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Guidance, forms and helpsheets for self-employment. Including setting up your business, filing returns, claiming expenses and how to get help and support.

• Updated: 12 February 2024

What you need to do if you start working for yourself.

Become a sole trader with HM Revenue and Customs - your legal responsibilities if you run a business as a self-employed sole trader.

• What a sole trader is

  A sole trader is a type of business. It’s the simplest business structure…

• Choose your business name

  You can trade under your own name, or you can choose another name for your…

• Register as a sole trader

  You register as a sole trader by registering for Self Assessment. You must…

Claiming Universal Credit if you're self-employed - eligibility, reporting your earnings, start up periods

Employment status (worker, employee, self-employed, director or contractor) affects employment rights and employer responsibilities in the workplace

Business expenses you can claim if you're self-employed

Choosing a legal structure when you're starting a business: the differences between being a sole trader and a limited company, including legal risk, registration and taxes.

Find information on completing the self-employment section of your Self Assessment tax return.

• Updated: 28 May 2025

National Insurance contributions if you're self-employed - rates and exceptions.

Records and paperwork you must keep if you're self-employed as a sole trader or partner in a business: income, costs, profit, how long to keep records.