Transport, haulage and logistics businesses run on tight margins, high fixed costs and long customer payment terms. Fuel, vehicles, drivers and compliance all compete for cash, so accurate numbers and sound tax planning make a real difference. We work with owner-drivers, small fleets and established hauliers to keep the business compliant, profitable and ready to grow.
Vehicles and capital allowances
Lorries, vans, trailers and workshop equipment usually qualify for capital allowances, and the timing of a purchase can have a big effect on your tax bill. Companies may be able to claim full expensing on new plant and machinery, and the Annual Investment Allowance covers most purchases for unincorporated businesses. We help you decide whether to buy outright, use hire purchase or lease, and make sure every claim is made correctly. We also keep track of the different rules for cars and certain double cab pick-ups, which are treated differently from goods vehicles.
Drivers, payroll and employment status
Many hauliers use a mix of employed drivers, agency staff and self-employed owner-drivers. Getting employment status wrong can lead to unexpected PAYE, National Insurance and holiday pay liabilities. We review your arrangements, run payroll, handle expenses and subsistence correctly, and help you stay on the right side of National Minimum Wage rules, including for time spent waiting or on standby.
VAT for hauliers
VAT on transport can be complex, particularly for international work, where the place of supply and any zero-rating depend on who the customer is and where the goods are moving. We help with VAT registration, fuel and vehicle VAT recovery, and the right scheme for your business, and we review international contracts so that VAT is charged correctly.
Operator licence and cash flow
Holders of an operator’s licence must show they have enough financial resources to run their vehicles. We prepare accounts, management information and the evidence needed to demonstrate financial standing. Because customers often pay late, we also build cash flow forecasts, look at invoice finance and other funding options, and help you price jobs on a true cost-per-mile basis.
How we help
- Annual accounts, tax returns and Making Tax Digital for sole traders
- Bookkeeping, VAT returns and payroll
- Capital allowances and vehicle funding advice
- Management accounts, cost-per-mile and job profitability reporting
- Financial standing evidence for operator licences
- Business sale, succession and exit planning
Related services and insights
- Business Funding
- Business Outsourcing
- Contractors & Sub-Contractors
- Succession & Profit Extraction
- Tax update February 2024: double cab pick-ups and CGT allowance
Talk to us
Book an appointment to discuss your transport business.