Supporting Britain’s small businesses since 2004
Independent guides, practical advice, news and free calculators for people starting, running and growing a UK business — from sole traders to limited company owners.
Guides for sole traders and the self-employed
Start with the subject you need help with.
01
Getting started
Becoming self-employed, registering with HMRC and setting up your business.
02
Tax & HMRC
Self Assessment, National Insurance, VAT and Making Tax Digital.
03
Accounts & expenses
Bookkeeping, allowable expenses, invoices and getting paid.
04
Business banking
Choosing an account, comparing charges and protecting your money.
05
Business insurance
Public liability, professional indemnity and other business cover.
06
Pensions
SIPPs, pension tax relief and saving for retirement when you work for yourself.
07
Protecting yourself
Income protection, private healthcare and financial protection.
Also
Limited companies
Separate guides for company directors, tax, accounts and Companies House.
Latest ByteStart guides
Combining old pensions – advantages and disadvantages
If you run your own business, whether as a sole trader or through a limited company, you may well have spent time working for several employers during your working life.…
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Company vs personal pension contributions – which is better for directors?
As a limited company director, you can pay into your pension personally or make employer contributions via your…
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Employer pension contributions vs dividends for company directors
If your limited company has money available after paying its other costs, you can take it as dividends…
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Workplace pension auto-enrolment for limited company owners
As a business owner, you are probably aware that you must automatically enrol eligible employees into a workplace…
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Pension carry forward for limited company directors
If you haven’t used your full pension annual allowance in recent years, you may be able to carry…
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How to pay into a pension from your limited company (2026/27 guide)
How limited company directors can make personal and employer pension contributions, including Corporation Tax relief, pension allowances, SIPPs…
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SIPP fees and charges – what does a SIPP really cost?
Compare SIPP fees, platform charges, fund costs and flat-fee versus percentage-based pricing, with examples for limited company directors.
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SIPPs for limited company directors – how they work
How SIPPs work for limited company directors, including company pension contributions, tax relief, allowances, withdrawals and charges.
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Tide business bank account review – £50 cashback
Our 2026 Tide business account review. Tide is used by over 1.5m UK businesses. See how the free…
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Business savings accounts for small businesses: how they work
Business savings accounts for sole traders, partnerships and limited companies - account types, interest, FSCS protection and tax…
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Can you use a personal bank account for your business – and should you?
Sole traders can use a personal bank account, but should they? Here’s what HMRC says, the risks involved,…
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Limited company business bank accounts: how to choose
How to choose a business bank account for your UK limited company, including fees, account eligibility, directors' checks,…
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Late Payment Interest Calculator – Calculate Interest on Overdue Invoices
Calculate statutory late payment interest and recovery compensation on overdue UK business invoices. Simple interest using the applicable…
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Corporation Tax Calculator – UK Limited Companies (2026/27)
Calculate UK Corporation Tax for 2026/27, including marginal relief at profits between £50,000 and £250,000. Free limited company…
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VAT Calculator – Add or Remove UK VAT
Add or remove VAT at 20%, 5% or 0%. Calculate the VAT amount, net price and total with…
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