17/03/2026
Profit, cash, and why tax catches people out 💷
At D.M. Jewell Accountancy Ltd, one of the most frequent and financially significant misunderstandings we observe in limited companies is the assumption that "there’s money in the bank, so the tax must be covered." This misconception can lead to costly surprises if not addressed.
👉 Corporation Tax calculations do not consider how much money is sitting in your bank account. Instead, it focuses on the profit your business has earned during the period. Your bank balance might seem healthy, but it often includes funds that, while boosting your cash position, do not contribute to your taxable profit.
For example, your bank balance might include:
👉 VAT collected for HMRC, which is a liability rather than income. This money is owed to the government and should not be considered as part of your available funds for covering expenses or taxes.
👉 Customer payments received ahead of schedule can create a false sense of security. While these early payments improve your immediate cash flow, they are not necessarily reflective of your actual profit margins.
👉 Money already withdrawn by directors for personal use can skew the perception of available cash. These withdrawals reduce the cash on hand without impacting the profit calculations, as profit is based on income and expenses, not cash movements.
Further, profit is adjusted for a variety of accounting principles, including:
👉 Timing differences arise when income and expenses are recognized in different periods than the cash is received or paid. For instance, you might recognize revenue today but not receive the payment until a future date, affecting your taxable income.
👉 Accruals and prepayments ensure that revenues and expenses are recorded in the period they occur, not necessarily when cash changes hands. This principle can alter the profit figure used for tax calculations.
👉 Allowable and non-allowable costs refer to which business expenses can be deducted for tax purposes. Only certain types of expenses are tax-deductible, which means your taxable profit might be higher than your accounting profit.
🧠 Takeaway: It is essential to have a comprehensive understanding of the interplay between profit, tax provision, and cash flow. This holistic approach helps prevent unexpected tax liabilities and ensures you are adequately prepared for your tax obligations. By maintaining visibility over these financial aspects, business owners can avoid costly surprises and make informed decisions that align with their financial goals.
👉 For more insights and advice, visit https://lnkd.in/euQSTmHj