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
What counts as proof of income when you are a sole trader
How to prove your income if you're self-employed. Which documents to use, how to get your SA302 from HMRC, and how much history you need as a sole trader.
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Can sole traders claim equipment and tools as business expenses?
How to claim for laptops, tools, phones and other business equipment as a sole trader – including capital…
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Do you need a separate business bank account?
If you're starting up, do you need a separate bank account for your new business? The answer depends…
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Making Tax Digital is here: four things sole traders should do now
With MTD ITSA now in place, what do sole traders and landlords need to know now to smoothly…
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Simplified expenses – how to claim flat-rate business costs as a sole trader
Practical guide to HMRC simplified expenses for sole traders, with flat rates, examples, and links to related tax…
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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,…
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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…
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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…
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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…
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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,…
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VAT registration – when should you register for VAT? Try HMRC’s estimator tool
If the ‘taxable supplies’ of your business over the past 12 months have exceeded the current VAT registration…
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What business expenses can your limited company claim for?
Which expenses you can claim via your limited company, and what to consider when deciding whether it's you…
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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…
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Can sole traders give to charity and get tax relief?
If you're self-employed, it is easy to make charitable donations, but they aren't treated in the same way…
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Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) – rates, rules and the new £500,000 limit
Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) reduces your capital gains tax bill if you sell your business. How does…
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