CT600 for Restaurants and Cafes

Running a restaurant or cafe through a limited company involves unique tax considerations. From kitchen equipment to food waste, this guide covers everything hospitality businesses need to know about CT600 filing.

Revenue Streams for Hospitality Businesses

Most restaurants have several income sources to report in Box 145:

Primary revenue:

  • Dine-in food and beverage sales
  • Takeaway and delivery orders
  • Catering services
  • Private event hire
Additional income:
  • Retail product sales (sauces, merchandise)
  • Loyalty programme fees
  • Gift card breakage (unused balances)
  • Venue hire fees
All revenue must be declared regardless of VAT treatment. Remember that reduced VAT rates have applied to certain hospitality services in recent years.

Capital Allowances for Restaurant Equipment

Kitchen and front-of-house equipment qualifies for Annual Investment Allowance (AIA), giving 100% first-year relief:

Kitchen equipment:

  • Ovens, ranges, and grills
  • Refrigeration units
  • Dishwashers
  • Food preparation equipment
  • Ventilation and extraction systems
Front-of-house:
  • EPOS systems and tills
  • Coffee machines
  • Display cabinets
  • Furniture and fixtures
> Tip: Leasehold improvements may qualify for fixtures allowances. Keep records of expenditure on fitted kitchens and customer areas.

Common Deductible Expenses

Restaurants can claim these operational costs against Box 145 turnover:

Food and beverage costs:

  • Ingredients and supplies
  • Packaging for takeaway
  • Wine and beverage stock
Staff costs:
  • Wages and salaries
  • Staff meals (with some limitations)
  • Training and food hygiene certifications
  • Agency and temporary staff
Premises costs:
  • Rent and business rates
  • Utilities (often significant for restaurants)
  • Waste disposal and grease trap cleaning
  • Pest control
  • Equipment maintenance
Marketing:
  • Menu design and printing
  • Delivery platform commissions (Deliveroo, Just Eat, Uber Eats)
  • Photography and social media

VAT Considerations

While VAT isn't directly part of the CT600, it affects your profit calculation:

  • Standard 20% VAT applies to most restaurant sales
  • Takeaway hot food is standard-rated
  • Some cold takeaway food is zero-rated
  • Temporary reduced rates (5% and 12.5%) applied 2020-2022
Ensure your accounts properly separate VAT from turnover figures before completing Box 145.

Stock and Food Waste

Restaurant stock requires careful treatment:

Stock valuation:

  • Value closing stock at lower of cost or net realisable value
  • Perishable items may have reduced value
  • Account for portion control and recipe costings
Food waste:
  • Write off spoiled stock as a cost of sales
  • Document significant waste for records
  • Food donation schemes may offer corporation tax benefits

Seasonal Businesses

Many hospitality venues have seasonal trading patterns:

  • Summer pop-ups or winter closures
  • Reduced hours in quiet periods
  • Event-driven revenue spikes
Ensure your accounting period captures complete trading cycles for accurate profit measurement.

Multi-Site Operations

Restaurant groups with multiple locations:

  • Each site is part of the same company's CT600
  • Consider whether separate companies for each site makes sense
  • Intercompany transactions (central kitchen, shared services) need proper documentation

Directors and Family Members

Family-run restaurants are common:

  • Ensure family member salaries are commercially reasonable
  • Directors' loans for refurbishment need proper documentation
  • Pension contributions can be tax-efficient for family directors

Loss-Making Periods

Restaurants often face losses during:

  • Start-up phase and initial fit-out
  • Refurbishment closures
  • Economic downturns
Losses can be carried forward against future profits or, in some cases, carried back to previous years.

Filing Your CT600

TinyTax helps restaurant owners file their CT600 with:

  • Clear guidance on hospitality-specific boxes
  • Automatic calculation of capital allowances
  • Integration with accounting software like Xero and QuickBooks
  • iXBRL accounts generation for Companies House
Start your CT600 filing today and get your restaurant's tax return submitted in minutes.

Key Takeaways

  • Kitchen equipment qualifies for 100% AIA relief
  • Delivery platform fees are deductible expenses
  • Stock valuation affects your profit calculation
  • Seasonal patterns don't change filing requirements
  • Family salaries must be commercially reasonable