Accountants in Littlehampton

If you let rooms near the river, run a seafront kiosk or work on a farm or nursery around Littlehampton, this page sets out the local points that matter. Accountant in Sussex explains tax in plain English and is not an accountancy firm, but you can send an enquiry and we will try to connect you with an accountant nearby, with no guarantee that one will be free.

Letting rooms by the river

Littlehampton landlords have a specific rule to check. Arun District Council's additional HMO licensing scheme covers River Ward in Littlehampton, together with two wards in Bognor Regis. It has been in force since 1 February 2025 and is due to end on 31 January 2030 unless the council revokes it sooner. Under it, a property let to "three or more persons comprising two or more households" needs a licence, which reaches smaller shared houses than mandatory HMO licensing does. Read the designation on Arun's website if your property is in or near River Ward.

From a tax point of view, a licence fee is one more cost to keep a receipt for.

Littlehampton's working economy

Littlehampton shares Arun district with Bognor Regis and Arundel. The West Sussex Economic Strategy evidence report lists 6,150 active businesses in Arun in 2022 (ONS Business Demography). Its most distinctive figure for the district is a location quotient of 2.1 for agriculture, mining, utilities and waste, more than double the England share, which points to farms and growers in the countryside around the town. Self-employed growers and contractors usually have a Self Assessment return to file, and some will have VAT to think about once turnover goes over the £90,000 threshold in a rolling 12 months.

The seafront and harbour bring a visitor trade too, and Arun's accommodation and food service share is above average at 1.5. The Arun Growth Deal 2025-30 notes a £19.4 million Levelling Up Fund award for seafront improvements in Littlehampton and Bognor Regis.

New companies are still being formed. The West Sussex Economy Snapshot for July 2026 recorded 206 incorporations in Arun between May and July 2026, against 211 companies dissolved or liquidated, so the picture is roughly balanced. A new company brings Companies House accounts, a confirmation statement and director identity checks.

Rates, relief and who else can help

Business rates are billed by Arun District Council rather than Littlehampton Town Council. The council's rates discounts and exemptions page sets out small business rate relief and the 2026/27 changes, including the new pubs and live music venues relief, so look there for the latest amounts.

The Arun Business Partnership covers Littlehampton as well as Bognor Regis and Arundel. The county council runs the West Sussex Growth Hub, and the Sussex Chamber of Commerce covers the whole of Sussex.

Picking a bookkeeper or accountant

The word accountant carries no legal protection in the UK, so it says nothing on its own about training. Only members of the chartered institutes may use "chartered accountant", under the institutes' Royal Charters, so if that matters to you, ask which body they belong to.

It is also fair to ask who supervises them under the money laundering rules. Money laundering supervision comes either from a professional body or from HMRC, and GOV.UK is clear that an accountancy business trading without registration commits a criminal offence. Get the price and a description of the work in writing, particularly if you have a mix of farm, rental and company income. If Making Tax Digital applies to you, ask which compatible software they work with, because quarterly updates go straight from that software to HMRC.

Work Littlehampton people often need help with

Landlord accounts for River Ward properties let to sharers.
Self assessment tax returns for growers, contractors and seasonal staff.
Limited company accounts and confirmation statements for new companies.
VAT registration checks for growing businesses.

The cost guide gives typical price ranges, and the how it works page covers what we do with an enquiry.

Accountancy services in Littlehampton

Read how each service works, the rules that apply and what to ask, then tell us what you need and, where we can, we will put you in touch with an accountant in or near Littlehampton.

Common questions

Is all of Littlehampton covered by additional HMO licensing?

No. In Littlehampton the Arun scheme covers River Ward only. The other wards in the designation are Hotham and Marine in Bognor Regis, so check your ward on the council's designation page.

When does a Littlehampton grower need to register for VAT?

Registration becomes compulsory when taxable turnover over the previous 12 months passes £90,000, or when you expect it to pass £90,000 within the next 30 days. On the 12-month test you have 30 days after the end of the month in which you went over to register.

When do I have to start Making Tax Digital as a landlord?

It depends on your gross self-employment and property income. It has applied from 6 April 2026 above £50,000, applies from 6 April 2027 above £30,000, and from 6 April 2028 above £20,000.

Sources for the figures on this page

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