Frequently Asked Questions

HMRC's flat rate (Approved Mileage Allowance Payments) for 2025/26 is 45p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles and 25p per mile after that.

To claim it:

• Keep a mileage log recording the date, destination, purpose, and miles for each business journey
• Multiply your total business miles by the appropriate rate
• Include the total in your Self Assessment return as a business expense

You can't claim mileage and actual vehicle running costs at the same time — it's one or the other. The flat rate is usually simpler and works well for most people.

Yes, if you work from home as part of running your business. There are two ways to claim.

The simplified flat rate: HMRC allows a fixed monthly amount based on the number of hours you work from home each month — £10 for 25 to 50 hours, £18 for 51 to 100 hours, and £26 for over 100 hours.

The actual cost method: you work out the business proportion of your household bills (mortgage interest or rent, utilities, broadband, council tax) based on the number of rooms and hours used for work.

The flat rate is simpler; the actual method tends to result in a higher deduction if your bills are significant.

The main things you can't claim are:

• Personal costs such as everyday clothing, even if you wear it for work (unless it's a uniform or protective gear)
• Entertaining clients — HMRC doesn't allow this as a deduction
• Fines and penalties such as parking tickets
• The cost of commuting from home to your regular workplace
• Training that helps you move into a new field rather than improving skills for your current one
• Any mixed-use costs where the personal element can't be separated

If you're unsure whether something qualifies, it's better to ask than to claim it incorrectly.

You can claim any cost that is wholly and exclusively for your business. Common examples include:

• Office supplies and equipment
• Business travel (excluding the commute to a regular workplace)
• Professional fees such as accountancy costs
• Stock and materials
• Software subscriptions used for work
• Marketing and advertising
• A proportion of your home costs if you work from home
• Training directly related to your current trade

The golden rule is that the expense must be genuinely for business use. If it has a personal element, you can only claim the business proportion.

Here's what we typically need to calculate and file your CGT return:

• Your completion statement from your solicitor (this shows the sale price and any deductions at completion)
• Your original purchase completion statement showing what you paid and any associated costs at the time
• Receipts or records of any capital improvements made to the property during your ownership (extensions, loft conversions, new kitchens — general maintenance doesn't count)
• Details of how the property was used over your ownership period (main home, rented out, vacant, shared use)
• If it was let at any point, approximate dates and rental income figures

You don't need to have everything perfectly organised before getting in touch. Fill in our CGT form with what you have and we'll tell you exactly what else we need.

They're separate obligations, and both may be required.

The 60-day CGT return is a standalone filing that must be done within 60 days of completion — it's not part of your annual Self Assessment return.

If you already file Self Assessment, you'll also need to declare the gain on your annual return for the tax year the sale took place in, even though you've already reported it via the 60-day return. The tax itself is paid via the 60-day return; the Self Assessment entry reconciles it for the full year.

It sounds like double admin, but we handle both as part of our service. If you need a CGT return plus a Self Assessment return for the same year, message us on live chat and we'll work out the best way to handle everything together.

Yes, you can still file — and you should do so as soon as possible.

HMRC will charge a late filing penalty automatically once the 60-day window has passed, and interest accrues on any unpaid tax. But the longer you wait, the more these charges build up.

Filing late is always better than not filing at all. HMRC may also consider the circumstances of the delay when deciding whether to pursue further action.

Message us on live chat right away and we'll file as quickly as possible to stop anything else building up.

The 60-day clock starts from the completion date, not the exchange of contracts.

Completion is the day the sale legally finalises — when the money changes hands and the keys are handed over. Exchange can happen weeks before this, but it doesn't start the clock.

It's 60 calendar days from completion, including weekends and bank holidays. For example, if your property completed on 1 July, your deadline would be 29 August.

Don't leave it close to the deadline — we need time to gather the information and file on your behalf. Message us on live chat as soon as completion happens.