What you hand over
- A rough idea of what the business does and expects to earn
- Proposed company name, directors and shareholders
- Identity details for directors and people with significant control
- Your registered office address (ours or yours)
What we do
- Compare sole trader and limited company for your situation
- Form your limited company at Companies House
- Register you for Self Assessment, Corporation Tax, VAT and PAYE as needed
- Set up bookkeeping software from day one
- Explain what you'll need to file, and when
Sole trader or limited company?
Being a sole trader is simple and cheap to run, but you're personally liable for the business and pay Income Tax on all the profit. A limited company keeps the business separate from you and can be more tax-efficient once profits grow, but there's more administration and the company's accounts are public. We'll run the figures for your circumstances.
Registering as self-employed
If you start working for yourself, you need to register for Self Assessment by 5 October after the end of the tax year in which you started. Your first tax bill may include payments on account, so it's worth planning for it.
Forming a company
We can form the company for you, including the articles, shares and registered office. Directors and people with significant control now have to verify their identity with Companies House, and we'll walk you through it.
Key dates
- 5 October
Register for Self AssessmentAfter the tax year you started trading.
- Within 3 months of trading
Register company for Corporation TaxOnce the company starts business.
- When turnover passes the threshold
Register for VATRolling 12-month test.
Common questions
When should I switch from sole trader to limited company?
There's no single profit figure where it always makes sense. It depends on how much you take out, other income, plans for the business and risk. We'll compare the two for you.
Do I need an accountant to start?
You don't have to have one, but a conversation at the start often saves more than it costs, especially around registering on time and keeping proper records.
Tax information on this page reflects the rules as at November 2026. Rates, thresholds and dates change, so please talk to us before acting on it.