Domestic & pet services
MTD software for dog groomers.
More grooming time. Less untangling of records.
Packed appointment books, shampoo orders and equipment servicing generate lots of small payments. Avona helps salon, home and mobile groomers keep those records organised between clients.
- Who it is for
- Dog groomers working as sole traders, managing their own business records and MTD for Income Tax updates.
- Available now
- Digital records, bank feeds, statement imports, transaction categorisation and quarterly self-employment updates. Pro adds customer invoicing, VAT accounting and reporting.
- Monthly price
- From £15/month for Lite. Pro is £20/month.
- Free trial
- Full access for 7 days. No credit card required.
- Annual-return limitations
- Quarterly updates do not replace your annual tax return. HMRC lists annual-return items including PAYE income, interest, dividends and pensions as in development. Check the listing and confirm support for your income sources before relying on Avona for your annual return.
Making Tax Digital
It’s what comes in.
Before costs go out.
A steady run of appointments can produce sizeable annual takings before rent, water and consumables. The amount left after grooming costs is not the gross-income MTD test.
Understand Making Tax Digital →When does MTD apply?
Combined qualifying self-employment and property income, before expenses:
- Over £50,000 in 2024/25
- From 6 April 2026
- Over £30,000 in 2025/26
- From 6 April 2027
- Over £20,000 in 2026/27
- From 6 April 2028
Eligibility and exemptions matter. These are income thresholds, not tax-free allowances.
Check HMRC’s eligibility guidance ↗From the work to your records
Clear records for your grooming appointments.
Bring the evidence into Avona, review the suggested categories and check the figures before submitting. These three examples show the records behind your grooming appointments, shared purchases and card receipts from grooming appointments.
| What you bring | How you use Avona | What you check |
|---|---|---|
| £300 for your grooming appointments £65 spent on grooming products and blade servicing | Connect your bank or import the payment, then upload the invoice or receipt for grooming products and blade servicing. Review the income and the purchase as separate records. | Keep £300 as the sale and the £65 cost separately. The £235 left after this cost is not turnover. Check that the spending is eligible for your business. |
| £100 mixed purchase £80 for shampoo used on customers' dogs; £20 for products reserved for your own pet | Upload the itemised receipt and review the suggested category. Identify shampoo used on customers' dogs separately from products reserved for your own pet. | Only the eligible £80 business portion belongs in business costs. Exclude the £20 personal purchase, and check that importing both the bank transaction and the receipt has not counted the spending twice. |
| £285 net payout £300 of your sales; £15 processing or platform fees | Import the bank receipt and retain the breakdown for card receipts from grooming appointments. Review the original sales and the charge shown on the statement. | Where the £300 represents your sales under the agreement, keep it as income and record the £15 fee separately. Do not add the £285 payout as a second sale. Check any refunds or other adjustments too. |
Keep supporting documents alongside your figures, review business use and apply your accounting method consistently. HMRC: keeping business records ↗
The costs behind your work
Six expenses worth
keeping records for.
Examples for dog groomers. Claim only eligible business costs; mixed use, equipment and your accounting method can change the treatment.
Scissor sharpening
Grooming shampoos
Hydrobath servicing
Clipper blade replacements
Business salon utilities
Grooming equipment
One thing to watch
Keep personal pet costs outside the business
Supplies used on your own animals may need separating from client work. A shared order is not automatically all deductible, even when it comes from a grooming wholesaler.
HMRC: allowable business expenses ↗Fit the admin around the work
A routine around your grooming appointments.
Review appointment payments, record cash services and attach shampoo and maintenance receipts so the digital cashbook reflects the whole working day.
Capture the supporting documents
Upload receipts or invoices for grooming products and blade servicing. Keep the date, supplier and amount legible, and distinguish shampoo used on customers' dogs from products reserved for your own pet.
How document capture works →Reconcile your grooming appointments payments
Review each customer receipt against the work it covers. Keep the breakdown for card receipts from grooming appointments available alongside the bank entry, so fees, refunds or timing differences can be explained.
How bank review works →Review before you submit
Review Avona AI’s suggested categories, check that your grooming appointments income is complete, and remove duplicate or personal spending. Keep the evidence for card receipts from grooming appointments ready for your annual-return review too.
Before you get started
Questions from dog groomers.
Does MTD apply to everyone in this profession?
No. This page covers dog groomers working as sole traders. Your start date depends on combined qualifying self-employment and property income before expenses, and any exemptions. Employment and limited-company work have different reporting arrangements.
Are products for my own dog a business expense?
Personal pet care is separate from your grooming trade. Identify stock used on customer appointments and review shared supplies before including their business portion.
How do I record card receipts from grooming appointments?
Example: £285 net payout (£300 of your sales; £15 processing or platform fees). Where the £300 represents your sales under the agreement, keep it as income and record the £15 fee separately. Do not add the £285 payout as a second sale. Check any refunds or other adjustments too.
Which bookkeeping issue should I watch for?
Keep personal pet costs outside the business. Supplies used on your own animals may need separating from client work. A shared order is not automatically all deductible, even when it comes from a grooming wholesaler.
Can I keep using my existing spreadsheet?
Yes. Bring your grooming appointments income records and evidence of grooming products and blade servicing into Avona using supported spreadsheet uploads. Check dates, categories, personal spending and duplicates against the original documents before you approve the records.
Do quarterly updates complete my annual tax return?
No. You still need the annual tax return and any relevant adjustments or other income. HMRC currently lists annual-return items including PAYE income, interest, dividends and pensions as in development for Avona. Confirm support for your own income sources and circumstances before relying on Avona for the annual return.
Built for the way you earn
Keep your grooming records neat.
Choosing Avona
Your questions, answered.
Can I create customer invoices?
Yes. You can create customer invoices with Avona Pro.
What if I am VAT-registered?
Full VAT accounting is available with Avona Pro, so you can manage your VAT-registered business with Avona.
Can my accountant review my records?
Yes. You can connect your Avona account to your bookkeeper or accountant so they can review your records.
Can I use my phone on site?
Yes. Every feature has a mobile-friendly version, so you can manage your accounts from your phone while you are on the move.
Can I keep using my personal bank account?
Yes. Avona supports Open Banking connections and PDF bank statement uploads. You can clearly separate personal and business transactions to keep your business records organised.