Tax, VAT & HMRC Compliance

After years of building your construction or engineering business, there may come a point where you decide to  step back, sell up, or hand over the reins . Whether you’re planning a full exit, transferring ownership to family, or bringing in new investors, the reality is this: 👉 The way you plan (and time) your succession will determine  how much of your sale proceeds you keep, and how much goes to HMRC. The truth is, many SME owners  wait too long  to think about tax effici

Introduction - Artificial Separation & VAT Disaggregation If your construction or engineering business operates through multiple companies, perhaps one for labour, one for materials, or one for management, you could unknowingly be breaching  HMRC’s VAT rules on artificial separation and disaggregation . It’s a common trap for small and medium-sized construction firms. Many set up multiple entities for practical reasons, like dividing work or managing cash flow. But if those c

Introduction - Director Responsibilities In construction and engineering, directors carry more than hard hats and decision-making power, they carry  legal accountability . Every missed filing, unpaid tax, and compliance breach falls back on the board. The penalties can hit both the company and the individual director personally, fines, disqualification, or worse, reputational damage that lingers longer than any project delay. At  Jones Financial Accounts (JFA) , we see many d

Introduction - The Payout Options Every Owner Should Know Succession planning isn’t just about retirement, it’s about  turning years of hard work into lasting value  while protecting your company’s future. For many construction and engineering directors, the biggest question is simple but critical:  “How do I get paid, and when?” Your payout structure determines how much you actually walk away with, how much tax you’ll pay, and how your team, or buyer will fund it. The right

Introduction - Group Company Structure Makes Sense In construction and engineering, growth rarely comes from doing  more of the same.  It...

Introduction - The Tax Gap Explained In plain English, the  tax gap  is the difference between what HMRC  should  collect and what it ...

Introduction - CIS Returns Made Simple If you run a construction or engineering business in the UK, you’ve almost certainly heard of the...

Introduction - Tax Year Checklist For many construction and engineering businesses, the end of the tax year can feel like an uphill...

Introduction - Gross CIS Status For many construction and engineering businesses in the UK, the  Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)  is a...

Introduction - Register for VAT VAT (Value Added Tax) is one of those subjects that business owners hear about constantly but rarely feel...

Introduction to Tax Reliefs Every year, thousands of small businesses in the UK overpay tax simply because they aren’t aware of the...

Introduction VAT in the construction industry is one of the most misunderstood areas of tax. From new builds to renovations and...

Introduction If you’re running a construction business in the UK, chances are you’ve already heard of the Construction Industry Scheme...

Choosing the right accountant for your construction business is about far more than tax returns and bookkeeping. The building trade...

Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) returns, VAT rules, and health & safety compliance are non-negotiable in engineering. Get them wrong,...

When it comes to large-scale developments, infrastructure projects, or joint ventures in construction and engineering, risk management...

For mid-sized construction and engineering firms, every pound saved on tax is one you can reinvest in new equipment, skilled crews, or...

Mixing Personal and Business Expenses? For Construction Firms, That’s Dangerous Ground In construction, it's easy for lines to blur. One...

If you’ve recently bought tools, equipment, or machinery for your business, congratulations, you may be entitled to claim capital...

If you’re a director of a limited company, you’ve likely heard the classic advice: “Pay yourself a small salary and top up the rest with...