The InvoiceAdept blog.

Practical guides on Making Tax Digital, invoicing, and running a successful trades business, written in plain English, not accountant-speak.

MTDmaking-tax-digitalsoftware

MTD compatible software for tradespeople: the best options in 2026

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax starts in April 2026. Here are the best MTD-compatible software options for UK tradespeople — including free and paid tools, what to look for, and how to get set up.

12 March 20265 min read
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taxself-assessmentHMRC

UK tax deadlines for the self-employed: your 2026 and 2027 calendar

Miss a self-assessment deadline and HMRC will fine you — even if you owe nothing. Here are all the key UK tax dates for 2026 and 2027 that self-employed tradespeople need in their diary.

12 March 20265 min read
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business-tipsplumbingmarketing

How to grow a plumbing business in the UK: practical tips for 2026

Running a plumbing business but stuck at the same revenue level year after year? Here are the practical strategies that actually work for UK plumbers looking to grow — from Google rankings to customer referrals to pricing your work properly.

12 March 20266 min read
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invoicingcredit-noteVAT

Credit note template UK (2026): what to include, VAT rules and how to issue one

UK credit note for trades (2026): Reg 15C checklist, 14-day rule from refund/offset, original invoice number and date, credit note vs refund, VAT 6-year vs Income Tax retention. InvoiceAdept keeps records; it does not file to HMRC.

12 March 202614 min read
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invoicingmaintenance contractsrecurring billing

How to set up recurring invoices for maintenance contracts

Learn how to set up recurring invoices for maintenance contracts, retainer agreements, and ongoing service work. Save hours each month with automated billing.

11 March 20267 min read
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vatinvoicingtax

VAT invoice requirements UK 2026: what must appear on every invoice

A plain-English guide to what HMRC requires on VAT invoices in 2026, including the differences between full, simplified, and modified invoices.

11 March 20268 min read
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InvoicingProformaVAT

Proforma invoice vs tax invoice UK (2026): CIS, VAT and when to use each

Proforma vs tax invoice for UK trades — payment request vs VAT invoice, CIS when a contractor pays, usually no CIS for householders, VAT £90k.

11 March 20265 min read
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invoicingcompliancebusiness records

How Long to Keep Invoices in the UK: HMRC Rules Explained

Discover HMRC's rules on invoice retention for UK businesses, including specific durations and compliance tips.

11 March 20267 min read
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getting paidcash flowinvoicing

Get paid faster as a UK tradesperson (2026): same-day invoices, deposits and clear terms

Practical UK trades guide to get paid faster: same-day invoices, deposits, stages, card vs BACS, 14-day terms and B2B late-pay rights.

11 March 202612 min read
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unpaid invoicessmall claimsdebt recovery

How to deal with clients who will not pay in the UK

Step-by-step guide to recovering unpaid invoices in the UK, from polite reminders through to small claims court, with costs and timelines.

11 March 20268 min read
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VATTax & ComplianceUK Trades

When to register for VAT UK (2026): £90,000 threshold for trades

When to register for VAT UK (2026): £90,000 threshold for trades, historic vs future tests, voluntary registration, deregistration and MTD.

11 March 20266 min read
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mileagetaxself-employed

How to claim mileage as a tradesperson in the UK

HMRC lets you claim 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles and 25p after that. Here is how to track and claim mileage correctly as a self-employed tradesperson.

11 March 20265 min read
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