Accountants in Seaford

In its Strategy Programme 2025 to 2027, Seaford Town Council calls Seaford the largest town in Lewes District, with Brighton around 12 miles to the west and Eastbourne around nine miles to the east, and two railway stations at Seaford and Bishopstone.

It is also a town where many people have retired. The Lewes District Local Plan, adopted in 2016, noted that about one third of Seaford parish residents were aged 65 or over, against 17.6% nationally, and that many local jobs were in health and education. Those are older figures, but they help explain why pension income, savings interest, letting a former home and selling property come up so often here.

Savings interest is often the first surprise. GOV.UK sets the Personal Savings Allowance at £1,000 for basic rate taxpayers, £500 for higher rate taxpayers and nothing for additional rate taxpayers. If your other taxable income is below £17,570 the starting rate for savings can let you earn up to £5,000 of interest without paying tax on it.

Letting out a former home brings the property allowance into play, which covers up to £1,000 of rent a year. Above that, GOV.UK asks you to register for Self Assessment once gross rents pass £2,500 and to contact HMRC if they fall between £1,000 and £2,500. Selling a second home or rental property can bring Capital Gains Tax, at 18% or 24% for individuals from 6 April 2026, with an annual exempt amount of £3,000 for individuals. Any UK residential gain must be reported and paid within 60 days of completion.

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax applies to landlords and the self-employed with gross income over £50,000 from April 2026, over £30,000 from April 2027 and over £20,000 from April 2028. HMRC accepts applications for a digital exclusion exemption where, for example, your age, health condition or disability stops you using a computer, tablet or smartphone. Each case is looked at individually, and unfamiliarity with software on its own is not enough.

Seaford has three tiers of local government: Seaford Town Council, Lewes District Council and East Sussex County Council. Business rates are handled by Lewes District Council through the business rate relief page it shares with Eastbourne Borough Council, a separate council that uses the same website.

For landlords, the district's houses in multiple occupancy page describes mandatory HMO licensing only, and we found no additional or selective scheme. Seaford Town Council lists the Seaford Chamber of Commerce among the groups it works with on its partnership working page, and the Business East Sussex Growth Hub offers advice to businesses across the county.

The word "accountant" is not a protected title, so anyone can use it. The phrase "chartered accountant" is another matter: the institutes' Royal Charters and rules keep it for their members.

For money laundering purposes, an accountant has to be overseen by a professional body or, failing that, registered with HMRC, and GOV.UK treats trading while not registered as a criminal offence. Ask who supervises them, and ask for a written note of the fee and what it covers. If you are within Making Tax Digital, or think you qualify for an exemption, ask how they would handle it.

• Self assessment tax returns for pension, savings and rental income.
• Capital Gains Tax on selling a second home or buy-to-let.
• Simple accounts for small home-based or part-time businesses.

If you are wondering about price, the cost guide covers what fees depend on, and how it works follows an enquiry from Seaford through to us.