Started working for yourself? Once you earn more than £1,000 in a tax year, you need to tell HMRC.
How long have you got? Until 5 October after the end of the tax year you started. It's one step, and here's exactly how it works.
The deadline is 5 October after the end of the tax year in which you started. So if you began working for yourself during the year to 5 April 2026, you'd need to register by 5 October 2026. In practice, sooner is better — leaving it late is the most common way people trip up.
Registering as self-employed does two things at once: it puts you into Self Assessment (so you'll file a return), and it sets you up for National Insurance as a sole trader. You can register online through GOV.UK; you'll need basic details like your National Insurance number and the date you started trading.
As a self-employed person you may pay Class 4 National Insurance — 6% on profits between £12,570 and £50,270, and 2% above that. Class 2 National Insurance no longer has to be paid separately if your profits are above the small profits threshold, but you still build up your State Pension entitlement. It's all worked out through your tax return — nothing extra to set up.
Two habits make everything easier later: keep your business money separate where you can, and snap a photo of every receipt. Do that, and your first return is mostly a matter of adding it up — which is the part we take off your hands.
From registering to your first return, we handle the lot — from £25 a month.
Rob is a Certified Xero Advisor with a BSc from the University of Salford. This guide is general information, not personal tax advice. Rules and thresholds can change — always confirm the current position on GOV.UK or ask us to check your situation.