When you run a business, there’s nothing more frustrating than delivering a product or service, sending the invoice, and… the payment never arrives.
Unfortunately, the frustration doesn’t end there — you could also end up paying tax on money you’ve never actually received.
At Bidwell Accountancy, we see this all too often. The good news? With the right processes and advice, you can prevent it from happening to you.
How Can This Happen?
In the UK, most businesses prepare their accounts on an accruals basis — meaning income is recorded when it’s invoiced, not when it’s actually paid.
That means if a customer never settles their bill, the sale is still sitting in your accounts as income… and HMRC will expect you to pay tax on it.
The Solution: Claiming Bad Debt Relief
If a debt is genuinely irrecoverable, you may be able to claim Bad Debt Relief to reduce your taxable profit and reclaim any VAT you’ve already paid.
To qualify, the debt must:
Be more than 6 months old
Have been written off in your accounts
Have not been paid (in full or part)
Top Tip: Keep detailed records of your collection efforts — reminder letters, phone calls, and any communications — in case HMRC asks for evidence.
Prevention is Better than Cure
While Bad Debt Relief is useful, the best approach is to reduce the chances of unpaid invoices in the first place. We recommend:
Running credit checks on new customers
Using clear payment terms in contracts and invoices
Sending friendly but prompt reminders
Considering part-payment upfront for large orders
Even the best-run businesses will encounter the odd bad debtor — but strong credit control means fewer headaches and healthier cash flow.
Don’t Let the Taxman Take a Bite Out of Your Bad Debt
If you’re unsure whether you’re paying tax on money you’ll never see, we can help you review your accounts, check your eligibility for relief, and improve your debt management processes.
📞 Call Bidwell Accountancy on (01908) 380391
📧 Email us at info@bidwellaccountancy.com
Let’s make sure you’re not handing over extra tax on income that never made it into your bank account.
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