Introduction – The Meeting Most Business Owners Don’t Know They Need
At Accounting Matters, we often meet sole traders who are surprised when we ask:
“Have you had your Month-9 tax planning meeting yet?”
Most respond with confusion.
They’ve had:
- year-end meetings
- January panic calls
- last-minute tax calculations
But very few have ever had a proper Month-9 tax meeting — even though it’s one of the most powerful opportunities a business owner has to take control of their tax position.
If you’re a sole trader thinking about going limited — or even just wondering whether it’s the right move — this meeting can be the difference between:
- reacting to a tax bill
and
- actively shaping your financial future
In this blog, we explain what a Month-9 meeting is, why it matters so much, and why it’s especially critical if you’re considering the move from sole trader to limited company.
What Is a Month-9 Tax Planning Meeting?
A Month-9 tax meeting takes place nine months into your accounting year.
At this point:
- most of the year’s trading has already happened
- your income and expenses are clear
- trends have emerged
- decisions can still be made before the year closes
This timing is crucial.
It’s late enough to be accurate — but early enough to change the outcome.
At Accounting Matters, our Month-9 meetings focus on:
- year-to-date performance
- realistic profit forecasts
- tax exposure
- cashflow
- business structure
- forward planning
It’s not about looking back.
It’s about taking action while there’s still time.
Why Month-9 Matters More Than Year-End
Many sole traders only speak to their accountant after the year has ended.
By then:
- the numbers are fixed
- the tax bill is unavoidable
- planning opportunities are gone
At that stage, your accountant can only tell you what you owe — not what you could have done differently.
A Month-9 meeting changes that entirely.
It gives you:
- visibility
- choice
- control
And for sole traders considering incorporation, it provides clarity at exactly the right moment.
Why Month-9 Is Critical If You’re Thinking About Going Limited
If you’re even considering moving from sole trader to limited company, Month-9 is the ideal time to explore it.
Here’s why.
1. We can assess whether incorporation would actually save you tax
Going limited is often discussed as a tax decision — but timing is everything.
At Month-9, we can:
- project your full-year profit
- model sole trader vs limited company tax
- identify whether higher-rate tax is looming
- assess National Insurance exposure
- consider future growth
This avoids:
- going limited too early
- going limited too late
- missing an opportunity to plan the switch cleanly
2. We can plan the right time to incorporate
One of the biggest mistakes we see is incorporating at the wrong point in the year.
Without planning, business owners can:
- split accounting periods unnecessarily
- complicate tax returns
- create confusion over income
- miss clean start opportunities
At Month-9, we can:
- identify the optimal incorporation date
- plan a clean handover
- avoid duplicated admin
- align incorporation with tax efficiency
This makes the transition smoother, simpler, and less stressful.
3. We can still influence your current year’s tax bill
Month-9 is late — but not too late.
There is often still scope to:
- adjust spending
- review capital purchases
- consider pension contributions
- plan income timing
- review expenses
- manage cash withdrawals
Once the year closes, those doors shut.
This is why we say:
Month-9 is the last real chance to take control before the tax bill becomes fixed.
Why Sole Traders Miss This Opportunity
Most sole traders miss Month-9 planning because:
- their accountant doesn’t raise it
- they don’t realise it exists
- they only hear from their accountant once a year
- the focus is compliance, not strategy
This isn’t because they’re doing anything wrong.
It’s because many accountants are set up to:
- process numbers
- submit returns
- meet deadlines
Not to:
- plan ahead
- advise proactively
- discuss structure changes
- help clients grow
At Accounting Matters, we believe this conversation is too important to miss.
What We Cover in a Month-9 Tax Planning Meeting
Our Month-9 meetings are structured, practical, and client-focused.
We typically cover:
✔ Your year-to-date performance
- income
- expenses
- profit trends
- comparison to last year
✔ A full-year forecast
- projected profit
- projected tax bill
- cashflow outlook
✔ Your current structure
- sole trader viability
- future risks
- MTDITSA considerations
- compliance pressures
✔ Whether going limited makes sense
- tax comparison
- timing
- admin implications
- future planning
✔ Actions you can still take
- tax mitigation strategies
- cashflow planning
- preparation for incorporation
- system improvements
You leave the meeting knowing:
- where you stand
- what’s coming
- what choices you have
- what to do next
Why Month-9 Is Especially Important With MTDITSA Approaching
With MTDITSA on the horizon, sole traders will face:
- quarterly digital submissions
- increased admin
- greater reliance on software
- more scrutiny
Month-9 meetings allow us to:
- assess how MTDITSA will affect you
- determine whether incorporation reduces future burden
- ensure systems are ready
- avoid rushed decisions later
For many clients, Month-9 becomes the point where:
“Staying as a sole trader no longer feels like the simplest option.”
Why This Meeting Changes the Way Clients Feel About Tax
Clients often tell us that before their first Month-9 meeting, tax felt like:
- something that happened to them
- a bill they dreaded
- a source of stress
Afterwards, they say it feels like:
- something they understand
- something they can plan for
- something they control
That shift in mindset is powerful.
It turns tax from a threat into a planning tool.
Why Most Accountants Don’t Offer Month-9 Meetings
The honest answer?
Because they take time, preparation, and proactive thinking.
It’s easier to:
- finalise accounts after year-end
- issue a tax calculation
- send an invoice
But that approach doesn’t help business owners grow or plan.
At Accounting Matters, we believe:
If a conversation could save a client money, stress, or regret — it’s a conversation worth having.
That’s why Month-9 tax planning is built into our service for growing businesses and sole traders considering going limited.
What Happens If You Don’t Have a Month-9 Meeting
Without this meeting, we often see:
- surprise tax bills
- rushed incorporation decisions
- missed tax opportunities
- unnecessary admin
- poor timing
- avoidable stress
By the time problems surface, it’s often too late to change the outcome.
Why Accounting Matters Does Month-9 Differently
Our Month-9 meetings are:
- scheduled in advance
- based on up-to-date bookkeeping
- focused on planning, not blame
- explained in plain English
- tailored to your goals
We don’t just tell you numbers.
We tell you:
- what they mean
- what they allow
- what they restrict
- what decisions they support
Especially if you’re thinking about going limited.
Conclusion – This Meeting Could Change Your Business
If you’re a sole trader and:
- your profits are growing
- your tax bills are rising
- you’re thinking about going limited
- MTDITSA is worrying you
- you want clarity, not surprises
…then a Month-9 tax planning meeting may be the most important conversation you ever have.
It’s not about paperwork.
It’s about control.
At Accounting Matters, we believe no business owner should reach year-end without understanding their position — or their options.
If you’re approaching Month-9 and haven’t had this conversation yet, now is the time.
📞 01773 747990
📧 welcome@accountingmatters.co.uk
🌐 www.accountingmatters.co.uk
Accounting Matters — because planning ahead always matters more than reacting later.