Stop Spending Your Evenings on VAT Paperwork
VAT return service for small businesses in Suffolk, handled personally by Ben Kennell, a sole-trader bookkeeper based in Ipswich.
I prepare your figures, reconcile your records and submit directly to HMRC through Xero each quarter. You get a compliant return filed on time, without touching HMRC’s portal yourself.
Is your VAT setup putting you at risk?
Four questions. Under two minutes. Find out where your VAT compliance actually stands.
How are you currently handling your VAT returns?
How would you describe the state of your VAT records right now?
Have you ever missed a VAT filing deadline or received an HMRC penalty?
Are you currently submitting VAT returns through MTD-compatible software?
Your current VAT setup carries real compliance risk
Based on your answers, you are likely spending significant time on VAT admin while carrying genuine risk of penalties or errors. Since 31 March 2026, HMRC closed its legacy online filing service, meaning all VAT-registered businesses must now submit through MTD-compatible software. If you are still filing manually or are unsure whether your records are correct, a missed deadline or a miscalculated return could result in a penalty you could have avoided. A free call with me takes fifteen minutes and costs nothing.
You are managing, but the time and uncertainty are adding up
You are getting returns filed, but the hours spent each quarter and the lingering doubt about whether things are correct are a real drain on a small business owner. Having a bookkeeper who handles the full process, including reconciliation and submission, removes that uncertainty entirely. The cost is often far lower than the time you are already spending.
Your VAT compliance is in reasonable shape
You have a solid process in place. If you are looking for a dedicated bookkeeper to take the quarterly task fully off your plate, or to consolidate VAT with payroll and bookkeeping under one fixed monthly cost, I am happy to talk through whether that makes sense for your business.
What I handle as part of your VAT return service
Every part of the quarterly VAT process, from your records to HMRC submission.
Quarterly VAT Return Preparation and Submission
I reconcile your income and expenditure, calculate your VAT liability and submit your return to HMRC through Xero each quarter. You receive confirmation once it is filed, without needing to log into HMRC’s portal yourself.
Core VAT ServiceMTD for VAT Compliance via Xero
Since 31 March 2026, HMRC’s legacy online filing service has closed and all VAT returns must go through MTD-compatible software. I use Xero for all submissions, which is fully MTD-compliant, so your business meets the current legal requirement.
MTD ComplianceVAT Record-Keeping and Xero Setup
If your records are not currently held in Xero, I can set up your account, import your data and bring your books up to date before your next return is due. Keeping records digitally in Xero is now a legal requirement under MTD for VAT, not optional.
Xero and Record-KeepingWhy working directly with me is different
A personal bookkeeper is not the same as an anonymous online portal or a firm that passes you between staff.
You deal with me directly, every time
There is no team, no junior handling your account and no call centre. When you send me your bank statements or have a question about your return, I am the person who responds. That means nothing falls through the gap between handoffs.
Fixed monthly pricing with nothing hidden
Pricing starts from £25 per month and is agreed upfront. You know exactly what VAT returns and associated bookkeeping will cost before you commit to anything. There are no surprise invoices at quarter-end.
Deadlines are tracked and managed for you
HMRC assigns VAT-registered businesses to quarterly stagger groups, which means your filing window is specific to your business, not a generic calendar date. I track your deadlines and start your return in enough time that late filing is not a risk you carry.
What clients say
How we get started
A straightforward four-step process from your first call to your first return filed.
Book a free call
We spend fifteen minutes on a call so I can understand your business, your VAT obligations and where things stand with your current records. There is no charge for this and no obligation to proceed.
I review your records and Xero setup
Once you decide to go ahead, I look at your existing bookkeeping and assess what needs to be set up or tidied before your next VAT return is due. If you are not already on Xero, I handle the setup.
Your first return is prepared and submitted
I reconcile your figures, prepare the return and submit it to HMRC through Xero ahead of your filing deadline. You receive confirmation once it is done, along with a clear summary of your VAT position.
Ongoing quarterly returns, handled as standard
From that point forward, your quarterly VAT returns are included in your fixed monthly cost. I track your deadlines, prepare your return and submit it without you needing to chase or remind me.
Choose your next step
Pick the option that fits where you are right now.
Common questions about my VAT return service
Related services and local areas I cover
Reliable, accurate, and local. Acme Accounting Services provides a full suite of accounting services to small businesses in Ipswich, Suffolk and beyond.
💛 5% of revenue donated to St. Elizabeth’s Hospice, Ipswich.