accounting for freelancers

Rated 5/5 on Google★★★★★
AAT QUALIFIED ACCOUNTANT

Accounting for Freelancers, done properly

I handle your self assessment, tax returns and bookkeeping personally, so you always know exactly where you stand with HMRC.

Fixed fees, plain English, and a same-day response whenever you have a question. You deal with me directly, every time.

★★★★★Google Review

“Would 100% recommend, is always polite, professional and helpful! His knowledge has been a saving grace many times.”

Sally Radford · verified client
Luke Jackson FMAAT, accountant for freelancers and sole traders across the UK
7+ years of practice experience
AAT Level 4 qualified, FMAAT
5/5 rating across all Google Reviews
Same-day responses, always
QuickBooks ProAdvisor and FreeAgent Partner

Is your freelance tax on track?

Answer five quick questions and get a clear, personalised next step based on where you are right now.

WHAT I DO

What I handle on your behalf

From self assessment to VAT and bookkeeping, I take the financial admin off your plate so you can focus on client work.

01

Self Assessment Tax Returns

I prepare and file your self assessment return accurately and on time, making sure every allowable expense is claimed. You do not need to understand the form. I translate what HMRC needs into plain steps and handle the submission directly. Penalties for late or inaccurate filing start at £100, so getting this right matters.

Included for all sole traders
02

Bookkeeping and VAT Returns

I keep your records in order throughout the year using cloud software you already use or are comfortable learning, including QuickBooks, FreeAgent, Xero and Sage. VAT returns and Making Tax Digital submissions are handled personally for every client. You will always know what you owe before HMRC tells you.

MTD-ready from day one
03

Tax Planning for Freelancers

Most freelancers pay more tax than they need to because no one has taken the time to look at their full picture. I review your income, expenses and structure at least once a year to make sure you are not leaving money on the table. This is a conversation, not a form, and it happens proactively rather than at year-end.

Included year-round
WHY IT WORKS

Why clients come back every year

Three things that make working with Anchor genuinely different from a standard accountancy firm.

You deal with me, not a junior

There are no handoffs here. Every email you send, every question you ask and every return that gets filed goes through me personally. I know your situation because I built it with you. That continuity is something larger firms cannot replicate when staff change every year.

Fixed fees, agreed upfront

You know exactly what you are paying before we start. There are no hourly billing surprises and no charge for picking up the phone with a quick question. A fixed monthly or annual fee means you can budget properly and actually ask the questions you have been putting off.

Fast answers when it matters

Freelance income moves quickly and questions cannot always wait until next month. I respond to client messages the same day because most queries are time-sensitive. Whether it is a client asking for a proof of income letter or a tax bill that does not look right, you get a real answer fast.

FROM CLIENTS I WORK WITH

What clients say

★★★★★

“I had been filing my own returns for three years and dreaded every January. Luke sorted everything in a week, found expenses I had missed and I ended up paying less tax than I expected. Wish I had done this sooner.”

R.M.
Freelance Web Developer
★★★★★

“As a self-employed designer, the admin side of running my business always felt like a second job. Luke took it over completely. I know my numbers now and I actually feel in control for the first time.”

S.P.
Freelance Graphic Designer
★★★★★

“I was nervous about switching accountants mid-year but it was completely painless. Luke handled the transfer, got me set up on FreeAgent and has been quick to reply every time I have had a question since.”

T.A.
Freelance Copywriter
GETTING STARTED

How it works

Four straightforward steps from your first contact to having everything handled.

01

Book a free call

You book a free introductory call at a time that suits you. No forms to fill in first. I just want to hear about your situation and understand what you need help with.

02

I review your position

After we speak, I look at your current setup, any previous returns, and what needs doing. This tells me exactly what your accounting involves and whether there are any gaps or missed opportunities.

03

We agree a fixed fee

I give you a clear, fixed price for everything we have discussed. No vague estimates. You know exactly what is covered and what you will pay before anything is signed.

04

I handle everything from there

Once you are on board, I take care of your bookkeeping, returns and any HMRC correspondence personally. You get a same-day response when questions come up and a proactive heads-up before any deadline.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Common questions

You can file your own self assessment, and many freelancers do for the first year or two. The cost of getting it wrong, though, is real. HMRC penalties for late or inaccurate filings start at £100, and missed expense claims mean paying more tax than you owe. Most clients find that working with me costs less than the tax they were overpaying.
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax requires sole traders earning over £50,000 to submit quarterly updates to HMRC using compatible software, starting April 2026. The threshold drops to £30,000 in April 2027 and £20,000 in April 2028. I handle all MTD submissions personally for clients and set up the right software from day one, so the change does not create extra work for you.
No. Most people who come to me are in exactly this position and the situation is almost always fixable. The earlier we start, the more options we have. Even if records are incomplete, I can work through what is available and help you piece together an accurate picture for HMRC.
Every client pays a fixed fee agreed upfront, so there are no surprises. The cost depends on what you need, whether that is a straightforward self assessment return or ongoing bookkeeping and VAT as well. Book a free call and I will give you a clear figure before anything is agreed.