Accountants in Chichester

There were 6,900 active businesses in the Chichester district in 2022, based on ONS Business Demography data quoted by West Sussex County Council in its economic strategy evidence report. The same report puts employment in agriculture, mining, utilities and waste at 2.5 times the England share, the highest figure for that sector in West Sussex, alongside arts, entertainment and recreation at 1.8 and both manufacturing and accommodation and food service at 1.3.

Self-employment is a defining feature. Mid Sussex District Council's district profile, using ONS Annual Population Survey data for October 2022 to September 2023, gives Chichester a self-employment rate of 13.2%, higher than any other district in the county. Chichester District Council's 2024 regeneration strategy adds that the city receives approximately 9 million visitors a year and that the University of Chichester attracts over 5,000 students, so hospitality owners, tour providers, tutors and student landlords are all likely to need help with tax.

Whether a cottage near the harbour or the South Downs counts as a holiday let or a second home decides whether it pays council tax or business rates. National rules in England, as set out by Mid Sussex District Council, mean a self-catering property is only rated for business rates if it was available to let commercially for 140 nights within a 12-month period, was actually let for 70 nights in the same period, and you intend to make it available for at least 140 nights in the following 12 months.

If the property does not meet those tests, it can be moved into council tax instead. Chichester District Council says a 100% premium is added to the council tax for second and holiday homes from 1 April 2025, so keep records of the nights a property is available and actually let. For income tax, the separate furnished holiday lettings tax regime was abolished from April 2025, so holiday let profits are now taxed in the same way as other rental income.

Chichester District Council publishes its relief rules on its discounts for business rates page, which explains small business rate relief, including full relief for a rateable value up to £12,000. Parts of it still quote 2024 to 2025 multipliers, so check the current position.

For landlords, the council's HMO page requires a licence for HMOs occupied by five or more people who are not living together as a single household. No additional or selective licensing scheme covering Chichester turned up in our checks.

Free business support comes from the West Sussex Growth Hub, the county council's service launched in 2024, and from the Sussex Chamber of Commerce.

A farm partnership may be handing over years of records, so ask which body supervises the accountant for anti-money laundering, because anyone offering accountancy or tax services must be supervised by HMRC or a professional body, and trading while unregistered is a criminal offence.

Bear in mind that the title accountant is not protected by UK law, so anyone can use it. Chartered accountant is protected, with the institutes limiting it to their own members through their Royal Charters and rules.

Ask for a written quote that sets out the scope of the work, for example whether it covers a partnership return as well as each partner's own return. If your gross income from self-employment and property is over £50,000, or will be over £30,000 from April 2027, check that they use Making Tax Digital software.

• Self assessment tax returns for self-employed people, tutors and landlords.
• Farm and horticultural business accounts, often run as partnerships.
• Holiday let income and expenses, and working out whether a property passes the business rates tests.
• Capital gains tax on selling a second home or rental property, which must be reported and paid within 60 days of completion.

The cost guide explains what tends to affect the price.