SimpleReturns

Quick start.

From a brand-new company to a filed Corporation Tax return, in plain English. Get set up with HMRC first, then let us do the figures with you.

Part 1 · What you'll need

First, get set up with HMRC.

Before you plug in any details, make sure you have these ready. Open any one to see exactly how to get it, how long it takes, and what turns up in the post.

Your HMRC login

The Government Gateway sign-in for dealing with HMRC online.

Sign in to your Government Gateway, or create one if the company does not have one yet. This is the login you use for everything HMRC online.

Sign in or create a Gateway
A personal tax login is not the same thing. Your own Self Assessment sign-in is not the company's account. When you sign in you should see a business tax account for the company. Lost your sign-in? Get help signing in.
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Corporation Tax switched on in that account

Having the login is not enough. Corporation Tax has to be added and activated.

Inside your Government Gateway, add Corporation Tax to the account. HMRC then posts an activation code to your registered office. You enter that code to switch Corporation Tax on. Until this is done, the return cannot be filed, so it is worth checking first.

Activation code by postArrives within 10 days
Add Corporation Tax on GOV.UK
Told HMRC the company was dormant? Tell them it is active again first, or you will not be able to switch Corporation Tax on.

Your company's UTR

The 10-digit reference HMRC posts to your registered office.

It is on any Corporation Tax letter from HMRC. If you have never had one, or it is lost, you can ask for a copy and HMRC will post it out. A brand-new company may need to wait a few days first.

Arrives by post
Ask for a copy of your UTR

Your Companies House authentication code

The code that lets you file your accounts.

This is a 6-character code from Companies House, separate from anything HMRC gives you. You request it online through WebFiling and Companies House posts it to your registered office. Do not leave it until your accounts are due.

Arrives by postUp to 10 working days
How to get your code on GOV.UK

A bank statement for your accounting period

A CSV, a PDF or even a photo is fine.

That is all we need to build your figures. Download it from your bank for the dates your accounts cover, and you are ready to start with us in Part 2.

No waiting, no post
Two things worth knowing. Letters go to your registered office, which is often your accountant's address, so tell them to look out for the post. And Corporation Tax can only sit on one Government Gateway at a time. If an old accountant holds it, a quick call to HMRC on 0300 200 3410 moves it across.

Part 2 · Filing with us

Then file it with us.

Once you are set up with HMRC, the filing itself takes about half an hour. Four short steps, and we do the heavy lifting.

  1. 1

    Upload your bank statement

    A CSV, PDF or a photo is fine. That is all we need to get started.

  2. 2

    We build your accounts and CT600

    We sort every transaction and work out the figures for you.

  3. 3

    You check every figure in plain English

    Nothing is sent until you are happy. Every number is explained, no jargon.

  4. 4

    We file to HMRC and Companies House

    Both filings go at once, and you get a confirmation from each.

Start your return

One-time low fee, no subscription. You only pay when you file.

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