Step-by-step UK guides to registering as self-employed, plus a matching service to find the right accountant once you start trading. Free guides, free intros.
A specialist accountant solves the immediate problem. The rest — software, insurance, ops — usually needs to land at the same time. We match the lot in one go.
Step-by-step UK guide to registering as self-employed with HMRC. Deadlines, what you need, what comes next.
Common stack: 100% free, no email required.
Once you're registered, match with an accountant who'll handle your annual Self-Assessment, allowable expenses and ongoing bookkeeping.
Common stack: £22-£75/mo typical for sole-trader accounts.
Separate business bank account makes everything easier. Tide, Mettle and Starling all offer free or near-free sole-trader accounts.
Common stack: Tide · Mettle · Starling · Monzo Business.
When (and if) the time comes to incorporate, the matched accountant will model it for you with no upsell pressure.
Common stack: Free incorporation advice as part of the ongoing engagement.
No fees, no obligation. The specialists on our bench publish their prices — you'll see them before you commit.
If your question isn't here, email info@registerselfemployed.co.uk.
UK accountants for self-employed people start from around £22/month, which typically covers your annual Self-Assessment filing, basic bookkeeping help, and a year-end tax review. Add-ons: bookkeeping if you don't want to do it (~£30-50/mo), MTD-compliant software (~£10/mo if your accountant doesn't include it), VAT returns if you're VAT-registered (~£25-40/mo). Annual one-off Self-Assessment-only services start from around £150 per year for very simple cases.
Usually 10-15 working days from when you submit the online registration. The activation code for the Self Assessment online service comes separately, also by post.
Yes. Many sole traders under £20K-£25K turnover file their own. The HMRC online tool walks you through it. Above that, an accountant typically pays for themselves through claimed expenses.
A sole trader IS the business — your profits are your income, you have unlimited liability. A limited company is a separate legal entity that you're a director and shareholder of. Limited companies often save tax above £50K-£60K profit but add complexity.
31 January following the tax year. So if you start in 2025/26, your first Self Assessment is due by 31 January 2027. If your bill is over £1,000, you'll also pay 50% toward next year on the same day.
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