Corporation Tax Return Services
Corporation tax isn’t just another business expense—it’s a legal obligation that can significantly impact your company’s financial health. A late or incorrect CT600 submission can lead to penalties, while unclaimed reliefs mean paying more tax than necessary.
We handle the complexities of corporation tax returns, ensuring your business stays compliant while making full use of available allowances and deductions. Whether you run a small business, e-commerce store, professional service firm, or multinational enterprise, we structure your tax affairs to minimise liabilities and improve cash flow.
Who Needs Corporation Tax Return Services?
Every UK limited company must file a corporation tax return with HMRC, even if it has not made a profit. The complexity of tax obligations varies by industry, turnover, and corporate structure.
- Startups & Small Businesses: Handling initial tax filings, loss relief, and allowable expenses.
- E-Commerce & Digital Businesses: Managing VAT interactions, international tax compliance, and R&D claims.
- Professional Services: Ensuring tax-efficient profit extraction for consultants, legal firms, and financial advisors.
- Construction & Real Estate: Structuring capital allowances for property portfolios and build costs.
- Manufacturing & Engineering: Identifying qualifying R&D tax relief claims.
- Hospitality & Retail: Managing tax implications of seasonal cash flow and VAT registration thresholds.
1.Corporation Tax Return: What’s Included?
HMRC requires all companies to submit a CT600 tax return, detailing profits, losses, and tax adjustments. Failure to file on time results in penalties starting at £100. We ensure:
- Accurate CT600 completion, avoiding errors that trigger audits.
- Electronic submission to HMRC for efficiency and traceability.
- Reconciliation of tax liabilities, preventing unexpected tax bills.
2.Corporation Tax Calculation & Tax-Saving Strategies
Many businesses overpay due to misclassified expenses or missed deductions. We optimize tax positions by:
- Claiming all allowable business expenses (staff wages, software, travel, office rent).
- Applying capital allowances for investments in machinery, vehicles, and IT equipment.
- Utilizing loss relief to offset previous or future profits, reducing taxable income.
3.R&D Tax Relief & Incentives
Research & Development (R&D) tax relief is widely underclaimed, particularly in sectors like technology, engineering, and pharmaceuticals. We assess eligibility for:
- SME R&D Relief: Reducing tax bills by up to 230% of qualifying costs.
- Research and Development Expenditure Credit (RDEC): A cash credit for larger businesses.
- Patent Box Regime: Lowering corporation tax to 10% on profits from patented innovations.
4.Profit Extraction & Tax-Efficient Remuneration
How you withdraw profits from your business affects corporation tax, personal tax, and National Insurance (NI) contributions. We advise on:
- Dividends vs. Salary: Structuring director compensation to reduce overall tax burden.
- Pension Contributions: Employer pension payments are tax-deductible.
- Company Loans & Benefits: Ensuring compliance with HMRC’s benefit-in-kind (BIK) rules.
5.HMRC Enquiries & Compliance Checks
Corporation tax investigations can arise from random checks or flagged inconsistencies in tax filings. We:
- Review historical tax returns for compliance risks.
- Represent you in HMRC disputes, providing evidence and documentation.
- Negotiate penalty reductions where necessary.
6.Common Corporation Tax Mistakes That Businesses Make
Misclassified Expenses: Failing to claim deductible costs such as business travel or software subscriptions.
- Late Tax Payments: HMRC penalties apply after just one day of delay.
- Missed R&D Tax Credits: Many eligible businesses fail to claim due to lack of awareness.
- Loss Relief Errors: Not offsetting losses against past or future profits.
- Ignoring VAT & Corporation Tax Interactions: Poor planning can lead to unnecessary double taxation.
Reduce Your Corporation Tax Bill — File with Confidence
Corporation tax isn’t just a compliance requirement—it directly impacts profitability. We ensure accurate tax filings, reclaim available reliefs, and structure profits efficiently. Minimise tax liabilities and keep more of what you earn. Speak with us today.
Frequently Asked Questions
A CT600 must be submitted within 12 months of the end of your accounting period, but the tax payment is due 9 months and 1 day after the end of the period.
Allowable deductions include office rent, software, staff salaries, travel, and business-related training costs
Yes, losses can be carried forward or back to offset taxable profits, reducing future tax bills.
Late filing penalties start at £100, increasing for continued delays. HMRC may estimate your tax bill, which is often higher than the actual liability.
A combination of salary and dividends is usually best. Salary reduces corporation tax and counts toward state pension eligibility, while dividends are taxed at lower personal rates.
