# Corporation tax > Corporation tax returns and planning for limited companies in Epsom and across Surrey. CT600s from your Xero books and clear payment dates. Free consultation. Last updated: 2026-11-09 # Corporation tax for limited companies in Epsom and across Surrey ## CT600s, payment dates and tax planning from the team that looks after you best. ## *Our corporation tax service prepares and files your CT600, works out what you owe, gives you the exact payment date, and looks for legitimate ways to reduce the bill before your year closes. We act for limited companies in Epsom and across Surrey, and we work online with companies nationwide. Because we process your finances throughout the year and prepare your accounts, your corporation tax computation starts from detailed ledgers instead of a year-end summary.* ### What our corporation tax service covers - A corporation tax computation from your accounts, adjusted for items HMRC does not allow - Your Company Tax Return (CT600), filed with the accounts and computations in iXBRL - Capital allowances on equipment and vehicles - Use of trading losses, carried forward or back where the rules allow - A payment reminder with the amount and payment reference, ahead of the deadline - Planning during the year, not after it, on directors' pay, pensions and company cars - The director's personal tax return, included in the package - Limited liability partnerships and companies reporting under FRS 102, prepared in specialist software ### Corporation tax rates for 2026/27 - **£50,000 or less:** 19%, the small profits rate - **£50,001 to £250,000:** 25% less marginal relief, an effective 26.5% on each extra pound in this band - **Over £250,000:** 25%, the main rate These limits are shared between associated companies and reduced for accounting periods shorter than 12 months. ### Corporation tax deadlines - **Register for corporation tax:** Within 3 months of starting to trade - **Pay corporation tax (profits up to £1.5 million):** 9 months and 1 day after the end of your accounting period - **File the Company Tax Return:** 12 months after the end of your accounting period - **Pay corporation tax (profits over £1.5 million):** Quarterly instalments Payment falls due before the return does. For a 31 March year end, the tax is due on 1 January and the return by 31 March the following year. That is why we prepare your tax alongside your [annual accounts](https://loveyouraccountants.com/services/annual-accounts) and send the payment details early. You must file a return even if your company made a loss or owes no tax. ### Reducing your corporation tax bill within the rules Most decisions that change your bill have to be made before your year end. We talk to you during the year so you can act while it still counts. - **Capital allowances.** Equipment, vehicles and fit-out costs can qualify. We flag capital purchases when we code the bill. - **Employer pension contributions.** These are generally deductible for the company and we model them against salary and dividends. - **Salary and dividend mix.** The right split depends on your profits, your other income and whether you can claim the Employment Allowance. Our guide on [paying yourself from a limited company](https://loveyouraccountants.com/knowledge/pay-yourself-limited-company-tax-efficiently) explains the options. - **Company cars.** Electric cars are taxed far more lightly than diesel, so the choice of vehicle changes the cost to you and the company. - **Mobile phones and other allowed benefits.** Some benefits are exempt, and we check which apply to you. - **Allowable costs.** Detailed ledgers show every cost that qualifies, and separate items that do not, such as client entertainment. - **R&D relief.** We screen your work each year for projects that could qualify and can give an independent review on third party R&D specialists who complete your tax claim.. We use only reliefs HMRC allows. If a plan carries risk we tell you before you decide as our strategy revolves around our clients having stress-free finances, not fearing a HMRC call for a scheme that has been used. ### Corporation tax automations that give you your figure early We aim for you to know your corporation tax figure before your year ends, so you can set the cash aside. - **Tax bills no longer become a suprise.** A running corporation tax estimate from your live Xero profit, shown in your reporting. Removes: cash flow shocks at payment time. - **Computations are built from a year-end trial balance.** A computation prepared from your Xero ledgers, with items such as entertaining identified when each bill is coded. Removes: hunting through bills for disallowable items. - **You buy equipment during the year.** Capital purchases flagged when the bill is coded, so allowances are claimed. Removes: missed capital allowances. - **Directors choose salary, dividends and pensions.** A planner built in Excel for your company, showing the tax and National Insurance on each option. Removes: guessing the mix before year end. - **The payment date is close.** A reminder with the amount and payment reference ahead of the 9 months and 1 day deadline. Removes: late payment interest and potential fines for your business. - **Filing dates are easy to miss.** A filing diary tied to your accounts for you and for us. Removes: missed returns and penalties. ### How we handle your corporation tax 1. **Free consultation.** We look at your company, your year end and what planning you have done before. 2. **In-year planning.** Your monthly or quarterly catch-up call covers tax, so decisions happen before year end. 3. **Accounts and computation.** We prepare your annual accounts and your corporation tax together. 4. **Sign-off.** We walk you through the figures and the amount due before anything is filed. 5. **Filing and payment.** We file the return and send the payment details with the due date. 6. **Review.** Your annual business review looks at what to change next year. ### Missed returns and HMRC letters If you have missed a return, we file it and tell you what penalties and interest to expect. For returns with a filing date on or after 1 April 2026, the late filing penalty is £200, rising to £400 if the return is three months late. Our guide covers the [corporation tax late filing penalties](https://loveyouraccountants.com/knowledge/corporation-tax-late-filing-penalties-doubled) in full. If HMRC sends a letter, we read it with you and reply. Our [tax investigation insurance](https://loveyouraccountants.com/services/tax-investigation-insurance) starts at £17.50 plus VAT a month. If HMRC opens an enquiry, we provide our services to help resolve it without charging extra. ### Who our corporation tax service suits Most of our clients here are owner-managed companies, from first-year start-ups to businesses with a few dozen staff. If your first set of accounts covers more than 12 months, corporation tax needs two returns, and we prepare both. Good tax planning depends on accurate ledgers, so see our [bookkeeping services](https://loveyouraccountants.com/services/bookkeeping) if yours need attention. For staff, see our [payroll services](https://loveyouraccountants.com/services/payroll). ### What our clients say "Andy and his team have kept us informed and up to date at all times." Simon Irwin, Google review. "They go far beyond previous firms I have worked with and have the expertise to offer a wide range of support." Justin Girdler, Google review. ### The people behind your tax A senior member of the team who knows your company prepares your company's tax. Rob Young ACA, our Managing Director, checks the guidance on this page, and our founder Andy Mildner, who is CIMA qualified, still works with clients. We are CIMA registered and an ICAEW-accredited training provider. [Meet the team](https://loveyouraccountants.com/about). ### Where to find us Planning conversations work well face to face, and we are always happy to sit down with you. Visit us at 2A The Quadrant, Epsom, Surrey KT17 4RH, call 01372 374143, or we will meet you at your premises in Surrey. We prepare corporation tax for companies in [Epsom](https://loveyouraccountants.com/locations/epsom), [Cobham](https://loveyouraccountants.com/locations/cobham), [Sutton](https://loveyouraccountants.com/locations/sutton), Leatherhead and Banstead, and further across [Surrey](https://loveyouraccountants.com/locations/surrey). #### View more services - [Outsourced finance function 01](https://loveyouraccountants.com/services/outsourced-finance-function) - [Accounting & tax compliance 02](https://loveyouraccountants.com/services/accounting-tax-compliance) - [Bookkeeping, payroll and auto-enrolment solutions 03](https://loveyouraccountants.com/services/bookkeeping-payroll-and-auto-enrolment-solutions) - [Strategic business development 04](https://loveyouraccountants.com/services/strategic-business-development) - [SEIS/EIS tax relief 05](https://loveyouraccountants.com/services/seis-eis-tax-relief) - [Tax Investigation Insurance 06](https://loveyouraccountants.com/services/tax-investigation-insurance) ## Frequently Asked Questions. ## How much do you charge? We charge a fixed monthly fee based on the time your work takes, and corporation tax sits inside that package alongside bookkeeping, VAT, annual accounts and the director's personal tax return. A typical package runs from £250 to £500 a month. See how fees are built in our guide to [how much accountants cost](https://loveyouraccountants.com/knowledge/how-much-do-accountants-cost). ## Does corporation tax apply to sole traders? No. Sole traders and partnerships pay income tax through Self Assessment. We prepare those returns as well. ## Do I need to register for corporation tax? Yes. Tell HMRC within 3 months of starting to do business. We can do this when we set up your books. ## What happens if I have missed a return? HMRC charges a late filing penalty of £200 for returns with a filing date on or after 1 April 2026, rising to £400 if the return is three months late, with higher amounts for repeat lateness. We file the overdue return, bring your accounts up to date and tell you what to expect. ## How can I legitimately reduce my corporation tax bill? Capital allowances, employer pension contributions, the salary and dividend mix, company car choice, allowed benefits and R&D relief all change the bill. Most need decisions before year end, which is why we plan with you during the year. ## How do associated companies change the limits? Companies under common control share the £50,000 and £250,000 limits between them, so each company's limits fall as the number of companies rises. We check your group structure when we prepare the return. ## What is marginal relief? It eases the rate between 19% and 25% for profits from £50,001 to £250,000. For a company with £120,000 of profit and no associated companies, it reduces the bill by £1,950. ## Do I file a return if my company made a loss? Yes. You must file a Company Tax Return even if the company made a loss or owes no tax. A loss can often be carried to another period, which is one more reason to file it correctly. ## When is the Company Tax Return due? 12 months after the end of your accounting period. The payment date comes first, so we prepare the return alongside your accounts. ## When do I pay corporation tax? 9 months and 1 day after the end of your accounting period, if your profits are up to £1.5 million. Companies with profits above that pay quarterly instalments. ## What is the corporation tax rate for 2026/27? 19% on profits up to £50,000 and 25% on profits over £250,000. Profits between the two pay 25% less marginal relief. The limits are shared between associated companies. ### You can count on us to make your accounting worries disappear in **4 easy steps** **Our onboarding process is extremely simple; the steps below can be tailored to your requirements.** ![](https://loveyouraccountants.com/images/services/step-illustration.svg) Step 1 Initial meeting We provide a free consultation to understand the pain points of your business and explore different options [Contact us](https://loveyouraccountants.com/contact) Step 2 Sign up After creating a plan, we agree an ongoing fee to implement an efficient management process to look after your personal and company finances [Contact us](https://loveyouraccountants.com/contact) Step 3 Re-work and re-engineer the processes After implementation, the initially drafted process plan is amended as needed to ensure optimum efficiency and clarity over strategy [Contact us](https://loveyouraccountants.com/contact) Step 4 Supporting you going forward Depending on your needs and size we will look to provide holistic support across the business which can include looking after your finances and coaching [Contact us](https://loveyouraccountants.com/contact) Step 1 Initial meeting We provide a free consultation to understand the pain points of your business and explore different options [Contact us](https://loveyouraccountants.com/contact) Step 2 Sign up After creating a plan, we agree an ongoing fee to implement an efficient management process to look after your personal and company finances [Contact us](https://loveyouraccountants.com/contact) Step 3 Re-work and re-engineer the processes After implementation, the initially drafted process plan is amended as needed to ensure optimum efficiency and clarity over strategy [Contact us](https://loveyouraccountants.com/contact) Step 4 Supporting you going forward Depending on your needs and size we will look to provide holistic support across the business which can include looking after your finances and coaching [Contact us](https://loveyouraccountants.com/contact)