When is the accounting season?
If you’ve ever wondered when accountants actually get to put their feet up, it’s a nice thought! But there is a time of year that really ramps things up.
The big one: tax return season
For most firms – including accountants in Chippenham – the busiest period tends to be January. Why? Because 31st January is the deadline for online Self Assessment tax returns in the UK.
In the weeks leading up to it, phones ring constantly and everyone suddenly remembers they meant to “sort their tax ages ago”. HMRC confirms the pressure, noting millions leave filing until the final days. There are over 11 million returns expected each year, according to HMRC’s Self Assessment statistics.
It’s intense, but it’s where accountants are busiest.
Year-end and company deadlines
It’s not just January, though. Limited companies have different filing deadlines, usually nine months after their financial year ends. If lots of clients share the same year-end – which is usually 31st March – that creates another surge of busyness for accountants the country over.
If you’re feeling overwhelmed by deadlines, chatting to experienced accountants Chippenham can make life far easier. You can find more about local support at https://chippendaleandclark.com. Note that spring and early winter can feel just as hectic for accountants in Chippenham and beyond.
Payroll and quarterly pressures
If you add in monthly payroll, quarterly VAT returns and the increasingly popular Making Tax Digital requirements, there’s rarely a completely “quiet” patch in the accountancy world.
So yes, January is peak chaos, but good accountants are busy all year round.
