Construction & trades
MTD software for scaffolders.
Solid structures. Straightforward records.
Yard overheads, transport and site work continue even when invoices arrive late. Avona helps independent scaffolders see business receipts and spending without carrying the paperwork home each night.
- Who it is for
- Scaffolders 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.
Erection, hire and dismantling charges build gross income. Equipment investment and truck running costs reduce what you retain, but they do not reduce turnover for the 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 scaffold erection and hire.
Bring the evidence into Avona, review the suggested categories and check the figures before submitting. These three examples show the records behind your scaffold erection and hire, shared purchases and a scaffolding booking.
| What you bring | How you use Avona | What you check |
|---|---|---|
| £1,600 for your scaffold erection and hire £420 spent on hired scaffold components | Connect your bank or import the payment, then upload the invoice or receipt for hired scaffold components. Review the income and the purchase as separate records. | Keep £1,600 as the sale and the £420 cost separately. The £1,180 left after this cost is not turnover. Check that the spending is eligible for your business. |
| £100 mixed purchase £80 for site-specific protective equipment; £20 for personal outdoor equipment | Upload the itemised receipt and review the suggested category. Identify site-specific protective equipment separately from personal outdoor equipment. | 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 scaffolding 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 scaffolders. Claim only eligible business costs; mixed use, equipment and your accounting method can change the treatment.
Scaffold boards and fittings
Equipment repairs
Business flatbed fuel
Public liability insurance
Yard storage rent
Safety inspection costs
One thing to watch
Buying equipment is different from depreciation
Keep purchase and disposal records for reusable scaffolding and vehicles. Tax relief does not simply equal the depreciation in your accounts; treatment depends on the asset and accounting method.
HMRC: office, property and equipment ↗Fit the admin around the work
A routine around your scaffold erection and hire.
Record site invoices, attach yard and transport costs, and flag major equipment purchases for review instead of treating every supplier payment alike.
Capture the supporting documents
Upload receipts or invoices for hired scaffold components. Keep the date, supplier and amount legible, and distinguish site-specific protective equipment from personal outdoor equipment.
How document capture works →Reconcile your scaffold erection and hire payments
Review each customer receipt against the work it covers. Keep the breakdown for a scaffolding 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 scaffold erection and hire income is complete, and remove duplicate or personal spending. Keep the evidence for a scaffolding booking ready for your annual-return review too.
Before you get started
Questions from scaffolders.
Does MTD apply to everyone in this profession?
No. This page covers scaffolders 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.
Is buying scaffold the same as hiring it?
No. Keep purchase invoices for scaffold you retain and hire bills for equipment you return. Equipment ownership, finance and your accounting method affect how the cost is treated.
How do I record a scaffolding 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?
Buying equipment is different from depreciation. Keep purchase and disposal records for reusable scaffolding and vehicles. Tax relief does not simply equal the depreciation in your accounts; treatment depends on the asset and accounting method.
Can I keep using my existing spreadsheet?
Yes. Bring your scaffold erection and hire income records and evidence of hired scaffold components 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
Build a clearer scaffolding cashbook.
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.