Frequently asked questions

No. AFE Accountants works with creators across the UK and is remote-first, so most of the work happens by phone, video call and email. Clients can also be seen in North London if they prefer to meet in person. Where you are based does not change the service, and your records can be shared online with the team.

Yes. The first consultation with AFE is free and there is no obligation to go ahead. It is a chance to explain how you earn, what you have filed before and what worries you. The team then explains how it could help and how fees are agreed, so you can decide in your own time.

Fees are agreed before any work starts, so you know the cost in advance. The current fees model is [FEES MODEL: confirm with Adam]. The amount depends on how many income streams you have, the state of your records and whether you need VAT or company work. The first consultation is free, and the team explains the fee before you commit.

Bring a rough picture of how you earn. A list of platforms, brand partners and agents is a good start, along with any recent tax returns or letters from HMRC. Bank statements and payout reports help later, but you do not need them to book. The team will tell you exactly what it needs after the call.

Sometimes. Gifted products can count as taxable income when a brand expects something in return, such as a post or a review. Items sent with no obligation may be treated differently. The answer depends on the facts of each arrangement. AFE looks at what you agreed with the brand and how you used the item, then decides how it is reported.

Usually, yes, if you are UK resident. UK residents are normally taxed on their worldwide income, including payments from overseas brands and platforms. Foreign tax may also have been taken, and relief can sometimes reduce double taxation. Residence itself depends on your circumstances. AFE reviews where you live and work, and where the income comes from, before working out what to report.

Yes. Many creators earn from several platforms, affiliate schemes and brand deals at once. AFE gathers your statements, matches payments to the right period and sorts each one by type. You then get one clear set of figures for your tax return or company accounts. Each total comes with a note of what it includes and where it came from.

Keep your contracts, invoices, platform statements and bank records for every deal. Note any products you received and what you agreed to do in return. Keep receipts for equipment, software and other costs linked to your content. HMRC expects records to be kept for a set period [VERIFY WITH HMRC / ADAM]. AFE can tell you what to keep and set up a simple system.

Usually, yes. Sole trader creators normally register for Self Assessment once income passes a set level [VERIFY WITH HMRC / ADAM]. This covers brand deals, ads and affiliate income. If you run a limited company, the company files its own accounts and tax return. AFE checks your position and registers you with HMRC if you need to.

Payments on account are advance payments towards your next tax bill. HMRC asks for them when your last bill was above a set amount [VERIFY WITH HMRC / ADAM]. They can come as a surprise in a creator’s second year of good income. AFE explains whether they apply to you and can review whether a reduction claim is appropriate if your income has fallen.

Yes. AFE prepares year-end accounts and the Corporation Tax return for creator limited companies. The team can also prepare your personal tax return as a director, covering salary and dividends. Having both done together means the figures agree and you see the full picture of what you and your company owe.

You can usually claim costs incurred wholly for your content business. These may include cameras, lighting, editing software, props and some travel. Costs with a personal element, such as clothing or your phone, need more care. Whether a cost is allowable depends on the facts, so AFE reviews your receipts and explains which claims are supportable.

Not always. The answer depends on your income and plans. A limited company can be more tax efficient once profits reach a certain level [VERIFY WITH HMRC / ADAM]. It also brings extra admin, filing duties and accountancy costs. Some creators are better off staying sole traders for now. AFE compares both options using your real figures before you make any change.

You must register once your VAT taxable turnover passes the registration threshold, or is expected to [VERIFY WITH HMRC / ADAM]. Some creators register voluntarily before that point. Income from overseas brands may be treated differently for VAT. AFE checks your turnover, where your clients are based and whether registering early would help you.

Often not, but it depends on the service and the customer. Many services supplied to overseas businesses fall outside UK VAT under the place of supply rules [VERIFY WITH HMRC / ADAM]. Supplies to private individuals abroad can follow different rules. AFE reviews your contracts and customers to confirm how each type of income should be treated.

Yes. Many creators start as sole traders and move to a company once their income grows. The switch involves forming the company, registering it with HMRC and moving contracts and bank accounts across. There can also be tax points to consider on the change. AFE plans the timing with you and handles the paperwork.

Not always, but it often helps. Creators can receive dozens of small payments from platforms, affiliates and brands each month. Keeping these in order takes time and mistakes can be costly at year end. AFE’s bookkeeping keeps your records current, so your tax return is quicker and you know where you stand during the year.

AFE works with cloud bookkeeping software [CONFIRM: Xero / QuickBooks]. The team can set it up for you, connect your bank feeds and create categories that suit a creator business. If you already use a system, AFE will review it and suggest whether to keep it. You keep access to your own records throughout.

Yes. Because your books are kept up to date, AFE can estimate your likely tax bill before it falls due. Regular check-ins let you set money aside and avoid surprises [CONFIRM: frequency of check-ins]. The team can also flag when your income is nearing a level where structure or VAT should be reviewed.

Adam Feyzi FCCA leads crypto and blockchain work personally. Adam is the founder and director of AFE Accountants and a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. He reviews how your activity should be treated and the figures that go to HMRC. You can read more about his background on his profile page before you book a consultation.

Yes. Even if you have only bought and held, it is worth keeping good records from the start. Rewards, airdrops or swaps between tokens may still need to be looked at, depending on what happened. AFE can review your history and explain whether anything needs reporting, so you know where you stand before you sell.

Yes. AFE Accountants is UK-wide and remote-first, so crypto clients can work with the team by phone, video call and email from anywhere in the UK. Exchange exports and wallet records can be shared online. Clients who prefer to meet in person can also be seen in North London.

Fees are agreed before work starts, so you know the cost in advance. The current fees model is [FEES MODEL: confirm with Adam]. Crypto work varies a lot, because the number of transactions, wallets and exchanges affects the time involved. The first consultation is free, and the team explains the fee once it understands your history.

Often, yes. HMRC treats most disposals of cryptoassets, such as selling, swapping or spending them, as events that can create a taxable gain. Some receipts, such as staking rewards or crypto paid for work, may be taxed as income instead. How your activity is taxed depends on the facts, so AFE reviews your transactions before reporting anything.

Usually, yes. Exchanging one cryptoasset for another is normally treated as a disposal, even if you never convert to pounds. You may have a gain or loss to report based on the sterling value at the time. AFE works through your swaps using your exchange and wallet records and calculates the gain or loss on each.

Act sooner rather than later. HMRC has a process for telling it about unreported gains or income from past years [VERIFY WITH HMRC / ADAM]. Coming forward yourself is usually viewed more favourably than waiting to be contacted. AFE can review the years involved and explain the options before anything is sent [CONFIRM: disclosure work offered].

Yes. Large transaction histories are common, especially for active traders and DeFi users. AFE uses crypto tax software to import exchange and wallet data and match transactions [CONFIRM: which software AFE uses]. The team then checks the results for gaps, transfers between your own wallets and items that need a closer look before reporting.

Yes. AFE prepares year-end accounts and Corporation Tax returns for companies that hold cryptoassets or receive them as payment. The team records each transaction in sterling, keeps track of holdings and works out any gains or losses. How a company’s crypto is taxed depends on the facts, so AFE reviews your activity before filing.

Usually as employment income. Tokens given to staff for their work are often treated like pay, and PAYE and National Insurance may apply [VERIFY WITH HMRC / ADAM]. The exact treatment depends on the token and the arrangement. AFE reviews your scheme and sets up payroll so that token pay is reported correctly to HMRC.

It may. A blockchain business must register once its VAT taxable turnover passes the registration threshold [VERIFY WITH HMRC / ADAM]. Some crypto activity is exempt or outside the scope of VAT, while related services may not be. AFE reviews what your business supplies and to whom, then advises on registration and returns.

No. AFE works with online coaches, personal trainers, studio owners and fitness creators. Many clients mix online coaching with in-person sessions, classes or brand work, and the team records each income stream separately. If most of your income comes from social media, the creators service may suit you as well.

Yes. Starting out is a good time to get your records and registration right. AFE can explain how to register with HMRC, what records to keep and whether a sole trader or company structure makes sense for you. The first consultation is free, so you can ask questions before you commit to anything.

Yes. AFE Accountants is UK-wide and remote-first, so coaches and trainers anywhere in the UK can work with the team by phone, video call and email. Payout reports and receipts can be shared online. Clients who prefer to meet in person can also be seen in North London.

No. AFE Accountants is remote-first, so most clients work with the team by phone, video call and email from anywhere in the UK. Records and documents can be shared online. If you prefer to meet in person, clients can also be seen in North London at a time agreed with the team.

Yes. AFE works with sole traders and limited companies. Sole traders usually need a Self Assessment return, while companies have accounts, Corporation Tax and company filings. If you are thinking of moving from one structure to the other, the team can compare both using your own figures before you decide.

Fees are agreed before any work starts, so you know the cost in advance. The current fees model is [FEES MODEL: confirm with Adam]. The amount depends on the services you need, the size of your business and the state of your records. The first consultation is free, and the team explains the fee before you commit.

AFE Accountants is led by Adam Feyzi FCCA, founder and director, with Tony Riezzo as tax director. The day-to-day contact for each client is [CONFIRM: named accountant arrangement for each client]. You can read about Adam and Tony on their profile pages before you book a consultation with the team.

No, but most owners use one. Every limited company must file annual accounts with Companies House and a Corporation Tax return with HMRC. Getting either wrong can lead to penalties. AFE prepares both, checks the figures against your records and explains the results before anything is filed, so you can sign with confidence.

Yes. AFE can work through bank statements, receipts and invoices to bring your records up to date. The team will tell you what is missing and agree a timetable before starting. Once you are current, you can choose ongoing bookkeeping so the records stay in order and your year-end accounts are quicker to prepare.

AFE works with cloud bookkeeping software [CONFIRM: Xero / QuickBooks]. If you already use a package, the team will review your set-up and suggest improvements. If you are starting from spreadsheets, AFE can help you choose software and set it up. The team then shows you the parts you need day to day.

Management accounts are for you, while year-end accounts are for Companies House and HMRC. Year-end accounts follow set formats and look back over the whole year. Management accounts are prepared more often, in a format that suits your business, so you can see how it is doing and act early. AFE can prepare both from the same records.

Monthly or quarterly suits most businesses. Monthly reports help businesses with tight cash flow or fast growth spot problems sooner. Quarterly reports suit steadier businesses that want a regular check without extra cost. AFE recommends a frequency based on your business and the decisions you face [CONFIRM: frequencies offered].

Yes. Management accounts are only as reliable as the records behind them. If your books are up to date, AFE can work from them directly. If not, the team can bring them up to date first or take on your bookkeeping. Each report is then built on accurate, current figures.

Yes. AFE prepares Corporation Tax returns for limited companies and Self Assessment returns for their directors. Handling both together means your salary, dividends and company profits are planned as one picture. It also means the figures on each return agree, which reduces the chance of questions from HMRC later.

Making Tax Digital is HMRC’s programme for keeping digital records and filing through compatible software. It already applies to VAT-registered businesses, and is being extended to some sole traders and landlords [VERIFY WITH HMRC / ADAM]. AFE can check whether it applies to you, help you choose compatible software and file through it [VERIFY: scope].

Yes. AFE can review the enquiry letter, gather the records HMRC has asked for and reply on your behalf. The team explains what HMRC is looking at and what the likely outcomes are. Responding promptly and accurately matters, so contact AFE as soon as you receive a letter rather than waiting for the deadline.

Often, yes. Many directors pay themselves a salary through the company, which needs a PAYE scheme and reports to HMRC. Some directors take a low salary alongside dividends [VERIFY WITH HMRC / ADAM]. The right level depends on your circumstances. AFE sets up a director-only payroll and advises on salary as part of your wider tax planning.

Yes. AFE can take over from your current provider or software part way through the tax year. The team will need your PAYE reference, employee details and year-to-date figures. AFE checks the figures carry across correctly, so your employees’ pay and HMRC records stay accurate after the change.

You usually need to register as an employer with HMRC before the first payday. You also need to check the person’s right to work, collect their details and consider workplace pension duties [VERIFY WITH HMRC / ADAM]. AFE can register your PAYE scheme, set up payroll and explain the ongoing steps for each pay period.

Either can work, depending on your expected profits, risks and plans. A sole trader set-up is simpler and cheaper to run. A limited company separates your personal assets from the business and can be more tax efficient at higher profits [VERIFY WITH HMRC / ADAM]. AFE compares both using your own figures before you decide.

Yes. AFE can form your company with Companies House, then register it with HMRC for Corporation Tax and, where needed, PAYE and VAT. The team will ask about directors, shareholders and the registered office address. You will also get a list of the company’s first deadlines, so nothing is missed in the first year.

Yes. AFE Accountants is an ACCA member firm and is listed in the ACCA firm directory. Its founder and director, Adam Feyzi, is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants, shown by the letters FCCA. Chartered certified accountants are qualified to prepare accounts and tax returns and to advise on starting a business.

A confirmation statement is a yearly filing that confirms your company’s details at Companies House are correct. It covers directors, shareholders, people with significant control and the registered office. It must be filed at least once a year, even if nothing has changed [VERIFY WITH HMRC / ADAM]. AFE prepares it, checks the details with you and files it.

You need to tell Companies House about the appointment within a set period [VERIFY WITH HMRC / ADAM]. The new director’s details are filed and your company register is updated. The director also needs to have verified their identity with Companies House [VERIFY WITH HMRC / ADAM]. AFE can prepare the filing and update your records for you.

Not usually. Most private limited companies are no longer required to appoint a company secretary [VERIFY WITH HMRC / ADAM]. The duties still exist, though, and fall to the directors if no one is appointed. AFE can take on the routine filings and record keeping, so your company stays compliant without the directors handling it themselves.

Not exactly, because the price depends on your situation. AFE agrees fees as [FEES MODEL: confirm with Adam]. The team needs to know your business type, income streams, VAT position and the state of your records before it can quote fairly. The first consultation is free, and you get a clear price before any work starts.

Usually only if the work changes and you agree first [CONFIRM: scope change policy with Adam]. Your fee is set out in your engagement letter. If something new comes up, such as VAT registration, a payroll or a move to a limited company, AFE explains the extra work and its cost before doing it.

Yes. The first consultation costs nothing and there is no obligation to go ahead. You explain what you need, the team asks a few questions about your income and records, and AFE explains how it would help. If you decide to proceed, an engagement letter sets out the work and the fee before any paid work begins [CONFIRM: written quote process].