Corporation tax return services

Preparing a Company Tax Return involves more than entering figures into a CT600 form. Your accounts must be reviewed, taxable profits calculated correctly, relevant adjustments made and supporting information submitted to HMRC in the required format.

Asmat & Co Accountants provides dependable corporation tax return services for UK limited companies. We manage the process from reviewing your accounting records through to preparing the tax calculation, checking available reliefs and submitting the completed return to HMRC.

With 19 years of hands-on experience since 2007, our qualified team understands how Corporation Tax rules apply to owner-managed businesses, growing companies, contractors, property businesses and established organisations. You receive clear explanations, practical advice and a dedicated point of contact throughout the process.

Accurate Corporation Tax Returns without the year-end stress

As a company director, you are responsible for ensuring your Company Tax Return is accurate and submitted on time, even when an accountant prepares it for you. Errors, missing information or late filing can result in additional tax, interest, penalties and unnecessary HMRC enquiries.

Our role is to remove that uncertainty. We review the financial information behind your return, explain the calculation in plain English and make sure you understand how much Corporation Tax is due and when it must be paid.

Our service can include:

• Reviewing your bookkeeping and year-end records
• Preparing or checking your statutory accounts
• Calculating taxable company profits
• Completing the CT600 Company Tax Return
• Preparing supporting tax computations
• Reviewing allowable business expenditure
• Calculating capital allowances
• Considering trading losses and available reliefs
• Reviewing director remuneration and dividends
• Preparing any relevant supplementary pages
• Submitting the return to HMRC using compatible software
• Confirming your Corporation Tax payment deadline
• Responding to routine HMRC correspondence relating to the return

Before filing, we provide the return and calculation for your approval so you know exactly what is being reported.

Who needs to submit a Company Tax Return?

A company or organisation will generally need to submit a Company Tax Return when HMRC issues a notice requiring one.

This normally applies to:

• Private limited companies
• Public limited companies
• Property investment companies
• Professional service companies
• Contractor and consultancy companies
• E-commerce businesses
• Community interest companies
• Clubs, societies and associations that are within Corporation Tax
• Companies that have made a taxable profit
• Companies that have made a loss
• Companies with no Corporation Tax to pay when HMRC still requires a return

Sole traders and ordinary partnerships do not submit Company Tax Returns. Their profits are generally reported through Self Assessment instead.

Businesses requiring wider ongoing support can also use our limited company accountants service for accounts, tax and day-to-day financial guidance.

What is included in a Corporation Tax Return?

A Company Tax Return is commonly referred to as a CT600, but the complete submission can contain several connected documents.

Depending on your circumstances, it may include:

The CT600 form

The CT600 reports essential details about your company, its taxable profits, relief claims and Corporation Tax liability.

Statutory company accounts

Your annual accounts show your company’s financial performance and position. These usually form part of the information submitted with the return.

Our company accounts service can ensure your statutory accounts and Corporation Tax position are prepared consistently.

Detailed tax computations

The profit shown in your company accounts is not automatically the amount on which Corporation Tax is charged. Tax computations adjust the accounting profit for items that are treated differently under tax rules.

These adjustments may include:

• Depreciation
• Capital allowances
• Non-allowable expenses
• Business entertainment
• Private expenditure
• Director loan transactions
• Pension contributions
• Donations
• Interest and finance costs
• Trading losses
• Tax relief claims

Supplementary information

Additional forms may be required where your company has particular income, gains, losses, relief claims or transactions. We identify the schedules relevant to your circumstances and include them with the submission.

Corporation Tax rates and marginal relief

The Corporation Tax rate your company pays depends on its taxable profits and circumstances.

For standard UK company profits, the small profits rate is currently 19% where taxable profits are £50,000 or less. The main rate is 25% where taxable profits exceed £250,000. Companies with profits between these levels may qualify for marginal relief, which gradually increases the effective rate.

These thresholds may be reduced where your company has associated companies or where the accounting period is shorter than 12 months. This is one reason a proper review is important rather than applying a headline rate to the profit in your accounts.

We calculate the appropriate rate based on your accounting period, taxable profits, associated companies and relevant reliefs.

Corporation Tax filing and payment deadlines

For most companies, the Corporation Tax payment deadline is earlier than the filing deadline.

The usual deadlines are:

• Corporation Tax payment: 9 months and 1 day after the accounting period ends
• Company Tax Return filing: 12 months after the accounting period ends
• Annual accounts filing: usually 9 months after the company’s financial year ends for a private limited company

Different payment rules can apply to larger companies that are required to pay Corporation Tax by instalments.

Your company’s first accounting year can also create additional complexity. A Company Tax Return cannot cover more than 12 months, so a new company may need to submit 2 returns when its first set of accounts covers a longer period.

We confirm the dates that apply to your company and help you plan for the payment before it becomes due.

Reducing your Corporation Tax within the rules

Corporation Tax planning should happen throughout the year, not only when the filing deadline is approaching.

As part of preparing your return, we consider whether your company has correctly claimed legitimate expenses, allowances and reliefs. Depending on your activities, this may include:

• Capital allowances on qualifying equipment and machinery
• Annual Investment Allowance
• Full expensing where available
• Employer pension contributions
• Trading loss relief
• Charitable donations
• Relevant research and development relief
• Employment-related costs
• Professional subscriptions and business insurance
• Qualifying training and development costs

Tax relief is not automatic in every case. The expenditure must meet the relevant conditions and be supported by appropriate records. We explain which claims are available, what evidence is required and how the claim affects your final liability.

Reliable records lead to reliable tax returns

Your Corporation Tax calculation is only as accurate as the records behind it. Missing invoices, unreconciled bank transactions or personal spending recorded as a business cost can cause errors and delays.

Our bookkeeping services can keep your records organised throughout the year, making the year-end process faster and giving you a clearer picture of your expected tax bill.

Information we may request includes:

• Business bank statements
• Sales invoices
• Purchase invoices and receipts
• Payroll records
• VAT records
• Loan and finance agreements
• Asset purchase details
• Director expense claims
• Dividend paperwork
• Pension contribution records
• Details of grants or other income
• Previous accounts and tax returns
• Information about associated companies
• Records of losses brought forward

Where we identify missing information or unusual transactions, we discuss them with you before completing the return.

Coordinating Corporation Tax with VAT and other obligations

Corporation Tax does not operate in isolation. Your VAT returns, payroll submissions, bookkeeping, annual accounts and director’s Self Assessment may all contain information connected to your company’s tax position.

For example, an unreconciled VAT balance, incorrectly processed payroll cost or director loan transaction can affect the year-end accounts and tax calculation.

Our team reviews the wider picture rather than treating the CT600 as a standalone form. Companies registered for VAT can also use our VAT return accountant service to keep VAT records and submissions aligned with the underlying accounts.

Our Corporation Tax Return process

Initial review

We learn about your business, accounting period, company structure and previous filing position. We also confirm whether any returns or payments are already overdue.

HMRC authorisation

Where required, we arrange authorisation to act as your accountant with HMRC. We can also communicate with your previous accountant to request the information needed for a smooth handover.

Records and accounts review

We review your bookkeeping, bank reconciliations, payroll, VAT records and year-end balances. Any missing or unclear items are raised with you before the return is prepared.

Tax calculation

We calculate your taxable profits, adjust for relevant tax rules and review available allowances, losses and reliefs.

Director approval

You receive the completed accounts, tax calculation and Company Tax Return for review. We explain the figures and answer your questions before asking for approval.

HMRC submission

Once approved, we submit the return electronically and confirm the amount due, payment reference and deadline.

Ongoing planning

We help you prepare for the next accounting period by identifying record-keeping improvements, upcoming liabilities and legitimate planning opportunities.

Help with overdue or incorrect Corporation Tax Returns

Falling behind does not make the problem disappear. HMRC can charge penalties for late Company Tax Returns, along with interest or penalties relating to unpaid tax.

We can help where:

• Your Company Tax Return is overdue
• Several accounting periods remain unfiled
• HMRC has issued a tax determination
• Your company has received penalty notices
• The original return contains an error
• Your previous accountant did not complete the filing
• Your records are incomplete
• You are unsure whether the company is active or dormant
• Your company has ceased trading but still has outstanding obligations

We first establish what has been filed, what remains outstanding and what information is available. We then create a practical plan to bring the company up to date and reduce the risk of further penalties.

Why choose Asmat & Co Accountants?

Corporation Tax needs careful calculation, reliable records and advice that reflects how your company actually operates.

When you work with Asmat & Co Accountants, you benefit from:

• 19 years of practical accounting and tax experience
• A professionally qualified team
• A dedicated accountant who understands your business
• Clear explanations without unnecessary jargon
• Proactive tax guidance rather than basic form filling
• Fixed-fee accountancy options with no hidden surprises
• Support with HMRC authorisation and accountant handovers
• Experience supporting businesses across a wide range of sectors
• Prompt telephone and email support
• A joined-up approach covering accounts, bookkeeping and business taxes

We treat the return as more than an annual compliance task. It is an opportunity to check the quality of your financial records, understand your tax position and plan more confidently for the year ahead.

Speak to us about your Company Tax Return

Whether your filing deadline is approaching, your records need attention or you want a more proactive accountant, contact our team to discuss your company and receive clear guidance on the next steps.

Frequently asked questions

What do corporation tax return services include?

Corporation tax return services normally include reviewing your accounting records, calculating taxable profits, preparing the CT600, completing tax computations, checking relevant allowances and reliefs, submitting the return to HMRC and confirming the tax payment deadline.

At Asmat & Co Accountants, we also explain the calculation before filing and highlight any record-keeping or tax planning matters that should be addressed for the next financial year.

When is a Corporation Tax Return due?

A Company Tax Return is normally due 12 months after the end of the accounting period it covers. However, the Corporation Tax payment is usually due earlier, 9 months and 1 day after the end of the accounting period.

Different payment rules may apply to companies with higher taxable profits. Your annual accounts also have a separate Companies House deadline.

Can I file my own Corporation Tax Return?

You can prepare and file your own Company Tax Return, but you must use suitable software and ensure the CT600, accounts and tax computations meet HMRC requirements.

The calculation may involve adjustments for disallowable expenses, capital allowances, losses, associated companies and other reliefs. Using an accountant can reduce the risk of errors and give you confidence that relevant claims have been considered.

Does a company need to file a return if it made a loss?

Yes. If HMRC has issued a notice to deliver a Company Tax Return, the company must normally file it even if it made a loss or has no Corporation Tax to pay.

The return may also be needed to report the loss and make or preserve a claim to use it against profits, subject to the relevant rules.

How much does a Corporation Tax Return accountant cost?

The cost depends on the quality of your records, the volume of transactions and the complexity of the company’s tax position.

A straightforward return for a small company with complete bookkeeping will usually require less work than a return involving multiple income sources, associated companies, losses, property transactions or specialist relief claims. Asmat & Co Accountants provides a clear quote based on the support your company requires.