Construction Industry Scheme (CIS): a guide for self-employed subcontractors
What is the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)? How CIS works, who needs to register, tax deduction rates and how self-employed subcontractors are affected.
Go Self Employed
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.
Business ideas
Running your business
Getting started
Registering and legal basics
- How to register as self-employed
- What happens if you register as self-employed late?
- What counts as your business start date?
- Choosing a business name as a sole trader
- Do sole traders need to register with Companies House?
- Professional memberships and registrations for sole traders
- Do you need a partnership agreement?
Ending or changing your business
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.
Can you run multiple sole trader businesses at the same time?
Can you run multiple businesses as a sole trader? HMRC rules explained: one UTR, separate trades, tax returns, record-keeping, and MTD requirements.
How to start an eBay business: what you need to know
Are you thinking of joining in and trying your hand at becoming an eBay seller? Here’s what you need to know about getting your new business off the ground.
Do you have to register with Companies House if you’re a sole trader?
Companies House is the UK’s registrar of companies and the government agency responsible for incorporating and dissolving limited companies. If you’re setting up as a sole trader (i.e. self employed), do you have to register your business too?
The risks of setting up a partnership without an agreement
Learn why partnership agreements matter, who should have one, and the clauses that help avoid disputes and protect your business.
How to successfully start a small business in the evenings
If you think a lack of time stops you from launching your own business, think again. We look at how you can start your own business in the evenings.
Sole trader vs limited company – pros and cons explained
Should you run your business as a sole trader or set up a limited company? We explain the pros and cons of each – including setting up, tax and liability.
What happens if I register as self-employed late?
In this guide, we explain the official rules, how HMRC treats late registration, the potential penalties, and what to do if you’ve missed the deadline.
Selling up as a sole trader: tax, valuation and practical steps
Step-by-step guide to selling your sole trader business, from working out value and finding a buyer to tax rules and timing your sale.