Navigate UK Tax & Compliance with Confidence.
Gain complete control over your UK tax obligations. Our plain-English guides cover every critical deadline, from your initial £1,000 trading allowance to navigating the £90k VAT threshold. Leverage our legal checklist navigator for comprehensive compliance and peace of mind.
The Self Assessment checklist: everything to file before 31 Jan
Avoid the £100 late filing penalty with this end-to-end walkthrough for first-time filers.
More in Tax & HMRC
47 allowable expenses you can claim as a UK sole trader
From home-office costs to mileage — what's actually deductible, with examples.
Priya Aldridge
11 Apr 2026
Crossing the £90k VAT threshold: what happens next
The 30-day rule, the Flat Rate Scheme, and how to price after you register.
Startup Edit Team
04 Apr 2026
Payment on Account: why your second tax bill is bigger than your first
The 50% rule that catches every first-time filer in their second year — with a worked example.
Marcus Thorne
20 Apr 2026
Making Tax Digital for sole traders: what changes in April 2026
Quarterly digital updates, who's in scope at £50k vs £30k, and the software you'll need.
Priya Aldridge
14 Apr 2026
IR35 in plain English: are you actually inside or outside?
The three tests HMRC applies, what changed in 2021 for medium/large clients, and how to protect yourself.
Chloe Simms
08 Apr 2026
Your UK tax code explained: 1257L, BR, K and the rest
Why a wrong tax code can quietly cost you £500 a year — and how to check yours in 30 seconds.
Chloe Simms
15 May 2026
Dividend tax 2026/27: how Ltd directors actually pay themselves
£500 dividend allowance, 8.75%/33.75%/39.35% bands — with a worked example for a £60k take-home.
Marcus Thorne
13 May 2026
Filing CT600: the Corporation Tax return for first-time directors
What HMRC actually wants, when it's due (9 months + 1 day after year-end), and the £100 penalty trap.
Priya Aldridge
11 May 2026
The £3,000 Capital Gains allowance: how founders quietly lose it
Sold shares, crypto, or a second property? Here's how the £3k allowance works in 2026/27.
Startup Edit Team
09 May 2026
Mileage claims for sole traders: 45p/25p, apps, and audit-proof logs
What HMRC accepts as a mileage log — and the three apps that automate it without draining your battery.
Chloe Simms
07 May 2026
Working from home: claim £312 a year with no receipts
The simplified expenses route vs the 'actual %' method — and which one wins for most home-based founders.
Marcus Thorne
05 May 2026
Becoming a PAYE employer: registering with HMRC in 10 steps
Even paying yourself a Ltd salary needs PAYE. The setup, the software (BrightPay is free), and the deadlines.
Priya Aldridge
03 May 2026
Class 2 vs Class 4 NI for the self-employed (2025/26)
Class 2 was abolished for most — but Class 4 still costs 6% over £12,570. The new rules, explained.
Startup Edit Team
01 May 2026
Reclaiming VAT on startup costs (up to 4 years back)
Once VAT-registered, you can reclaim VAT on goods bought up to 4 years before — and services up to 6 months. The rules.
Marcus Thorne
29 Apr 2026
Side hustle on Universal Credit: the Minimum Income Floor trap
After 12 months HMRC assumes you earn at least £1,400/mo — even if you don't. Plan around it.
Priya Aldridge
26 Apr 2026
Tax-Free Childcare for self-employed parents: claim £2,000/year
How sole traders qualify, what counts as 'earning enough', and the 90-day reconfirmation trap.
Chloe Simms
23 Apr 2026
Closing your business cleanly: tax, VAT and the £25k strike-off rule
Closing a Ltd with under £25k? You can strike off and pay Capital Gains, not dividend tax. Huge difference.
Startup Edit Team
21 Apr 2026
The 'First-Time' VAT guide: When to register and how it works
You don't need £90k to register. Learn when voluntary registration saves you money on startup costs.
Priya Aldridge
20 May 2026
HMRC Allowable Expenses: The 'Working from Home' deep dive
How much of your rent, council tax, and electricity can you actually claim? Two methods explained.
Priya Aldridge
20 May 2026
Filing your first Companies House Confirmation Statement
It's not a tax return, but it's mandatory. The 5-minute filing walkthrough for Ltd company directors.
Chloe Simms
20 May 2026
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