Retail & crafts
MTD software for market stall traders.
Run the stall. Keep a clear record of the takings.
Market days mix cash, card payments and last-minute stock purchases. Avona helps independent stallholders bring the day’s trading evidence together without a late-night receipt pile.
- Who it is for
- Market stall traders 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.
Card settlements may arrive after transaction fees, while cash is collected on the day. Keep the underlying sales totals as well as settlement statements so charges do not disappear into net receipts.
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 market-day sales.
Bring the evidence into Avona, review the suggested categories and check the figures before submitting. These three examples show the records behind your market-day sales, shared purchases and cash used to restock during a market day.
| What you bring | How you use Avona | What you check |
|---|---|---|
| £650 for your market-day sales £250 spent on stock bought for the stall | Connect your bank or import the payment, then upload the invoice or receipt for stock bought for the stall. Review the income and the purchase as separate records. | Keep £650 as the sale and the £250 cost separately. The £400 left after this cost is not turnover. Check that the spending is eligible for your business. |
| £100 mixed purchase £80 for packaging for stall sales; £20 for bags for personal use | Upload the itemised receipt and review the suggested category. Identify packaging for stall sales separately from bags for personal use. | 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. |
| £300 cash takings; £40 spent £260 left to bank after a business purchase | Record cash used to restock during a market day and retain the receipt for the £40 of business supplies. Reconcile the cash movement with the later bank deposit. | The £260 bank deposit is not the full income. Keep £300 of takings and the £40 purchase separately recorded, and treat banking that same cash as a transfer rather than another sale. |
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 market stall traders. Claim only eligible business costs; mixed use, equipment and your accounting method can change the treatment.
Stock for resale
Pitch fees
Display equipment
Business packaging
Card-processing charges
Eligible market travel
One thing to watch
Cash used to restock still needs recording
If you spend part of the day’s cash takings at a wholesaler, record the sales and the stock purchase separately. The amount eventually banked is only part of the trading story.
HMRC: keeping business records ↗Fit the admin around the work
A routine around your market-day sales.
Record cash takings after the market, upload pitch and stock receipts and reconcile card settlements with their fee statements.
Capture the supporting documents
Upload receipts or invoices for stock bought for the stall. Keep the date, supplier and amount legible, and distinguish packaging for stall sales from bags for personal use.
How document capture works →Reconcile your market-day sales payments
Review each customer receipt against the work it covers. Keep the breakdown for cash used to restock during a market day 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 market-day sales income is complete, and remove duplicate or personal spending. Keep the evidence for cash used to restock during a market day ready for your annual-return review too.
Before you get started
Questions from market stall traders.
Does MTD apply to everyone in this profession?
No. This page covers market stall traders 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.
How do I reconcile card and cash sales together?
Keep a daily sales breakdown, card-provider settlements and cash movements. A bank deposit or card payout alone may exclude fees or cash spent before banking.
How do I record cash used to restock during a market day?
Example: £300 cash takings; £40 spent (£260 left to bank after a business purchase). The £260 bank deposit is not the full income. Keep £300 of takings and the £40 purchase separately recorded, and treat banking that same cash as a transfer rather than another sale.
Which bookkeeping issue should I watch for?
Cash used to restock still needs recording. If you spend part of the day’s cash takings at a wholesaler, record the sales and the stock purchase separately. The amount eventually banked is only part of the trading story.
Can I keep using my existing spreadsheet?
Yes. Bring your market-day sales income records and evidence of stock bought for the stall 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
Set up a simpler routine for your market books.
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.