How long do I have to register as self employed?

You must register as self employed with HMRC within 3 months of starting self-employed work. Missing this deadline can result in penalties of £100 or more.

What documents do I need to register as self employed?

You need your National Insurance number, business start date, details of your business activity, and access to create a Government Gateway account with HMRC.

Is there a cost to register as self employed?

No, registering as self employed with HMRC is completely free. Be wary of third-party websites that charge fees for this service.

What happens after I register as self employed?

HMRC will send you a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number and information about filing your first self assessment tax return. You'll need to file annually by 31st January.

Can I register as self employed if I'm already employed?

Yes, you can be both employed and self employed simultaneously. You'll need to register for self employment and manage both income sources on your tax return.

Do I need to register for VAT when becoming self employed?

VAT registration is only required if your annual turnover exceeds £90,000. Below this threshold, VAT registration is optional but may be beneficial for your business.

GoForma: Self Employed Registration Guide

What's inside the guide?

What is a sole trader
Sole trader advantages
Sole trader disadvantages
How to register self employed
Sole trader responsibilities
Self employed tax

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Self Employed Tax Calculator: Calculate your income and tax

Calculators Self Employed Tax and Take Home Pay Calculator

Our self employed tax calculator helps you quickly estimate your income tax, National Insurance, and take-home pay for the current tax year. Simply enter your annual earnings to calculate your HMRC tax liability, including Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance contributions, giving you an accurate projection of your net income after all deductions.

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