What documents do I need to file my company tax return?

Ready to tackle your company tax return? Then, buckle up! This journey involves a bit of paperwork, but we’ve got your back. So, what should you gather? Bank statements, bookkeeping records and last year’s tax return for starters. 

Consider this your guide to assembling everything you need for a hassle-free filing experience, after all, we’re here to make the ride a lot smoother. ✨

What is a company tax return?

A company tax return is not just a form; it includes the CT600, your company accounts and supporting documents. Every UK company registered with Companies House must file a CT600 form annually.

This rule applies to big players like limited companies and public limited companies (PLCs), as well as clubs, societies and associations.

In a nutshell, if your company’s on HMRC’s radar, you’ll need to complete and submit a CT600 form each year. 📅

What documents do I need to file my company tax return?  

Ok, now it’s time for the juicy part! To file your company tax return, here’s what you’ll need to have to hand: 

Bank statements

Bank statements are your company tax return’s best friend. They spill the beans on every financial move you’ve made all year – no secrets here! 🥹

They are used to calculate your business’s overall profits by tracking income, expenses and any other financial transactions. Plus, they’ll save you from any awkward run-ins with HMRC over ‘missing’ information. 

Bookkeeping records 

Accurate bookkeeping is essential for tax filing. Whether you’re rocking old-school spreadsheets or fancy digital tools, you’ve got to keep those finances neat. We’re talking income, expenses and any adjustments you made along the way. 

Using digital bookkeeping software (like ours) can streamline the process, making it easier to extract the data needed for your company tax return. 💻

VAT records 

If your company is VAT registered, you must keep a close eye on all VAT ins and outs. That’s every penny collected on sales and spent on purchases. Keeping your VAT records in check isn’t just a good idea, it’s a must if you want to keep HMRC of your case. 🫡

What happens when you forget to submit these records, you ask? Well, that could lead to some not-so-fun penalties or a miscalculated tax bill. 

Previous year’s tax return and year-end accounts

Your previous year’s tax return and year-end accounts provide HMRC with a snapshot of your company’s financial history – hits, misses and everything in between. It allows HMRC to compare year-on-year performance and identify discrepancies. 👀

Plus, last year’s numbers are like your cheat sheet for completing your current return, as much of the data from last year can act as a reference point for this year’s filing. 🙌

Payroll documents 

If your company employs staff, you must submit payroll records, which document employees’ wages, bonuses, benefits and tax deductions. These records are your ticket to making sure PAYE and National Insurance contributions are squared away. ✅

Think of it as your financial housekeeping – keep everything neat and tidy and HMRC won’t come knocking. ✊

Loan and credit documents 

If your business has taken out any loans or credit agreements, these documents must be included in your tax return. Loan arrangements, interest payments and repayment schedules are all necessary to ensure that any debt-related expenses or liabilities are properly reported.

Plus, HMRC might want to take a peek at this information to verify that your financial statements accurately reflect your company’s borrowing and lending activities.🕵️

Funding, grants or investment documents 

If your business has received any external funding, such as grants or investments, HMRC wants to know about it.👂Why? Because they could impact your taxable income and if you want to keep things squeaky clean, proper documentation is key.

Think of it as your way of showing off how much support you’ve attracted this year. And after all, a transparent tax return is a happy tax return! 

Asset registers  

If your business owns significant assets, such as property, equipment or vehicles, you’ll need to provide an asset register documenting these. 🚗

This handy list tracks their value, purchase date and depreciation over time, which is useful when it comes to claiming tax reliefs like capital allowances. Keeping this info up-to-date helps ensure your assets are accurately reported in your return.

Ready to go?

Great! Before paying corporation tax, ensure your company is registered with Companies House. If you registered by post, through software or used an agent, handle tax registration separately. 📮

For deadlines, payments and filing info, read our article here. Missed a payment? Call HMRC at 0300 200 3410. ☎️