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
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.
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One in four qualifying business owners still haven’t signed up for MTD
With the first quarterly MTD for Income Tax deadline on the horizon, new research suggests that many sole…
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Home office expenses for the self-employed: what you can claim
Self-employed and working from home? Learn how to claim household expenses, including rent, utilities, and simplified flat rates.
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How many years should you keep your tax and accounting records for?
How long sole traders, limited companies, employers and CIS businesses must keep tax records, plus the documents you…
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How much do you need to save for retirement if you’re self-employed?
How much should self-employed people save for retirement? See typical retirement costs and how much you may need…
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The first year in business – why survival matters more than speed
Ask most aspiring entrepreneurs what success looks like, and you’ll often hear the same answers. Launching quickly. Winning…
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Can you charge VAT while waiting for your VAT number?
If you’ve applied for VAT registration but are still waiting for your VAT number, you may be unsure…
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Can a sole trader have more than one VAT number?
Can a sole trader have more than one VAT number? Why most sole traders can only have one…
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How Tide and Zempler connect to Xero, FreeAgent and QuickBooks
How Tide and Zempler bank accounts connect to Xero and QuickBooks, and how bank feeds improve reconciliation and…
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How to cancel your VAT registration if you’re self-employed
If you've ceased trading, your turnover has fallen, or you've changed how you run your business, you may…
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Can you open a business bank account with bad credit?
Can you open a business bank account with poor personal credit? What sole traders and company directors should…
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How long does it take to open a business bank account?
How long a business bank account application can take for sole traders and limited companies, including identification checks…
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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…
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Do you still need an accountant if you use Xero or FreeAgent?
Using Xero or FreeAgent for your accounts? Find out if you still need an accountant, what software can’t…
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Do I need public liability insurance to sell at markets or fairs?
Planning to sell at a market or craft fair? Find out whether you need public liability insurance, what…
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