Director self assessment that tells you the bill before January
Self assessment for directors covers salary, dividends and other income, with any payment on account worked out in autumn.
One Abacus was recommended to me by several friends and I truly owe them a huge favour as this company has been exemplary! As a new limited…Molly Eve Stevens · Read the reviews
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A few quick questions, then a plain recommendation and a fixed monthly fee in writing. About two minutes. No monthly tie in.
- Salary and dividends checked
- Payment on account explained
Your return is personal, while much of the answer sits inside the company books. We bring both together early, explain what is due and include the return in your limited company package.
One Abacus handles directors’ personal tax returns for small limited companies from its two-person Brixton practice. The work sits inside one fixed monthly fee agreed in writing, and the accountant preparing it answers the phone.
- Rated 5.0 on Google
- One fixed monthly fee, agreed in writing
- FreeAgent or Xero included
- Brixton, by appointment
What changes when the return is done early
Know what belongs on the return
Salary, dividends and income outside the company are checked together.
Prepare for the amount due
Your expected bill and any payment on account are explained before January.
Put the deadline with us
We prepare and file the return as part of your limited company package.
Where a director’s tax bill starts growing unseen
The surprise usually begins months before the return is filed.
- Dividends
“I took dividends all year, then January arrived before anyone had told me what I would owe.”
The withdrawals were known, but the personal tax had not been calculated early enough to prepare.
- Salary
“I assumed payroll covered my personal tax, so I left the return until the deadline was close.”
Payroll covered the salary. The return still needed dividends and other taxable income.
- Tax bill
“I forgot the income outside my company and the amount due changed when there was little time to plan.”
Adding outside income late can change the calculation and any payment on account.
- Sorted
What changes once company and personal income are checked together
Salary and dividends are matched to the company books. Other income is added before the calculation is final. Any payment on account is explained while there is still time to prepare.
Quick check · no email
If you cannot name what belongs on your return, what may be due before January and who will file it, it is worth a conversation
Answer these three questions about your position this week.
Question 1 of 3
Do you know which salary, dividends and other income belong on your return?
Do you know what you may owe before January?
Do you know who is filing the return and by when?
Those gaps can turn January into an expensive discovery. A conversation with Ryan can establish what needs checking and when.
Most of the groundwork is covered, with one area still worth checking. Our fixed monthly package brings the company books and personal return together.
You have the essentials covered. The tax guides can help you watch for changes before the next return.
What changes when your return is planned in autumn
The filing deadline stays the same, but the experience before it changes.
A return prepared near the deadline
Salary and dividends are gathered when January is close.
Other income may surface during preparation.
The payment on account arrives with the calculation.
There is less time to prepare for the amount due.
A return planned in autumn
Company income is checked against the books.
Outside income is added before the calculation is settled.
Any payment on account is explained early.
The filing date and responsibility are already agreed.
Eight checks that stop January becoming a discovery
A yes to each one means the return is already under control.
- 01
Is every salary payment shown in the company payroll?
Yes means the salary on your return can be matched to payroll.
- 02
Are your dividends supported by the company books and paperwork?
Yes means the amount paid can be checked before preparation starts.
- 03
Have you listed income received outside the company?
Yes means freelance work, rent, interest or other income will not surface late.
- 04
Do you know whether tax was already deducted elsewhere?
Yes means that tax can be considered in the final calculation.
- 05
Have company benefits or personal expenses been identified?
Yes means items needing personal tax treatment can be reviewed.
- 06
Has any payment on account been considered?
Yes means the January amount is less likely to arrive unexplained.
- 07
Are the company accounts coordinated with your personal return?
Yes means both use the same salary and dividend information.
- 08
Is one person responsible for filing before the deadline?
Yes means the job has an owner and an agreed date.
What we handle before the return reaches HMRC
The return is prepared from work already kept together through the year.
Your taxable income
We bring salary, dividends and relevant outside income into one calculation.
The supporting company books
We match payroll and dividends to the accounts we prepare.
The amount and deadline
We explain what is due, including any payment on account, before filing.
Entry 01
What the fixed monthly package settles first
The personal return does not sit outside the agreed work.
Clients described by type. Names withheld.
What clients say
One Abacus was recommended to me by several friends and I truly owe them a huge favour as this company has been exemplary! As a new limited company myself and a novice to the contracting world I have had tons of questions and they have been dealt with promptly, effectively and in an approachable and really helpful manner. I couldn't recommend One Abacus enough!
I am currently using one Abacus for sorting out all my freelance accounts and i have to say everything has been perfect with my accountant. they are normally always available even on the weekends when you need something sorted out really quickly. they have sorting out everything from helping with mortgage and notifying when you to pay your tax. really nice and responsive people to talk to if you have questions.
One Abacus has provided me a comprehensive service, very professional accountant, but friendly at the same time, maximum availability, I couldn't be happier.
How the January surprise is removed earlier
The work starts with your company, income and deadlines.
Your position is mapped
Ryan asks how the company pays you and what other income needs considering.
The company books are ready
FreeAgent or Xero is checked so salary and dividends can be traced.
The likely bill is discussed
Your income is brought together and any payment on account is explained.
The return has a plan
Responsibility, timing and the information still needed are agreed.
When another route may suit you better
We may not be right if you only want a self-filed return checked or signed off.
We do not take on charities, CICs or construction and CIS-led businesses.
We may not be right if taxes remain unpaid and advice will not be followed.
We provide accountancy rather than daily personal administration.
Answer a few quick questions and we will tell you plainly whether there is a fit.
Questions directors ask before January arrives
Is Self assessment for directors included in the monthly fee?
Yes. For limited company clients, the director’s return sits inside one fixed monthly fee alongside payroll, VAT returns, year-end accounts, corporation tax and the confirmation statement. FreeAgent or Xero and the conversations during the year are included too. The full scope is agreed in writing before any work starts.
Can you prepare my return if I already have an accountant?
We first establish who prepares the company accounts and who holds the information needed for your personal return. The responsibilities must be agreed so salary and dividends match the company books. One Abacus only signs off work it has prepared itself, so Ryan will explain what can be taken on after reviewing your position.
Do I have to move from my current accounting software?
A move is not assumed before we understand your set-up. One Abacus works with FreeAgent and Xero, which are included in the monthly package, configured and shown to you. Ryan will check how your company books are currently kept and explain whether a change is needed before anything is moved.
What happens with my current accountant if I switch?
You do not need to wait until the company year end. Once you have agreed the work and fixed monthly fee, One Abacus contacts your current accountant for the handover information. We then check the next company and personal deadlines, set up the software where needed and tell you what remains outstanding.
Why can a payment on account make my January tax bill larger?
A payment on account is an advance payment towards a later tax bill. It can become due alongside the balance for the year just finished, which makes the January amount larger than the tax for that year alone. We calculate whether it applies and explain the amount before the filing deadline.
Does Self assessment for directors apply to every company director?
Being a company director does not automatically mean a return is required. You may need one if HMRC asks for it or your income and circumstances require reporting, including some dividend or untaxed income. Ryan checks the position rather than assuming, then explains what HMRC expects from you that year.
Three ways to take the next step
Get your personalised recommendation
Answer a few quick questions, then get a recommendation and the fixed monthly fee in writing, with a free review from Ryan if there is a fit.
Get a free quote 02 · A question firstNeed to ask one question first?
Send Ryan the detail that is holding you back and get a plain answer.
Ask Ryan a question 03 · Still decidingStill deciding how it should work?
Read the tax guides for the deadlines, income and company decisions that affect directors.
Read the tax guides →