★ ICAEW Chartered Accountants

Corporation tax that works for you, not against you

From filing your CT600 to building a long-term tax strategy, Hulljady Chartered Accountants helps UK limited companies stay compliant and keep more of what they earn.

ICAEW RegulatedHMRC Registered AgentOver 20 Years’ ExperienceFixed-Fee Engagements AvailableDedicated Account Manager

WHAT WE DO

Corporation tax services for limited companies

Whether you’re a start-up filing your first return or an established business managing a complex tax position, we have the expertise to help.

CT600 Preparation

Accurate preparation of your company tax return with full supporting computations, submitted to HMRC on time and in the right format.

Tax Planning & Strategy

Proactive advice on structuring your business, dividends, and capital transactions to legally minimise your corporation tax liability.

R&D Tax Relief Claims

If your company innovates in technology, engineering, science, or software, you may qualify for significant R&D tax credits.

Capital Allowances

Claiming the Annual Investment Allowance and full expensing on qualifying capital expenditure & reducing your taxable profits significantly.

Loss Relief & Carry-Back

We identify all available relief options & carry-back, group relief, or carrying forward & to recover tax or reduce future bills.

HMRC Enquiry Support

If HMRC opens an enquiry into your corporation tax return, we act as your agent throughout & managing correspondence and protecting your position.

KEY DATES

Corporation tax deadlines you must not miss

Missing an HMRC deadline triggers automatic penalties and interest. These are the key dates for every UK limited company.

9m
Tax payment dueCorporation tax must be paid 9 months and 1 day after the end of your accounting period. Large companies pay quarterly in advance.
12m
CT600 filing deadlineYour company tax return (CT600) must be filed with HMRC within 12 months of the end of your accounting period.
£100
Automatic penalty — day 1 lateA flat penalty applies immediately if your return is filed late, rising to £200 after 3 months. Serious delays trigger tax-geared penalties.
2.5%
Late payment interest rate (approx.)HMRC charges interest on unpaid corporation tax from the due date. This accrues daily and is not tax-deductible.

SAVE MORE TAX

Reliefs and allowances your company could be missing

Many UK businesses pay more corporation tax than they need to because they overlook legitimate reliefs. Here are some of the most valuable.

Annual Investment Allowance

A 100% first-year deduction on up to £1 million of qualifying plant and machinery expenditure. Significantly reduces taxable profits in the year of purchase.

R&D Tax Credits (SME & RDEC)

SMEs can claim enhanced deductions or cash credits on qualifying R&D costs. The merged RDEC scheme applies from April 2024 for most companies.

Creative Industry Tax Reliefs

Film, TV, video games, theatre, and music productions may qualify for sector-specific enhanced reliefs, offering substantial savings for qualifying companies.

Structures & Buildings Allowance

A 3% annual deduction on the cost of constructing or renovating qualifying commercial buildings. Particularly valuable for property-holding companies.

Group Relief

Where one group company makes a loss, it can surrender that loss to a profitable group company, reducing the profitable company’s corporation tax bill.

Director Pension Contributions

Employer pension contributions are fully deductible against corporation tax (subject to conditions), making them one of the most tax-efficient ways to extract profits.

WHY HULLJADY

Chartered accountants who take your tax personally

We’re not a faceless national firm. Every client has a named, qualified accountant who understands their business — and picks up the phone when it matters.

  • ICAEW-qualified accountants on every file
  • No surprise bills — transparent, fixed-fee pricing
  • Proactive tax planning, not just annual compliance
  • Experience across all sectors and company sizes
  • HMRC agent access — we liaise directly on your behalf
20+
Years in practice
500+
Companies advised
£0
Missed filing deadlines
5
Average client rating

COMMON QUESTIONS

Corporation tax — frequently asked questions

When does my company have to pay corporation tax?

For most small and medium-sized companies, corporation tax must be paid 9 months and 1 day after the end of your accounting period. For example, if your year-end is 31 March, payment is due by 1 January the following year. Large companies — broadly those with profits over £1.5 million — must pay in quarterly instalments during the accounting period itself.

Corporation tax is charged on the profits of limited companies and certain other organisations. Income tax, by contrast, is charged on individuals — including sole traders and partners in a partnership, who pay income tax on their business profits rather than corporation tax. Directors and employees pay income tax on their salaries via PAYE.

Yes. Every active UK limited company must file a corporation tax return (CT600) for each accounting period, regardless of whether it made a profit or a loss. If the company is dormant, you can apply to HMRC for dormancy confirmation, but even then you may still need to file statutory accounts with Companies House.

HMRC requires you to keep business records for at least 6 years from the end of the accounting period they relate to. This includes invoices, receipts, bank statements, payroll records, and records of any assets purchased or sold. For R&D claims, it is particularly important to document qualifying activities contemporaneously.

Yes, subject to conditions. A company can pay a director or employee a use-of-home allowance, which is deductible for corporation tax. HMRC publishes approved flat rates, but a more tailored calculation can often justify a higher claim. Hulljady can help establish a compliant and defensible figure for your circumstances.

READY TO GET STARTED?

Let's make sure you're not paying a penny more than you should

Book a free, no-obligation consultation with one of our chartered accountants. We’ll review your current position and tell you exactly how we can help.

2025/26 TAX YEAR

Current UK corporation tax rates

Since April 2023, corporation tax is no longer one-size-fits-all. The rate your company pays depends on its annual taxable profits.

Small profits rate
19%
Profits up to £50,000
Main rate
25%
Profits over £250,000
Marginal relief
19–25%
Profits between £50,001 and £250,000 — a tapered rate applies
Important: If your company has associated companies or is in a group, the profit thresholds are divided between them. This can push you into a higher rate band sooner than expected. Hulljady can model the impact for your group structure.