When you set up in business via a limited company, your annual profits will be subject to corporation tax.
Dealing with your corporation tax affairs is one of your accountant’s key tasks, however ultimately the company directors are responsible for ensuring that the corporation tax liability is accurate, and your annual tax return is filed on time.
This is an overview of how to comply with the corporation tax rules.
Registering your new business
You are legally obliged to inform HMRC that your company has been formed after you have completed the incorporation process.
Once you appoint your accountant, you will often need to fill in a form authorising your accountant to deal with your tax affairs on behalf of your new company The relevant forms are downloadable from the HMRC website.
Sole traders are not liable to pay corporation tax. The self-employed pay income tax via the self-assessment process. For more details, read out article on how to set up as a sole trader.
Corporation tax self assessment
Each year, your company is required to complete a corporation tax return (Form CT600). From 1st April 2011, all returns must be filed online (for any accounting period ending after 31st March 2010).
Although your accountant will prepare and submit the CT600 and supporting documents, you must ensure that the information is correct, and you must also pay the liability electronically.
Each return must contain your company name, registration number, the registered office and tax reference number. You will find this on the notice to deliver a company tax return.
Accounting periods
Most businesses have a 12 month accounting period, although it is possible to set a shorter period. Your accountant can also apply to change your year end date so that it ties in with other statutory deadlines.
What are the corporation tax rates?
There are 2 rates of corporation tax, and apply according to the level of profits made by a company.
In the 2012/13 tax year, you will be charged 20% on profits of up to £300,000, the ‘small profits rate’. The main rate is 24% on profits of £1.5 million and above.
For companies that make profits between £300,000 and £1.5 million, you will pay marginal relief, to make it easier for them to move from one rate to the other.
Keeping tax records
By law, you must keep all company records for at least 6 years, and it is probably sensible to maintain your records for longer if you can afford the space! Records include all receipts, workings, invoices, and tax-related paperwork.
You need to keep all of your records for at least six years, and some would argue it’s sensible to keep them longer than that. This includes all receipts and invoices, plus the record of all sales and purchases made.
HMRC says it is acceptable to keep records in legible alternative such as an optical imaging system, where documents are scanned into a computer.
Deadlines and penalties
Your accountant can submit your CT600 return any time between the date of your company year end your statutory filing date. This is typically the latest of 12 months after the end of your year end, or 3 months after you get a notice to deliver a return.
Unsurprisingly, if you submit your return late, or the contents are inaccurate, you – and not your accountant – will be charged a penalty.
If your company is liable to pay any corporation tax, you must settle the balance by 9 months and 1 day after your normal due date. For example, if your year end was 31st December, then your payment will be due on 1st October in the following year.
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