HMRC & tax
Registering as self-employed with HMRC
The steps to get set up as a sole trader, and the deadlines you must not miss.
Do you need to register?
If you earn more than £1,000 in a tax year from self-employed work, you need to register with HMRC for Self Assessment.
Register as soon as you start working for yourself. The latest you can register is 5 October after the end of the tax year in which you started.
How to register
Go to GOV.UK and search 'register for Self Assessment'. You will need your National Insurance number, address and the date you started.
HMRC will post you a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR). Keep it safe — you need it for every tax return, and some clients will ask for it.
Key dates
Tax year: 6 April to 5 April.
Online tax return and payment due: 31 January after the tax year ends.
Payments on account (if your bill is over £1,000): 31 January and 31 July.
General information only — rates and rules change. Check GOV.UK or speak to an accountant for your situation.