Accountants for Painters and Decorators in Ipswich
Self Assessment, VAT and bookkeeping for Ipswich painters and decorators, with CIS support where contract decorating work applies. No jargon, no surprises, no inflated fees.
Built for painting and decorating work
Tax sorted for Ipswich painters and decorators, without the jargon
Painting and decorating work in Ipswich ranges from private domestic redecoration to larger contract work on new build and renovation projects. Private work billed directly to homeowners is taxed through normal Self Assessment. Decorating carried out as a subcontractor for a main contractor, particularly on new build or larger renovation projects, can fall within the Construction Industry Scheme, with 20 percent deducted from your invoices before you are paid. Many decorators have a mix of both across a tax year.
Hammer & Ledger Tax is based at 50 Princes Street in Ipswich town centre. We work with sole trader painters and decorators and small decorating companies across Ipswich and Suffolk, and we understand the trade: materials bought per job, van stock, seasonal demand around house moves, and the CIS statements that apply on contract work.
As Suffolk’s county town, Ipswich has a steady flow of decorating work tied to house moves and renovations across the established housing stock in the wider IP postcode area, alongside contract decorating work on new developments such as the Ipswich Garden Suburb to the north of town. Whether your income is mostly private domestic work, contract decorating, or a mix, we build your tax position, including CIS where it applies, around what your invoices actually show.
WHAT WE HANDLE
Accounting services for painters and decorators
Everything a self-employed heating engineer or small HVAC company in Ipswich needs, under one roof.
Self Assessment
Your tax return prepared, checked in plain English and filed before the 31 January deadline, with every allowable expense claimed correctly.
CIS Refunds and Compliance.
For subcontracted decorating work carried out for a main contractor. We check any CIS statements you receive and chase your refund through.
Bookkeeping
Snap your receipts, we do the rest. Cloud bookkeeping that keeps materials invoices, private job income and any CIS statements matched and filed as you go.
VAT for Painters and Decorators
Registration when you cross the threshold, the right scheme for your work, and the domestic reverse charge handled correctly on any CIS contract work.
Sole Trader to Ltd.
Earning enough that a limited company might save you tax? We run the numbers on your actual figures and handle formation if it stacks up.
Payroll
Taking on an apprentice decorator or a second pair of hands? We run PAYE payroll so your team is paid right, with pension auto enrolment set up correctly alongside it.
HOW IT WORKS
From job sheets to filed and sorted
Book a free review
A quick call about your work, your income and what you have been claiming so far. No obligation, no sales pitch.
Send us your records
CIS statements, invoices, receipts, mileage. Photos from your phone are fine. We will tell you exactly what we need.
We prepare and file
Your return prepared by an ACMA qualified accountant, checked with you in plain English, then filed with HMRC.
Refund and support
Any CIS refund chased through to your bank account, and year round support whenever a tax question comes up.
WHY HAMMER & LEDGER TAX
Qualified, authorised and on your side
ACMA Qualified
HMRC Authorised Agent
CIMA Member
Professional Indemnity Insured
Sage Partner
FIND US IN IPSWICH
Town centre office, Suffolk wide service
Address
Phone
Email
Prefer not to travel? Everything can be handled by phone, email and WhatsApp. Most of our plumbing clients never need to visit the office.
COMMON QUESTIONS
Painters and decorators ask us these a lot
Does CIS apply to painters and decorators?
Private decorating work billed directly to a homeowner sits outside the Construction Industry Scheme. Decorating carried out as a subcontractor for a main contractor, particularly on new build or larger renovation projects, can fall within CIS. Many decorators have a mix of both, and we make sure each is reported correctly.
What expenses can a painter and decorator claim?
Typical claims include tools and equipment, van costs or mileage, materials not billed on to the customer, workwear and PPE, insurance, and access equipment such as ladders and trestles. What applies to you depends on your actual set up.
I mostly do private domestic redecorating. Do I still need an accountant who understands CIS?
If all of your work is private and direct to homeowners, CIS will not usually apply to you, but it is still worth working with an accountant who understands the trade, including seasonal income and materials costs specific to decorating.
Should I switch from sole trader to a limited company?
It depends mostly on your profit level, your plans and how you take money out of the business. We run your actual numbers rather than a rule of thumb.
Do I need to visit your Ipswich office?
No. Most painting and decorating clients send their records by phone photo, email or WhatsApp, and we handle everything remotely. The office at 50 Princes Street is available if you would prefer to meet in person.
KEEP EXPLORING
Useful next steps
Ready When YOU ARE
Get your decorating tax sorted the easy way
Book a free review with an Ipswich accountant who actually understands your trade. It takes 15 minutes and costs nothing.
