Can I backdate business expenses before I registered as self-employed?
Can you claim business expenses before registering as self-employed? Find out what HMRC allows, the time limits, and how to record pre-trading costs.
When does your business officially start trading?
Unsure when your business officially starts? This guide explains how HMRC defines the start of trading, with examples of what does and doesn’t count.
What is Companies House? Functions, forms and director obligations
Learn what Companies House does, the main forms and filings it requires, and the key responsibilities of limited company directors.
Claiming capital allowances as a sole trader – what’s allowed
A practical guide to capital allowances for sole traders, including what you can claim, current rates, and how the rules differ from limited companies.
How to register for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD ITSA)
Learn how to sign up for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax as a sole trader. Step-by-step guide, software tips, and what you need to register.
Mileage allowance for sole traders: HMRC rules and rates (2025/26)
G-uide to mileage allowance for sole traders in 2025/26 – including HMRC rates, what journeys qualify, how to keep records, and the best tracking tools.
What is the £1,000 trading allowance – how does it work?
How the UK trading allowance works, who can use it, when to register with HMRC, and what changes with the new £3,000 threshold from 2027.
Can I pay myself a salary if I’m a sole trader?
Can pay yourself a salary as a sole trader? Learn how drawings work, what HMRC expects, and how to manage tax and NI when you're self-employed.
Can you open a business bank account before you start trading?
Find out if you can open a business bank account before you start trading, and what banks need to see before activating your account.
Can sole traders use a PO Box as a business address?
Using a PO Box sounds simple, but it won’t work for everything. Here’s what HMRC, banks and marketplaces require if you're self-employed.