Accountancy fees
Fees for preparing business accounts and dealing with the tax affairs of the business are normally allowable.
Sole traderAllowable
Ltd companyAllowable
EmployeeNot allowable
Conditions
- The work must relate to the business — preparing accounts, bookkeeping, payroll, or filing business tax returns.
- Costs of dealing with a tax investigation or personal tax planning may be treated differently; check the position.
Common mistakes
- Claiming the cost of personal tax advice unrelated to the business.
- Including fees for capital or one-off transactions that may need separate treatment.
What to keep
- Invoices from your accountant or bookkeeper.
Real-world example
A limited company pays its accountant to prepare the annual accounts and corporation tax return. These fees are a normal cost of running the company and are allowable.
Frequently asked
Are the costs of completing my Self Assessment allowable?
The element relating to the business accounts is usually allowable. A purely personal element may not be, so it can help to ask your accountant to split the fee.
Not sure how this applies to you?
The rules shift with your circumstances. A qualified accountant can confirm what you can claim and handle it for you.
Find an accountantRelated allowances
Source: HMRC guidance · Last checked 2026-03-01
This page is general information based on HMRC published guidance, not tax advice. Status shown is a plain-English summary — your own position can differ. Always check the HMRC source above and speak to a qualified accountant before making a claim.