Creative & digital
MTD software for dressmakers, tailors and alterations specialists.
Make the perfect fit. Cut down the paperwork.
From trouser hems to bespoke occasion wear, sewing work brings many small transactions and fabric purchases. Avona helps dressmakers, tailors and alterations specialists keep a clear record of each week’s business.
- Who it is for
- Dressmakers, tailors and alterations specialists 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.
Alteration fees, bespoke commissions and fabric sold within a finished garment all contribute to business income. Record the whole sale before setting off the materials used.
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 bespoke dress commission.
Bring the evidence into Avona, review the suggested categories and check the figures before submitting. These three examples show the records behind your bespoke dress commission, shared purchases and a bespoke garment booking.
| What you bring | How you use Avona | What you check |
|---|---|---|
| £520 for your bespoke dress commission £175 spent on fabric, lining and fastenings | Connect your bank or import the payment, then upload the invoice or receipt for fabric, lining and fastenings. Review the income and the purchase as separate records. | Keep £520 as the sale and the £175 cost separately. The £345 left after this cost is not turnover. Check that the spending is eligible for your business. |
| £100 mixed purchase £80 for fabric for a customer garment; £20 for material for your own wardrobe | Upload the itemised receipt and review the suggested category. Identify fabric for a customer garment separately from material for your own wardrobe. | 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. |
| £200 booking payment, then £600 £800 agreed total | Keep the agreement for a bespoke garment booking and review both customer receipts against it. Bring in the payments through your bank feed or statement import. | The two payments account for the £800 total. Do not count the full invoice again as another receipt. Use your accounting method for timing, and retain evidence of any later cancellation or refund. |
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 dressmakers, tailors and alterations specialists. Claim only eligible business costs; mixed use, equipment and your accounting method can change the treatment.
Fabric and linings
Thread and fastenings
Machine servicing
Pattern supplies
Studio rent
Business packaging
One thing to watch
Keep customer fabric purchases separate from your wardrobe
Material for a commissioned dress is different from fabric used for your own clothing. Mark mixed orders clearly so personal sewing projects do not end up among business costs.
HMRC: allowable business expenses ↗Fit the admin around the work
A routine around your bespoke dress commission.
Upload haberdashery receipts, record cash from collections and match commission deposits with the later balance.
Capture the supporting documents
Upload receipts or invoices for fabric, lining and fastenings. Keep the date, supplier and amount legible, and distinguish fabric for a customer garment from material for your own wardrobe.
How document capture works →Reconcile your bespoke dress commission payments
Review each customer receipt against the work it covers. Keep the breakdown for a bespoke garment booking 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 bespoke dress commission income is complete, and remove duplicate or personal spending. Keep the evidence for a bespoke garment booking ready for your annual-return review too.
Before you get started
Questions from dressmakers, tailors and alterations specialists.
Does MTD apply to everyone in this profession?
No. This page covers dressmakers, tailors and alterations specialists 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.
What records help with lots of small alteration payments?
Keep the collection record and the amount actually paid for each alteration. Reconcile cash, card and transfers regularly so small jobs do not disappear between commissions.
How do I record a bespoke garment booking?
Example: £200 booking payment, then £600 (£800 agreed total). The two payments account for the £800 total. Do not count the full invoice again as another receipt. Use your accounting method for timing, and retain evidence of any later cancellation or refund.
Which bookkeeping issue should I watch for?
Keep customer fabric purchases separate from your wardrobe. Material for a commissioned dress is different from fabric used for your own clothing. Mark mixed orders clearly so personal sewing projects do not end up among business costs.
Can I keep using my existing spreadsheet?
Yes. Bring your bespoke dress commission income records and evidence of fabric, lining and fastenings 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
Tailor your bookkeeping to your business.
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.