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How much does an accountant charge for VAT returns?

VAT is quarterly, digital and easy to get wrong, so most VAT-registered businesses hand it to an accountant. Here is what preparing and filing a VAT return typically costs in 2025-26, and when it is worth bundling into a monthly fee.

Typical cost: GBP 100-300 per quarter

Typical cost, in context

Typical UK accountant fees by service
ServiceTypical cost
VAT returnsOften folded into a monthly package rather than billed separately.GBP 100-300per quarter
BookkeepingOr roughly GBP 25-60 per hour. Scales with transaction volume and software.GBP 100-500per month
Limited company accounts + Corporation TaxStatutory accounts filed at Companies House plus the CT600. Small company.GBP 750-2000per year
Management accountsRegular management reporting on top of statutory work.GBP 150-500per month

Indicative ranges, excluding VAT unless noted. Figures compiled July 2026; individual quotes vary with complexity and location. Related services shown for comparison.

What changes the price

  • Transaction volume: more sales and purchase invoices per quarter means more to reconcile and check.
  • VAT scheme: standard, flat-rate, cash accounting and margin schemes each carry different amounts of work.
  • Whether bookkeeping is included: a return prepared from clean, reconciled books is cheaper than one where the books are done from scratch.
  • Making Tax Digital: returns must be filed from compatible software, which most firms include but some bill separately.

When you have to register for VAT

You must register once your VAT-taxable turnover passes GBP 90,000 in any rolling 12-month period, or if you expect to cross it in the next 30 days. You can also register voluntarily below the threshold, which can pay off if your customers are VAT-registered or you reclaim a lot of input VAT. Once registered, returns are due quarterly and must be filed through Making Tax Digital-compatible software.

Standalone versus bundled

A one-off quarterly return prepared from your figures runs about GBP 100-300. But VAT is rarely truly standalone - it depends on up-to-date bookkeeping - so most businesses fold it into a monthly package alongside bookkeeping and accounts. Bundled, the marginal cost of the VAT work is usually lower than paying for four separate quarterly returns, and it keeps one firm accountable for the numbers.

Check the firm is actually regulated

Price is only half the decision. "Accountant" is not a protected title in the UK, so the cheapest quote is not always from a qualified, accountable firm. Any business doing accountancy work is legally required to be supervised for anti-money-laundering, and the strongest firms are also members of a body such as ICAEW, ACCA or AAT. Before you pay, confirm the firm is AML-supervised and on the public record.

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Frequently asked questions

How much does an accountant charge for VAT returns?

A quarterly VAT return typically costs GBP 100-300 on its own, depending on transaction volume and scheme. Many businesses have it included in a monthly package rather than billed per quarter.

When do I have to register for VAT?

When your VAT-taxable turnover exceeds GBP 90,000 over any rolling 12 months, or you expect to exceed it within the next 30 days. Voluntary registration below the threshold is also allowed.

Do I need software to file VAT?

Yes. Under Making Tax Digital, VAT returns must be kept and filed using compatible software such as Xero, QuickBooks or FreeAgent. Most accountants file on your behalf through their own software.

Related cost guides

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