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Posts by ByteStart

About ByteStart
ByteStart is one of the most popular growth business sites in the UK. We publish no-nonsense guides and practical help for start-ups and growing businesses, with a focus on the self-employed (sole traders). The site was set up by James Leckie and Emyr Williams in 2004. Over the past 25 years, the team behind ByteStart has also developed some of the most popular business sites in the UK. For more details, see the About ByteStart page.
private health insurance self employed

Private health insurance options for small business owners

September 15, 2025
Practical guide to private health insurance for the self-employed. How policies work, the main types of cover available, and how much does it cost?
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entertainment expenses costs sole trader

Entertainment expenses for sole traders: what you can and can’t claim

September 12, 2025
Client lunches. Coffee after a meeting. A team meal at the end of a project. Are any of these costs tax-deductible? For sole traders, the tax treatment of “entertainment” has…
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training expenses courses self employed

What training expenses can you claim if you work for yourself?

September 12, 2025
Learn which training costs you can claim when self-employed, how HMRC treats them, what records to keep, and where to enter them on your tax return.
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sole trader expenses

What business expenses can you claim as a sole trader?

September 12, 2025
As a sole trader, you can deduct many business costs from your income and pay less tax. But what counts as a legitimate business expense?
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what is turnover and how calculate self employed

What is ‘turnover’ and how do you calculate it?

September 11, 2025
Turnover is one key indicator and profit another although the two are not be confused. Our quick guide will explain exactly what turnover is, why it matters, and how to differentiate it from profit.
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income protection self employed

Self-employed income protection – cover if you’re sick or injured

September 10, 2025
Find out how income protection works for sole traders. Learn cover limits, deferred periods and policy types if you can’t work due to illness or injury.
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become self employed sole trader

15 steps to take when you become self-employed in 2025

September 10, 2025
Thinking of going self-employed? Here are 12 practical steps to help you register, set up, and start trading – even while still working.
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universal credit self employed

Can I register as self-employed while claiming Universal Credit or other benefits?

September 9, 2025
Plenty of people start a small business while still receiving benefits. It might be a side hustle alongside another job, or simply a way to test out self-employment without giving…
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membership professional sole trader

Professional membership and registration for sole traders

September 9, 2025
Do sole traders need professional membership or registration? Learn which jobs are regulated and when joining a body can help your business.
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business rates self employed

Business rates and small business rate relief explained

September 2, 2025
Business rates are the non-domestic equivalent of council tax. How they are calculated, multipliers for 2025/26, and how small business rate relief works.
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Brand new ByteStart guides
  • What is the £120,000 FSCS and does it apply to business bank accounts?
  • Small company owners hit hard by April 2026 dividend tax increase
  • Autumn Budget ’25 – Chancellor hammers small business owners again



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