Seamless self-employed registration and tax setup. Start right with ACG.
Registering as Self-Employed in the UK – Complete Guide for New Sole Traders
Becoming self-employed in the UK opens the door to independence and opportunity — but it also comes with responsibilities. At Audit Consulting Group, we make it easy to register as self-employed, manage your tax obligations, and stay fully compliant with HMRC.
Whether you’re starting a freelance business, going solo as a contractor, or building a side hustle, our experts guide you through every step of the self-employed registration process.
What Does It Mean to Be Self-Employed?
Being self-employed means:
- You run your own business
- You’re not on PAYE payroll
- You’re responsible for reporting and paying your own tax
- You need to register for Self Assessment with HMRC
- You must keep records of income, expenses, and submit annual tax returns
You can be both employed and self-employed — for example, working part-time for a company and freelancing on the side. In either case, self-employment registration is still required.
Who Needs to Register as Self-Employed?
You need to register as self-employed in the UK if you:
- Work for yourself as a sole trader or freelancer
- Earn more than £1,000 from self-employment in a tax year
- Want to submit a Self Assessment tax return
- Work in the Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)
- Offer professional, digital, or manual services independently
When to Register
HMRC requires that you register for self-employment by 5 October following the end of the tax year when you began trading. Delays can lead to penalties.
Example: If you start working for yourself in June 2025, you must register by 5 October 2026.
How to Register as Self-Employed
We simplify the process of signing up as self-employed with HMRC. Here’s what’s involved:
- Create a Government Gateway account
- Submit the self-employed registration form online
- Receive your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)
- Activate Self Assessment
- Set up National Insurance contributions
We help with every step — from account creation to submitting the self-employed register form.
Documents You’ll Need
- National Insurance number
- Personal details (address, date of birth, etc.)
- Business description
- Start date of your self-employed work
- Email and phone contact
- Bank account details for tax payments
Registering as Both Employed and Self-Employed
Yes, it’s possible — and common. You can work a full-time job and still register as a sole trader. We help you:
- Register as self-employed and employed
- Track separate income streams
- Stay compliant with PAYE and Self Assessment
- Avoid double taxation
Register for Self-Employment Online – Fast and Easy
You can register as self-employed online using HMRC’s portal. But many individuals find it confusing or time-consuming.
Audit Consulting Group provides a simple, supported route:
- We complete the forms for you
- Track your registration status
- Liaise with HMRC if needed
- Get your UTR issued quickly
- Help you set up National Insurance Class 2 contributions
What Happens After You Register?
After successful registration:
- You’ll get your UTR within 10 days
- You’ll receive details about submitting your tax return
- You may need to pay National Insurance
- HMRC will expect your Self Assessment before the annual deadline (31 January)
Unregistering as Self-Employed
If you stop trading or go back to full employment, you’ll need to de-register as self-employed.
We handle:
- Informing HMRC
- Closing your Self Assessment
- Filing your final return
- Cancelling Class 2 NICs
Key Benefits of Registering with Our Help
- No form errors or rejections
- UTR issued quickly
- Full tax and NI setup
- Ongoing accounting support available
- Optional CIS registration for construction workers
- Free consultation before and after registration
Self-Employed Tax Obligations
As a self-employed individual, you must:
- Keep records of income and business expenses
- Submit a Self Assessment tax return annually
- Pay Income Tax and National Insurance on profits
- Possibly register for VAT (if turnover exceeds £90,000)
- Track deadlines and HMRC updates
We provide tax planning and bookkeeping to ensure you stay compliant — and pay no more than necessary.
Self-Employed Bookkeeping & Accounting
Need help beyond registration? We offer:
- Bookkeeping for freelancers and sole traders
- Help submitting your tax return
- Profit and loss statements
- VAT returns (if applicable)
- National Insurance Class 2 & 4 calculations
Who We Help
- Freelancers and gig workers
- Online sellers and ecommerce traders
- Creative professionals (designers, writers, musicians)
- Construction and CIS workers
- Coaches, consultants, and tutors
- Part-time self-employed workers
- Digital marketers and influencers
Case Study: Side Hustler Goes Pro
Emma, a graphic designer in Bristol, was working full-time while earning £8,000/year on Fiverr. Unsure whether to register, she contacted us.
We helped her:
- Register as both employed and self-employed
- Track side income
- Claim allowable expenses
- File her first tax return accurately
She saved over £600 in tax thanks to early planning.
Case Study: CIS Contractor Registration
James, a tradesman, needed to register for CIS and self-employment quickly to start a new contract.
We submitted all HMRC forms on his behalf, secured his UTR in under 2 weeks, and provided software to track invoices.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How do I register as self-employed in the UK?
You can apply online through HMRC, or we can register you directly, ensuring accuracy and speed.
What is the deadline for registration?
By 5 October after the end of the tax year you started trading.
What is a UTR number and how do I get it?
A Unique Taxpayer Reference is a 10-digit code sent by HMRC after registration. It’s needed to file tax returns.
Can I be self-employed and employed?
Yes, and we help you register for both properly and manage your taxes.
Do I need to register if I only made a small income?
You must register if you earn more than £1,000 from self-employment in a year.
Can I unregister from self-employment?
Yes, we can help de-register as self-employed online and close your tax account.
What if I made a mistake during registration?
Contact us or HMRC directly to update your information. We help clients correct common errors.
Can I register as self-employed for tax only?
Yes — you register for Self Assessment with HMRC, which is how you declare and pay tax on self-employed income.
Is there a form I can fill to register?
Yes, there is a self-employed registration form online. We can handle this for you or guide you through each step.
Client Testimonials
“I had no idea how to get started. Audit Consulting Group made it easy to register as a self-employed designer, and their tax support has been amazing.”
— Lisa B., Nottingham
“I needed to sign up as self-employed quickly for a new contract. They had me ready to go in 48 hours.”
— Trevor H., Birmingham
“I’m both employed and freelance. Their guidance helped me stay compliant — and I saved over £1,000 in taxes.”
— Anthony R., London
Why Choose Audit Consulting Group
- Quick, hassle-free HMRC registration
- No hidden charges
- Friendly UK-based experts
- Support available year-round
- Help with tax returns, VAT, and de-registration
Pricing – Self-Employed Registration Packages
✔ Self-employment registration with HMRC
✔ UTR and NI setup
✔ Government Gateway account creation
✔ Guidance on expenses and tax
✔ Optional Self Assessment support
From just £99 + VAT
Ready to Register as Self-Employed?
Don’t stress over forms or tax. Let our expert team guide you.
📞 Book a free call
📧 Email your business details
💬 Live chat with a tax expert
🌐 Submit our quick-start registration form
Whether you’re starting a small freelance venture or switching from employment, we make self-employed registration in the UK easy, accurate, and fast.
Audit Consulting Group – Trusted by UK Self-Employed Professionals
Grow confidently. We’re with you from day one.
Ready to register with confidence and peace of mind? Get in touch today, and let’s make your self-employment journey smooth, compliant, and successful.
