re doing it yourself, you’re never doing it alone. Every client gets a free 1-hour training session with their dedicated accountant to get set up the right way.
And if you’re part of OMB Connect, you’ll also get access to checklists, walkthroughs, and tools to help you build a system that works from day one.
💸 Tax & Strategy
What tax do I pay as a Limited company?
If you run a Limited company, the main tax you’ll pay is Corporation Tax on your profits, currently 19% or 25%, depending on the company’s profits. You’ll also need to file annual accounts with Companies House and a CT600 tax return with HMRC.
But that’s just the company’s tax.
As the director or shareholder, you’ll also pay personal tax on any income you take out, like salary (through PAYE) or dividends. The split between those two matters, and getting it wrong can cost you thousands.
If you’re VAT registered, there’s VAT to report and pay too. Got employees? Add PAYE, National Insurance, and maybe even Pensions Auto-Enrolment into the mix.
It sounds like a lot, but with the right setup, it’s all manageable. That’s exactly what Arthur’s (and OMB Connect) helps you do: understand what you owe, why you owe it, and how to pay it in the smartest way possible
Should I pay myself in dividends or salary?
Short answer? Probably both, but the right mix depends on your setup, your goals, and how much profit your company is making.
Salary is treated as a business expense, which reduces your company’s Corporation Tax bill. It also builds up your National Insurance record (useful for things like state pension eligibility), and can make things easier for mortgage applications.
Dividends are taken from profits after tax. You don’t pay National Insurance on them, and the tax rates are usually lower, which is why many directors use them to top up their income tax efficiently.
But here’s the catch: pay yourself only in dividends, and you could miss out on tax-deductible benefits, or fall foul of HMRC if profits aren’t there to support it.
We’ll help you strike the right balance, and if you’re part of OMB Connect, you’ll learn exactly why the strategy works, not just what to do.
Read and learn about profit extraction and so much more here.
Can Arthur’s help me with tax planning for my Limited company?
Absolutely! And not just at year-end.
We don’t believe in reactive accounting. With the right tax planning, you can reduce your liabilities, reinvest wisely, and grow your business without giving HMRC more than you legally owe.
From choosing the right mix of salary and dividends, to timing expenses, claiming reliefs, and using director benefits properly, we help you plan ahead and stay efficient all year round.
And if you’re part of the OMB Connect community, you don’t just get expert advice, you get access to free tools, templates, checklists, and guides to help you make smart, informed decisions any time of year.
📥 You can download your FREE Business Deadline Tracker here.
💼 Working With Arthur’s
What’s the difference between OMB Connect and Arthur’s?
Think of OMB Connect and Arthur’s as two parts of the same mission: helping owner-managed businesses take control of their finances and grow with confidence.
OMB Connect is the educational side: it’s where you’ll find our blog, courses, tools, eBooks and community, all designed to help you learn how to manage your own accounts, taxes, and business decisions like a pro.
Arthur’s Consultancy is the professional services arm. It’s our partner accountancy firm that handles the doing, accounts, tax returns, payroll, company admin, and strategic advice, for clients who want trusted hands-on support.
The two work hand-in-hand:
If you’re in the OMB Connect community, you get access to Arthur’s, along with discounts, guidance, and a team that already speaks your language.
We educate. We empower. And when you’re ready, we execute.
The two work hand-in-hand.
If you’re in the OMB Connect community, you can get access to Arthur’s, along with discounts, guidance, and a team that already speaks your language.
We educate. We empower. And when you’re ready, we execute.
What’s included in Arthur’s fixed monthly fee?
No surprises. No guesswork.
Your fixed monthly fee covers everything you need to stay compliant, supported, and stress-free all year round. That includes:
📊 All your core accounting and tax services
From year-end accounts to Corporation Tax, we handle the essentials so you don’t have to.
🧠 Free 1-Hour Training Session/ Financial MOT
As part of your onboarding, you’ll get a one-off 1:1 training session with our team. Either a full accounting software walkthrough or a financial MOT to get you set up, confident, and in control from day one.
📞 Unlimited quick questions
Got a doubt or a curveball from HMRC? Email or call us. No extra fees for short and sweet queries.
💡 Proactive support and expert advice
We don’t just wait for year-end. We help you plan, save, and stay sharp throughout the year.
What’s not included?
We keep it simple:
◾ If a quick question turns into an in-depth consultation, we’ll always let you know before charging.
◾ One-off tasks outside your regular scope (like capital gains assessments or HMRC investigations) will be quoted clearly and billed separately, no sneaky surprises.
Joining mid-year? Here’s how it works:
If you join us after your financial year has already started, your first invoice will include a one-off catch-up fee, covering the months we’ve missed.
This ensures you’re covered from the start of the year, not just from when we met.
After that, you’re billed monthly, pro-rata, based on your agreed annual fee, just like in the diagram below.
