Questions answered

Tax and HMRC Q&A

Corporation tax, payment dates, penalties and dealing with HMRC checks.

Written and reviewed by Waqas Sagar Member of ICAEW, Fellow of ACCA, Fellow of AAT, a double graduate and entrepreneur at heart, helping startups grow and serving thousands of businesses nationwide with an excellent team. Published by LimitedCompany.Accountants, 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Reviewed 12 September 2026 against 2026/27 UK rates and current Companies House and HMRC guidance.

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What this means for your company

Corporation tax, payment dates, penalties and dealing with HMRC checks. These answers reflect the 2026/27 UK position for owner-managed limited companies. Where the right answer depends on your records, we say so rather than guessing.

When is corporation tax due?

What rate will we pay?

What if we cannot pay on time?

How long can HMRC open an enquiry?

Answers

When is corporation tax due?, Nine months and one day after the end of the accounting period, three months before the CT600 filing deadline.

What rate will we pay?, 19% up to £50,000 of profit, 25% above £250,000, with marginal relief in between. Associated companies divide those limits.

What if we cannot pay on time?, Contact HMRC before the due date about a Time to Pay arrangement. Interest still runs, but agreed instalments avoid escalating enforcement.

How long can HMRC open an enquiry?, Normally twelve months from the filing date, extended where returns are late or where there has been careless or deliberate behaviour.

Can we claim R&D tax relief?, Only if the work seeks an advance in science or technology and resolves genuine technical uncertainty. Routine software configuration or design work does not qualify.

Before you act

Thresholds, rates and deadlines quoted here reflect the 2026/27 UK position. Check current GOV.UK guidance, or ask us, before you rely on them for your own company.

Local help

Talk to a limited company accountant near you

We work with company directors across London and Surrey from our office at 12 London Road, Morden, London SM4 5BQ. Pick your area, or send the form below and we will call you back.

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Tax and HMRC Q&A: questions directors ask

When is corporation tax due?

Nine months and one day after the end of the accounting period, three months before the CT600 filing deadline.

What rate will we pay?

19% up to £50,000 of profit, 25% above £250,000, with marginal relief in between. Associated companies divide those limits.

What if we cannot pay on time?

Contact HMRC before the due date about a Time to Pay arrangement. Interest still runs, but agreed instalments avoid escalating enforcement.

How long can HMRC open an enquiry?

Normally twelve months from the filing date, extended where returns are late or where there has been careless or deliberate behaviour.

Can we claim R&D tax relief?

Only if the work seeks an advance in science or technology and resolves genuine technical uncertainty. Routine software configuration or design work does not qualify.

What records are needed for tax and hmrc q&a?

Keep bank statements, sales and platform reports, purchase invoices, payroll records, VAT workings, finance agreements and Companies House correspondence. We confirm the exact list at onboarding and identify gaps before a filing deadline becomes urgent.

How much does help with tax and hmrc q&a cost?

The fee depends on transaction volume, record quality, VAT and payroll requirements, historic catch-up and the level of reporting needed. We agree a fixed scope and price before technical work starts, with published packages available on our fees page.

Can you take over tax and hmrc q&a from another accountant?

Yes. We request professional clearance, collect the prior records and authorities, check the next Companies House and HMRC deadlines, and give you one clear handover list. The process is normally completed remotely.

Can tax and hmrc q&a be handled online?

Yes. We work through secure cloud records, scheduled reviews and digital approvals, while keeping a named team available by phone, video call and email. Clients can also visit our Morden office by appointment.

Which accounting software works best for tax and hmrc q&a?

We regularly work with Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Sage and connected sales or expense apps. The right setup depends on transaction volume, integrations and the reports you need, not simply the software brand.

Included approach

Organised, explained, on schedule.

Clear scopeDeadline visibilityHuman support

Check the current rules

Use official information as your reference point.

Deadlines, thresholds and filing rules change. GOV.UK and Companies House publish the current statutory position; advice should then be applied to your company’s circumstances.

Key tax terms explained

Associated companies Close company Corporation tax Director's loan account Distributable reserves Full tax glossary

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Work with us entirely online, or sit down with your accountant at whichever office suits you. Open Monday to Friday, 9:00am to 5:30pm. Office visits are by appointment only, so please book before coming in.

Morden, Surrey12 London Road, Morden, SM4 5BQHead office, two minutes from Morden Underground station.Directions Read ACCOTAX Google reviews

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Tax and HMRC Q&A

What this means for your company

Answers

Before you act

Talk to a limited company accountant near you

More answers for company directors

Tax and HMRC Q&A: questions directors ask

When is corporation tax due?

What rate will we pay?

What if we cannot pay on time?

How long can HMRC open an enquiry?

Can we claim R&D tax relief?

What records are needed for tax and hmrc q&a?

How much does help with tax and hmrc q&a cost?

Can you take over tax and hmrc q&a from another accountant?

Can tax and hmrc q&a be handled online?

Which accounting software works best for tax and hmrc q&a?

Organised, explained, on schedule.

Use official information as your reference point.

Key tax terms explained

Tell us what is getting in the way.

Book a call

Meet us in Morden, Croydon, Chelsea or Mitcham

Book a call