Sole Trader Basics
Simple, practical guides to help you start and run a sole trader business in the UK.
If you’re figuring out registration, tax, banking, or accounting software, start here and follow the steps in order.
Start your sole trader setup
1) Check if you need to register
If you’ve earned money from self-employment, freelancing, platform work, or a side hustle, start here:
2) Register with HMRC
Once you know you need to register, this guide walks you through the process:
3) Get your setup right
After registration, these are the most important decisions:
Most useful guides
Getting started
- Self-Employed vs Sole Trader: What’s the Difference?
- Can You Be Employed and Self-Employed?
- What Is a Sole Trader?
Banking
- Do You Need a Business Bank Account?
- Free Business Bank Accounts for Sole Traders
- Tide vs Starling for Sole Traders
Accounting and bookkeeping
Compare tools
If you’re choosing software, start with these:
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Last updated: March 2026. Always check HMRC guidance for the latest rules and thresholds.