You must register for Self Assessment with HMRC by 5 October following the end of the tax year in which you became self-employed. You will need your National Insurance number. HMRC will then issue a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR), which you should keep safe for future tax returns and correspondence.

If you have recently moved to the UK, need a National Insurance number or would like help checking your tax position, BNA Consulting can guide you through the registration process.

You must register for VAT if your taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in a rolling 12-month period, or if you expect it to exceed £90,000 in the next 30 days. The rules apply to sole traders, companies, partnerships and other organisations carrying on taxable business activity.

If the threshold is exceeded only temporarily, you may be able to ask HMRC for an exception. Businesses supplying only exempt goods or services generally cannot register.

Yes. A business with taxable turnover below £90,000 can apply for voluntary VAT registration. This can be useful where your clients are VAT registered or you want to reclaim VAT on eligible costs, but it also creates filing, record-keeping and payment responsibilities. We can help you decide whether voluntary registration is appropriate.

The steps depend on how your business is structured. A sole trader or partnership should tell HMRC that trading has stopped and complete any final Self Assessment returns. A limited company may need final accounts and Company Tax Returns, while an employer must submit a final payroll report and settle outstanding PAYE and National Insurance.

You should also cancel VAT registration where applicable and account for any assets, gains or liabilities arising on closure.

Yes. You can change accountants at any point in the year. Once you appoint BNA Consulting and authorise us to act, we can contact your previous accountant, request professional clearance and arrange the secure transfer of the records we need. We will also check upcoming filing and payment deadlines so that the handover causes as little disruption as possible.

Yes. You can meet us in person at One Kingdom Street, Paddington, W2 6BD, or arrange an online appointment. We will agree the format and time that works best for you when the consultation is booked.

Yes. BNA Consulting provides accounting and tax guidance in both English and Russian. You can discuss your circumstances in the language you are most comfortable using, while any formal filings and HMRC correspondence are handled correctly in English.

Bring any information relevant to the matter you want to discuss. This may include photo identification, your National Insurance number or UTR, recent accounts or tax returns, HMRC letters, Companies House details, payroll or VAT records and a summary of your income and expenses. If you are unsure, contact us first and we will provide a short tailored checklist.