The UK tax system is a complex arena that for many can feel at best confusing and at worst genuinely terrifying. We know this, but we also know the ins and outs of what’s required at each stage and we’re here to help.
At Darnells, all your HMRC tax questions and dilemmas can be answered by our expert team. With over 80 years of experience in tax and accounting and a calm and professional approach to even the most complicated and wide-ranging tax needs, we can help you find the best solutions.
Tax advice and payment queries are time sensitive so we are used to working quickly and efficiently. Minimising fuss, offering clear and concise guidance and giving you peace of mind that everything is in hand. Whatever the size of your company or the stage of your business journey, get in touch to find out how our tax team can help.
We file tax returns, including self-assessment returns, for a large number of our clients. Keeping up to date with every change to the tax and income system, we apply our professional experience to optimise each client’s tax position and ensure that returns are filed in detail and on time to avoid any penalties.
Handing over your tax returns to us can help you free up more time to focus on growing your business and meeting your customers’ needs. It also alleviates any worries you have about understanding and submitting a tax return accurately.
Structuring your business in the right way can make a significant difference to how much tax you pay. Whether you’re planning for growth, considering a sale or thinking about retirement, the decisions you make now will affect your tax position for years to come.
We can help you develop your business plan and your company structure to legitimately optimise tax on profits, disposal or retirement. We can also offer advice on fully utilising all available tax reliefs and shelters.
These can include:
VAT is one of the most complex areas of UK taxation. The rules change frequently, errors can prove costly and Making Tax Digital has added new compliance requirements for many businesses.
Whether you have a routine tax query, an impending compliance visit, a complex capital goods scheme or a property-related problem, we can help. We cover all aspects of VAT, from completing quarterly returns to multifaceted transactional issues.
Our accurate and efficient advice can really make a difference to your business.
With proven strategies designed to suit landlords, second home owners and developers, we have helped thousands of clients to optimise their tax position. We can also help you to secure tax-efficient financing for property acquisitions.
We offer expert guidance on:
When you sell or dispose of an asset that has increased in value, you may need to pay Capital Gains Tax. This can apply to property, shares, business assets and other investments. The rules around what you owe and when depend on your individual circumstances.
By using specific tax exemptions and the offset of losses to improve tax efficiency, we can guide you towards the best CGT solution to suit your circumstances. You will also get help on optimising any Business Asset Disposal Relief and principal private residence relief.
With options, price structures and guidance to suit all business types, our established, full-spectrum corporate tax services include:
HMRC continues to increase its focus on tax investigations as part of ongoing efforts to close the tax gap. With more enquiries being opened each year, businesses and individuals need to be prepared.
Regardless of whether an enquiry has resulted from an omission within your tax report or because of a misunderstanding of the complex tax system we have here in the UK, let us help you resolve the issue quickly and without fuss. By allowing our team to find the source of the problem and guide you towards the solution, you’ll find that the impact on your finances can often be reduced.
We can handle any and all communications with HMRC for you, negotiating on your behalf and finding a settlement that suits all parties. We can also complete any necessary disclosures and arrange payments or instalments to get your tax up to date and your finances back on track. Let our team take on the burden of your tax investigation and feel confident that everything is in hand.
An accountant prepares and files financial records, annual accounts and tax returns on your behalf. A tax adviser goes further, providing strategic guidance on how to structure your affairs to optimise your tax position. Many chartered accountancy firms, including Darnells, offer both services, meaning clients receive accurate compliance work alongside proactive tax planning rather than having to engage separate professionals.
Yes. If HMRC opens an enquiry into your tax affairs, a qualified tax adviser can manage the entire process on your behalf. This includes reviewing the correspondence, identifying the source of any discrepancy, communicating directly with HMRC and negotiating a resolution. Acting quickly with professional representation often leads to a more straightforward outcome and can reduce the financial impact of any settlement.
Tax planning means arranging your finances in a way that makes full use of the reliefs, allowances and structures that UK tax legislation permits. Tax avoidance, by contrast, refers to artificial or contrived arrangements designed to exploit loopholes, many of which HMRC actively challenges and legislation has closed. ICAEW regulated advisers work within accepted legal boundaries to optimise your tax position, which is a legitimate and professional service distinct from avoidance schemes.
Yes. All advice we provide is treated as confidential and will not be disclosed to third parties without your consent. As ICAEW regulated accountants, we are bound by strict professional and ethical standards regarding client confidentiality.
Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax launched on 6 April 2026 for the first group of taxpayers – sole traders and landlords with qualifying gross income above £50,000. Those above £30,000 will be mandated from April 2027 and those above £20,000 from April 2028. Under the new rules, affected taxpayers must maintain digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC rather than a single annual return. A tax adviser can help you confirm whether you are in scope, set up compliant software and manage your reporting obligations throughout the year.
ICAEW regulated accountants are held to some of the highest professional standards in the world. This means ongoing training, adherence to a strict code of ethics and oversight by a recognised professional body. It provides assurance that the advice you receive is accurate, compliant and in your best interests.
Secure your financial success with guidance from our experienced professionals tailored to your specific goals.
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