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Tax & HMRC

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

This section explains how the UK tax system applies to sole traders, including Income Tax, National Insurance, Self Assessment, and VAT.

You’ll also find guides covering common issues such as tax deadlines, penalties, record-keeping requirements, and the upcoming Making Tax Digital (MTD) rules.

Whether you’re just starting out or want to make sure you’re meeting HMRC’s requirements, these guides explain the key rules in plain English.

Start with these guides

  • What taxes do you pay if you work for yourself?
  • How does Self Assessment work if you’re self-employed?
  • What is Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax?
  • What is VAT and when do you have to register?
  • Use our sole trader tax calculator

Self Assessment and tax returns

  • Common Self Assessment mistakes
  • How long you must keep tax records
  • How to register for Making Tax Digital
  • MTD deadlines explained

National Insurance and allowances

  • National Insurance for the self-employed
  • The trading allowance explained
  • High income child benefit charge
  • Student loan repayments for the self-employed

VAT and business taxes

  • VAT threshold explained
  • VAT guide for small businesses
  • Flat Rate VAT scheme explained

Tax mistakes and common problems

  • Registered twice with HMRC?
  • HMRC interest rates on late tax payments
  • Business Asset Disposal Relief explained
mtd exemptions

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: exemptions explained

July 18, 2025
A clear guide to who must follow MTD for Income Tax, who’s exempt, and the key easements available for sole traders and landlords.
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31st july payment account

Self-employed? 31st July Payment on Account tax deadline looms

July 17, 2025
Payment on Account tax is due by 31 July. Learn who it applies to, how to pay, and what happens if you miss the deadline. Includes guides and links.
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making tax digital for income tax

Self-employed unprepared for Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (April 2026 deadline!)

April 8, 2025
With the April 2026 deadline approaching for MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment (ITSA), new research shows how unprepared the self employed are for the change.
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side hustle hmrc reporting

Online platforms must provide HMRC with sales reports on ‘side hustle’ businesses

January 22, 2025
If you make some extra money via a 'side hustle' - by selling online - you should be aware that digital platforms now share information about sellers with HMRC. You might need to pay tax on any profits you make - but it depends!
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self asessment deadline small business owner

Over 5m yet to file self assessment returns – don’t miss the 31st Jan deadline!

January 8, 2025
HMRC says that by the start of 2025, over 5 million people had yet to file their self-assessment tax returns. Make sure you don't miss the deadline!
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HMRC late payment interest

Big gap between HMRC interest rate on late payments vs. refunds

November 13, 2024
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.
Read More

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