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Tax & HMRC

Understanding how tax works is essential if you’re self-employed.

This section covers everything you need to know about Income Tax, National Insurance, Self Assessment, VAT, and staying on the right side of HMRC.

Whether you’re just starting out as a sole trader or need help with deadlines, penalties or Making Tax Digital (MTD), our no-nonsense guides can help!

Start with these guides

  • How does self assessment work if you’re self-employed?
  • What is Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax?
  • What taxes do you pay if you work for yourself?
  • Use our 2025/26 tax year sole trader calculator
  • What is VAT and when do you have to register?
dividend tax increase april 2026

Small company owners hit hard by April 2026 dividend tax increase

November 26, 2025
In today's Autumn Budget, the Chancellor confirmed that the basic and higher rates of dividend tax will rise by two percentage points from April 2026.
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HMRC reminds Christmas side hustlers to check if they need to pay tax

HMRC reminds Christmas side hustlers to check if they need to pay tax

November 13, 2025
HMRC has issued a festive reminder to anyone making extra money from market stalls and other seasonal side hustles, to check if their earnings are taxable.
Read More
studen loan sole trader

How do student loan repayments work if you’re a sole trader?

November 3, 2025
How do student loan repayments work when you’re self-employed?. Find out how HMRC calculates what you owe, and how much you’ll repay via Self Assessment.
Read More
31st October paper Self Assessment deadline: who it applies to

31st October paper Self Assessment deadline: who it applies to

October 22, 2025
The paper Self Assessment deadline is 31st October. Find out who can still file on paper, what happens if you're late, and how to avoid HMRC penalties.
Read More
is vat number valid UK or EU

How to check if a UK or EU VAT registration number is valid

October 7, 2025
If you have a new UK or EU customer or supplier, you should check the VAT registration number (VRN) they have supplied is valid. Here are three ways you can do so.
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register twice utr sole trader

What to do if you accidentally register twice with HMRC as a sole trader

October 6, 2025
Accidentally registered twice as a sole trader with HMRC? Learn how to fix duplicate UTRs, avoid penalties, and get your Self Assessment record corrected.
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october 5th self assessment hmrc deadline

What is the October 5th Self Assessment deadline and what happens if you miss it?

September 29, 2025
If you became self employed during the previous tax year, make sure you register for Self Assessment by 5th October to avoid HMRC penalties. What happens if you miss this deadline?
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badr sole trader entrepreneurs relief

Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) – was 10%, now 14%, rising to 18%

September 21, 2025
Business Asset Disposal Relief (BADR) reduces your capital gains tax bill if you sell your business. How does BADR works and what are the current rates?
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business rates self employed

Business rates and small business rate relief explained

September 2, 2025
Business rates are the non-domestic equivalent of council tax. How they are calculated, multipliers for 2025/26, and how small business rate relief works.
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unique taxpayer reference UTR

UTR number explained – what it is, when you need one, and how to get it

August 23, 2025
A Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) is a 10-digit code from HMRC used for tax. Find out when you get one, why it matters, and how to register or recover it.
Read More

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