Using Xero for Making Tax Digital (MTD for Income Tax) as a sole trader
A practical guide to using Xero for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax. See how it works under MTD and whether it suits sole traders.
Why accounting software is essential for Making Tax Digital (MTD)
Making Tax Digital (for Income Tax) starts in April 2026. We explain why accounting software matters and can help you produce and submit digital records.
From annual returns to quarterly updates: MTD for sole traders
MTD for Income Tax begins in April 2026. We explain how quarterly reporting affects sole traders, the £50,000 threshold, and how to prepare.
Do you need an accountant if you’re self-employed (sole trader)?
Do you need an accountant when self-employed? Learn when to DIY, when to hire help, and how a good accountant can save you time, stress, and tax.
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.
How to claim parking, tolls and congestion charges as travel expenses
Learn when sole traders can claim parking, tolls and congestion charges as business travel expenses, and what HMRC won’t allow.
Can you claim gym memberships and wellbeing costs as a sole trader?
Find out if you can claim gym memberships, yoga or other wellbeing costs. HMRC’s rules on what’s tax deductible - and what is just a personal expense.
Eye tests and glasses for the self-employed: what you can claim
Practical guide for sole traders and the self-employed on claiming eye tests and glasses as business expenses. Explains how HMRC’s strict rules work.
Phone and internet expenses for sole traders: HMRC rules and allowances
Most self-employed people rely on the same phone and broadband for both work and personal use. You can usually claim back part of the cost as a business expense, but…
Entertainment expenses for sole traders: what you can and can’t claim
Client lunches. Coffee after a meeting. A team meal at the end of a project. Are any of these costs tax-deductible? For sole traders, the tax treatment of “entertainment” has…