How many years should you keep your tax and accounting records for?
How long sole traders, limited companies, employers and CIS businesses must keep tax records, plus the documents you should retain as per HMRC guidelines.
The first year in business – why survival matters more than speed
Ask most aspiring entrepreneurs what success looks like, and you'll often hear the same answers. Launching quickly. Winning customers. Growing revenue. Hiring staff. Those milestones are important, but they overlook…
Can you charge VAT while waiting for your VAT number?
If you've applied for VAT registration but are still waiting for your VAT number, you may be unsure whether you should start charging VAT. In most cases, the answer is…
Can a sole trader have more than one VAT number?
Can a sole trader have more than one VAT number? Why most sole traders can only have one VAT registration, even if they run multiple businesses.
How Tide and Zempler connect to Xero, FreeAgent and QuickBooks
How Tide and Zempler bank accounts connect to Xero and QuickBooks, and how bank feeds improve reconciliation and digital record-keeping.
How to cancel your VAT registration if you’re self-employed
If you've ceased trading, your turnover has fallen, or you've changed how you run your business, you may no longer need to be VAT registered.
Can I open a business bank account with bad credit as a sole trader?
How to open a business bank account as a sole trader even with bad credit. Compare Tide and Zempler, see how their no-credit-check process works.
VAT for the self-employed – what you need to know in 2026
A practical guide to VAT for sole traders in 2026 – when to register, how it works, VAT returns, reclaiming expenses, and how to stay compliant with HMRC.
How long does it take to open a sole trader business bank account?
How long does it take to open a sole trader business bank account? Typical timescales for digital and high-street banks, plus what can cause delays.
How to stop being self-employed: a sole trader checklist
Stopping self-employment? Here’s how to close your sole trader business properly, from tax and HMRC to bank accounts and records.