UK Startup Accounting Guides
In-depth guides written for UK startup founders — covering every major accounting and tax decision from incorporation to Series A. Each guide includes worked examples, HMRC data, and an interactive tool.
The Complete Guide to R&D Tax Credits for UK Startups
R&D tax credits are an HMRC scheme that returns between 20% and 27% of a UK company's qualifying research and development expenditure — either as a reduction in Corporation Tax or, for loss-making companies, as a direct cash payment. Under the merged scheme introduced in April 2024, most UK startups claim at a 20% credit rate, while R&D-intensive SMEs spending more than 30% of their total expenditure on R&D qualify for the enhanced 27% rate.
The Complete Guide to SEIS and EIS for UK Startups
SEIS (Seed Enterprise Investment Scheme) allows early-stage UK startups to offer their investors 50% income tax relief on investments up to £200,000 per investor per year, plus capital gains tax exemption on exit. To use SEIS, your company must be fewer than three years old, have fewer than 25 employees, have gross assets below £350,000, and carry on a qualifying trade. Most tech, software, and product startups qualify.
The Complete Guide to UK Startup Tax Reliefs
UK startups can access SEIS (50% investor income tax relief), EIS (30% investor relief for larger rounds), R&D tax credits (20–27% cashback on qualifying development expenditure), EMI share option schemes (discounted options for employees), Annual Investment Allowance (100% capital deduction on equipment), and sector-specific reliefs including Video Games Tax Relief, Animation Tax Relief, and High-End TV Tax Relief.
The Complete Guide to Cash Flow Forecasting for UK Startups
Cash flow forecasting for UK startups involves maintaining two parallel models: a rolling 13-week week-by-week operational model that gives four to eight weeks of early warning before cash constraints, and an 18-month monthly model for investor and lender conversations. The 13-week model is updated weekly using actual bank movements; the 18-month model is refreshed monthly and updated immediately after any material change to commercial assumptions.
The Complete Guide to Registering a Startup in the UK
Registering a UK startup involves incorporating a limited company with Companies House (£12 online, typically 24 hours), registering for Corporation Tax with HMRC within three months of starting to trade, registering for VAT if turnover will exceed £90,000, and setting up PAYE if hiring employees. For startups planning to raise investment, applying for SEIS advance assurance from HMRC before issuing any shares is an additional critical step.
The Complete Guide to Growth Planning for UK Startups
A credible UK startup growth plan includes a three-year integrated financial model with monthly granularity in year one, documented revenue assumptions tied to specific commercial milestones, a headcount plan linked to the revenue model, a capital requirements schedule showing precisely when and why capital is needed, and an HMRC relief optimisation layer showing how R&D credits, EMI options, and EIS reduce effective cash requirements.
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