Who this is for
- Branding and identity studios
- Graphic design and layout agencies
- UX/UI and product design studios
- Creative campaign and concept shops
- Freelancer collectives operating through a limited company
Typical income and billing models
- Fixed-fee branding projects (naming, identity, guidelines)
- Retainers for ongoing design support and creative assets
- Day-rate or sprint-based UX/UI engagements
- Licensing fees for artwork, templates and design systems
Common allowable expenses
- Design software – Adobe Creative Cloud, Figma, Sketch, etc.
- Hardware – Macs/PCs, tablets, pens, monitors and calibration tools
- Fonts, stock imagery, icons and template libraries
- Freelancers – illustrators, motion designers, photographers
- Printing and proofing costs for mock-ups and presentations
- Books, courses and conferences directly related to design work
- Office / studio costs, co-working spaces and utilities
- Business insurances and professional memberships
- Travel to client workshops, research sessions and shoots
We also help you handle IP-heavy projects – where you retain rights and license work – so that income is recognised in a sensible way.
What we need from you
- Business bank statements and card/finance accounts
- Project list with key fees and stages (even a simple spreadsheet)
- Sales invoices and credit notes
- Purchase invoices for software, kit, stock assets and freelancers
- Payroll reports if you employ designers or studio staff
- Details of any royalties or licensing income
We then reconcile everything, calculate profit and corporation tax, and file your accounts and CT600 with HMRC and Companies House.