Trust Ledger Accounting LtdAccountant for software developers
Accounts and tax for developers with a limited company, from £79 + VAT a month
Trust Ledger Accounting works with software developers, engineers and IT contractors who run their own limited company. For a fixed monthly fee from £79 + VAT, you get FreeAgent, your annual accounts, Corporation Tax return and Self Assessment, and a MAAT-qualified accountant who answers questions within 1 working day.
Our own technology partner is a software development company, so we are used to how developers work: remote, online, and with no patience for paperwork that could be automated.
| Monthly fee | Starter £79, Standard £119 with VAT returns and payroll, Complete £150, each + VAT |
|---|---|
| Included in every package | FreeAgent, annual accounts, CT600 and one director's Self Assessment |
| How we work | Entirely online, by email, phone and WhatsApp. No meetings needed. |
| Contract | Monthly rolling, 30 days' notice, no set-up fee |
What developers usually ask us
- What can I claim? Laptops, monitors and other equipment, software licences, cloud hosting, domains, training courses, and a share of home working costs
- How should I pay myself? How to split what you take between salary and dividends, and when pension contributions from the company make sense
- Do I need to register for VAT? When you must, when it pays to register early, and how VAT works when your client is overseas
- Am I inside or outside IR35? What each outcome means for your tax and take-home pay
- How much tax should I set aside? A running estimate in FreeAgent, so the bill is never a surprise
Contract work, product income, or both
Developers often have more than one kind of income. We keep the books straight whichever applies:
- Day-rate contracts through an agency or direct with a client
- Fixed-price projects for several clients
- Product income from subscriptions, apps or licences, paid through services such as Stripe
Figures worth knowing
| Item | Current figure |
|---|---|
| Corporation Tax | 19% on profits of £50,000 or less, 25% above £250,000, marginal relief in between |
| Dividend allowance | £500 a year |
| Dividend tax rates, 2026 to 2027 | 10.75% basic rate, 35.75% higher rate, 39.35% additional rate |
| VAT registration threshold | Taxable turnover over £90,000 in 12 months |
Sources: GOV.UK pages on Corporation Tax rates and tax on dividends.
What is included
- A full FreeAgent subscription, with bank feeds, invoicing and receipt capture from your phone
- Year-end company accounts and Corporation Tax return, filed for you
- Your own Self Assessment return
- Quarterly VAT returns and payroll on the Standard and Complete packages
What we do not do
We do not prepare R&D tax relief claims or carry out formal IR35 contract reviews. Both are specialist work, and we can point you to someone who does them. Everything else your company needs to stay compliant is covered.
See the pricing page for full details, or our wider page for contractors and freelancers.
Figures checked against GOV.UK and last updated on .
Enquire about accounting for developers
Common questions
How much does an accountant cost for a software developer?
Our packages for developers with a limited company start at £79 + VAT a month, including FreeAgent, annual accounts, the Corporation Tax return and one director's Self Assessment. With VAT returns and payroll it is £119 + VAT a month.
Can I claim my laptop and software through my company?
Usually, yes. Equipment and software bought for the business are normally allowable, and we check each purchase is treated correctly in your accounts.
Do you work with developers outside Manchester?
Yes. We are based in Salford, Greater Manchester, and work with developers across the UK entirely online.
Do you handle R&D tax relief claims?
No. R&D claims are specialist work that we do not take on, but we can point you to a specialist and make sure your accounts support the claim.
I am leaving a permanent job to contract. Can you help me set up?
Yes. We guide new contractors through what a limited company has to file, set up FreeAgent, and explain how to pay yourself from day one.