How to Register as a Sole Trader UK

Quick answer

To register as a sole trader in the UK, you need to sign up for Self Assessment with HMRC.

👉 You can register here: https://www.gov.uk/register-for-self-assessment

The process takes about 10–15 minutes.

When do you need to register?

You must register if:

you earn more than £1,000 from self-employment in a tax year
you regularly sell goods or services
you intend to run a business

This £1,000 threshold is called the trading allowance.

👉 If you earn less than this, you may not need to register.

Step-by-step: how to register

1. Go to HMRC

Visit:

https://www.gov.uk/register-for-self-assessment

You’ll either:

create a new account
or log in if you already have one

3. Fill in your details

You’ll need:

your name and address
National Insurance number
date you started your business

4. Choose “Sole Trader”

Make sure you select:

Self-employed / Sole Trader