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Sole Trader · Full service

Start Sole Trader — full-service accounting for active sole traders

A dedicated ACCA-qualified accountant, unlimited support, annual Self Assessment, FreeAgent accounting software, and WhatsApp support — all for one rolling monthly fee. Built for freelancers, consultants and tradespeople running as sole traders.

ACCA & AAT qualified accountants
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Rolling monthly cancel anytime

A complete accounting service, one monthly fee.

Start Sole Trader covers everything you need to stay compliant — no hourly billing, no surprise invoices, no upsells for the essentials.

Dedicated personal accountant
A named ACCA or AAT qualified accountant who knows your business — not a ticket queue.
Unlimited bookable support
Book calls whenever you need them. No per-minute billing, no clock-watching.
Annual Self Assessment
Your personal SA return prepared, reviewed with you, and filed with HMRC on time.
FreeAgent software included
A premium FreeAgent licence free — invoicing, expenses, mileage tracking and tax timelines.
WhatsApp support
Quick questions answered on WhatsApp — no ticket threads, no long waits.
Expense & tax planning review
Quarterly check-in on expenses, income, and planning opportunities to reduce your tax bill legitimately.
Deadline reminders
We track every HMRC deadline and chase proactively so you never miss a filing.
Partner insurance discount
Preferential rates on Professional Indemnity, Public Liability and contractor insurance.
Not included in Start Sole Trader
If you need any of these, you can add them as a one-off, as a monthly add-on, or upgrade to a higher-tier package where they're included by default.
  • VAT returns & registration
    Use SVT (Start Sole Trader + VAT) if you're VAT-registered.
  • MTD for Income Tax
    Required from April 2026 if qualifying income over £30k. Use SMT package.
  • Incorporation to limited company
    When ready to go Ltd, we'll handle incorporation (£158 one-off) and switch you to a Ltd package.
  • Payroll for employees
    If you take on employees, talk to us about moving to a Ltd structure.

Add only what you actually need.

Add any of these to your monthly bill in one click. Add-ons are adjusted on your subscription directly — no new sign-up, no new contract.

VAT registration & returns
Full VAT setup and quarterly returns if you cross the threshold.
£24 per month
MTD for Income Tax
Quarterly MTD submissions from April 2026.
£24 per month
Company incorporation
When you're ready to move to a limited company.
£158 one-off

From sign-up to fully onboarded in under a week.

Here's exactly what happens after you sign up. Your dedicated accountant walks you through each step — no forms to figure out alone.

1
Book your welcome call
A 30-minute intro with your dedicated accountant to understand your business and set up the engagement.
2
Personal & business details
We collect your UTR, NI number, business trading name, and contact details.
3
FreeAgent software set up
Your free FreeAgent premium licence is provisioned and connected to bank feeds.
4
Identity verification
Upload photo ID and proof of address — required by UK AML regulations.
5
Previous accountant handover
If switching, we handle professional clearance and record transfer. You don't chase anything.
6
Tax timeline set up
We map out your key deadlines in FreeAgent and schedule quarterly check-ins.

Built for active sole traders and freelancers

Start Sole Trader is designed for active self-employed people — freelancers, consultants, tradespeople, contractors — who want a dedicated accountant handling their tax affairs and year-round support for the price of a high-street annual return.

A great fit if you're…
  • Freelance designers, developers, writers, consultants
  • Tradespeople running as sole traders
  • Self-employed photographers, coaches, therapists
  • Contractors not yet ready for a limited company
Not the right fit if…
  • Side-hustles earning under £5k — use Lite Sole Trader
  • You're VAT-registered — use SVT (+VAT) package
  • Your qualifying income is over £30k — you'll need SMT (+MTD) from April 2026
  • You're running a limited company — see Ltd packages

Not sure if this is the right package?

Take our 2-minute quote tool — answer a few questions about your business and we'll recommend the right package with a personalised price.

Get a free quote
Need more? Upgrade to Start Sole Trader + VAT

Start Sole Trader + VAT — for when you need the extras.

Start Sole Trader with VAT returns. For VAT-registered sole traders or those approaching the £90k threshold.

From £34/mo intro · then £68/mo
See Start Sole Trader + VAT

Answers to the common questions.

Anything else? Your dedicated accountant will answer on your welcome call — or WhatsApp us before you sign up.

How does the discount work?
The intro offer is applied automatically at checkout. Discounted rate for the stated intro period, then standard monthly. Cancel any time — rolling monthly, no lock-in.
Can I switch from my current accountant?
Yes — switching is free and we handle the handover. Most switches complete within 2–3 weeks.
What happens if I cross the VAT threshold?
Add the VAT returns add-on (£24/mo) any time, or upgrade to SVT (Start Sole Trader + VAT) where VAT is built in. We'll flag it in your quarterly review so you're never caught off guard.
Do I need MTD for Income Tax?
If your qualifying self-employment or property income is over £30k, yes — from April 2026. Add the £24/mo MTD add-on or upgrade to SMT package which includes it.
Should I go limited instead?
If your profits are over about £30k/year and you're comfortable with more admin, a limited company can save tax. Your accountant will review this on your annual call — we can incorporate you for £158 and move you to a Ltd package.
What payment methods do you accept?
Cards via Outseta checkout. Direct Debit available after 3 months.
Is my data secure?
Yes. ICO-registered, UK-based, encrypted, GDPR-compliant.
Are your accountants qualified?
Every accountant is ACCA or AAT qualified. £2m PII.
What accounting software do you use?
FreeAgent premium included free. Xero supported if you already use it.
How soon can I get started?
Within 48 hours your welcome call is booked and FreeAgent is ready. Full onboarding usually 5–7 working days.
Rolling monthly — 30 days' notice to cancel
No fixed-term contract. Cancel any time with 30 days' written notice.
Fair use on support
Unlimited bookable support covers business-hours queries. Out-of-hours or specialist advisory (property tax, investment planning, etc.) may be quoted separately.
Data protection & GDPR
UK-based infrastructure, ICO-registered, GDPR-compliant. Privacy policy at goforma.com/privacy.
Professional indemnity insurance
GoForma carries £2m PII. All accountants are ACCA or AAT qualified.
Late payment
If your subscription lapses for more than 14 days, in-progress filings may be paused until billing is reinstated.

Start your first month for just £22.

Full-service accounting for self-employed individuals not yet VAT registered. Dedicated accountant, unlimited support, Self Assessment, and FreeAgent included.