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
Has business confidence taken a “decisive turn for the worse”?
According to two major reports from the IoD and CBI, business leaders' confidence in the UK economy has crashed to a post-COVID low.
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UK SMEs that hire accountants report higher revenue and lower stress levels
An interesting new study shows that small firms that use accountants boost their revenues by 11.5% on average. They also report lower stress levels!
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Big gap between HMRC interest rate on late payments vs. refunds
In what one tax advisory calls the 'elephant in the room', there is a sizeable gap between the interest rate HMRC pays on late payments and the amount of interest it pays out on tax refunds.
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Autumn Budget 2024 – How does it impact small business owners?
The autumn budget was one of the most anticipated in recent memory. Employers National Insurance is set to rise from April 2025, with inreases to CGT (including BADR) and other taxes. Read the key points here.
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Virgin StartUp welcomes new mentors ahead of National Mentoring Day
One of the UK's most prominent business mentor networks, Virgin StartUp, has welcomed a new batch of high-profile mentors to its community ahead of National Mentoring Day.
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Late payment debt recovery service for ByteStart visitors (with Safe Collections)
Struggling with late payment? ByteStart visitors get exclusive rates with Safe Collections – no upfront fees, free claim review, and fast results.
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How to set up in business as an IT contractor
Few who decide to become IT contractors live to regret it thanks to the greater financial and personal freedom they enjoy. Is it the life for you?
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Top driver for becoming self-employed is the desire to “be my own boss.”
The biggest motivator for people to go it alone is the desire to be their own boss. We look at why now - in 2024 - is a great time to start a new business.
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79% of women self-fund their start-up businesses
A new report by Small Business Britain highlights some major obstacles female entrepreneurs face, including access to funding and a lack of financial skills and confidence. The report, Female Entrepreneurship: Moving Forward, delves into the challenges women business owners face and explores ways to enhance entrepreneurial growth and inclusion in the UK. Almost 80% of ... <a title="79% of women self-fund their start-up businesses" class="read-more" href="https://www.bytestart.co.uk/news-insights/woman-self-fund-businesses/" aria-label="Read more about 79% of women self-fund their start-up businesses">Read more</a>
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Small firms responsible for most tax evasion in the UK according to NAO report
A new report by the National Audit Office (NAO) says that the UK’s small businesses are responsible for the ‘vast majority’ of tax evasion. In fact, of the £5.5bn tax lost due to evasion, an astonishing 81% is said to be caused by small firms. The report – Tackling tax evasion in high street and ... <a title="Small firms responsible for most tax evasion in the UK according to NAO report" class="read-more" href="https://www.bytestart.co.uk/news-insights/hmrc-says-small-firms-responsible-for-most-tax-evasion-in-the-uk/" aria-label="Read more about Small firms responsible for most tax evasion in the UK according to NAO report">Read more</a>
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55% of self employed will have no private pension savings at retirement if trends continue
A new study by the Institute of Fiscal Studies (IFS) reveals a startling difference in pension saving patterns between the self employed and employees.
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Top 10 business planning tips for start-ups + template downloads
Even if you're cynical about the usefulness of business plans, writing one will force you to consider aspects of your business you might have overlooked.
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Number of self-employed aged 60 and over in the UK hits a record 991,000
An interesting new study highlights the significant number of self-employed individuals who are over 60. According to the digital community Rest Less, the number of people over 60 who work for themselves reached a record of 991,432 last year. Data extracted from the Office of National Statistics (ONS) shows that the proportion of the UK’s ... <a title="Number of self-employed aged 60 and over in the UK hits a record 991,000" class="read-more" href="https://www.bytestart.co.uk/news-insights/self-employed-over-60/" aria-label="Read more about Number of self-employed aged 60 and over in the UK hits a record 991,000">Read more</a>
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Guide to insolvency, liquidation and bankruptcy for business owners
Running out of cash can have grave consequences for your business. It could result in it being put into liquidation or you being declared bankrupt.
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How to choose a good name for your limited company
Rules for choosing a limited company name, including restricted words, trademarks, trading names and domains.
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