Not sure whether self-employment is right for you?
This section explains what working for yourself involves, including the advantages, potential risks and the decisions you need to make before starting.
You’ll find business ideas, help choosing the right structure, guidance on registering with HMRC, and practical advice for running your business.
Ready to begin? Start with our 15 steps to becoming self-employed or compare the two most common structures:
sole trader versus limited company.
If you have a spare room, second home or other property, letting it through Airbnb can provide an extra source of income or become a business in its own right. There’s plenty to sort out before you start taking bookings, though. As well as deciding what to charge and preparing the property for guests, you … Read more
Dog walking and pet sitting are increasingly popular ways to earn extra money, and both are relatively cheap and straightforward to get started with.
Want to become a taxi or private hire driver? Here are the licences, vehicle costs, insurance and other things you’ll need to sort out before you start.
So what exactly does it take to start a coffee shop? Here are the main things you’ll need to sort out before you open the doors.
Looking to earn extra money outside school hours? Here are 10 small business ideas for teachers, from private tutoring and revision sessions to consultancy and online courses.
Looking for ways to earn money after retirement? Here are 10 practical business ideas for retirees, from consultancy and tutoring to gardening and local services.
If you’re starting up as a sole trader subcontractor, it is worth registering for CIS early. It means contractors can verify your details before they pay you.
What is the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)? How CIS works, who needs to register, tax deduction rates and how self-employed subcontractors are affected.
Stopping self-employment? Here’s how to close your sole trader business properly, from tax and HMRC to bank accounts and records.
Can you run multiple businesses as a sole trader? HMRC rules explained: one UTR, separate trades, tax returns, record-keeping, and MTD requirements.