Expert guides on tax, bookkeeping, and running your business in the UK.
Plain English. No jargon. Everything you need to stay compliant and keep more of what you earn.
10 Tax Deadlines Every UK Sole Trader Must Know in 2026/27
Every key HMRC deadline for UK sole traders in the 2026/27 tax year, from MTD quarterly submissions to Self Assessment. Never miss a date again.
Key deadlines 2026/27
Business Operations
10 Tax Deadlines Every UK Sole Trader Must Know in 2026/27
Every key HMRC deadline for UK sole traders in the 2026/27 tax year, from MTD quarterly submissions to Self Assessment. Never miss a date again.
Business Operations
Do You Need an Accountant as a Sole Trader? (Honest Answer)
Sole traders pay £300-£1,000/year for accountants. But do you actually need one? Here's an honest breakdown of when it's worth it and when it's not.
Business Operations
Cash Flow Management for Sole Traders: How to Never Get Caught Short
Cash flow problems kill profitable businesses. Learn how to manage money as a sole trader, set aside tax, and stop living invoice to invoice.
Business Operations
How to Invoice as a Sole Trader: What to Include (With Template)
Everything you need on a sole trader invoice, from legal requirements to payment terms. Plus a free template and tips for chasing late payments.
Business Operations
50 Business Name Ideas for UK Sole Traders (By Industry)
Need a business name? Here are 50 ideas across 5 industries, plus how to check availability and register your trading name as a UK sole trader.
Product
Accounted vs Xero vs QuickBooks: Which Is Best for UK Sole Traders?
We compare Accounted, Xero, and QuickBooks on price, features, and ease of use for UK sole traders in 2026.
Product
What Is Confidence Scoring and Why Your Bookkeeping App Needs It
Most bookkeeping apps auto-categorise and hope for the best. Confidence scoring tells you exactly how sure the AI is.
Product
Why Penny Lives in Your Messages (And Why It Matters)
The average person checks their messages 23 times a day. We thought: why not do your bookkeeping there too?
Product
Can AI Really Do Your Bookkeeping? We Built One to Find Out
AI is transforming bookkeeping, but can it actually replace a human? We built Penny to answer that question honestly.
Industry Guides
Tax Guide for Personal Chefs and Private Cooks
Tax guide for personal chefs and private cooks covering food costs, equipment, travel, insurance, DBS checks, and declaring tips.
Industry Guides
How to Start a Beauty or Hair Business in the UK
How to start a beauty or hair business in the UK — mobile vs salon, chair rental tax rules, managing tips, allowable expenses, and simple bookkeeping tips.
Industry Guides
How to Start a Photography Business in the UK
Starting a photography business in the UK? Here's what you need to know about equipment expenses, capital allowances, insurance, and bookkeeping for photographers.
Tax Planning
Tax-Efficient Pension Withdrawal Strategies for Self-Employed
How to withdraw from your pension tax-efficiently, including the 25% tax-free lump sum, drawdown, and managing your tax band.
Industry Guides
How to Start a Tutoring Business in the UK
How to start a tutoring business in the UK — DBS checks, VAT exemptions, allowable expenses, setting rates, and keeping your tax affairs simple.
Industry Guides
How to Start a Dog Walking or Pet Care Business in the UK
A practical guide to starting a dog walking or pet care business in the UK — licences, insurance, expenses, mileage claims, and simple bookkeeping tips.
Industry Guides
How to Start a Personal Training Business in the UK
Everything you need to start a personal training business in the UK — qualifications, insurance, expenses you can claim, and how to manage your money.
Industry Guides
How to Start an Online Shop in the UK: Tax and Bookkeeping Guide
Selling online? Here's when it becomes a business, what expenses you can claim, how VAT works, and how to keep your bookkeeping under control from day one.
Industry Guides
How to Start a Trades Business in the UK (Plumber, Electrician, Builder)
A practical guide to starting a trades business in the UK — covering qualifications, CIS, van expenses, mileage tracking, insurance, and keeping HMRC happy.
Industry Guides
Tax Guide for Mobile Mechanics and Vehicle Technicians
Tax guide for mobile mechanics covering van costs, tools, parts, CIS implications, and travel between jobs.
Industry Guides
ATED: Annual Tax on Enveloped Dwellings Explained
ATED explained: when it applies, the rates by property value, available reliefs, and filing deadlines for enveloped dwellings.
Industry Guides
How to Start a Freelance Business in the UK
Everything you need to go freelance in the UK — from HMRC registration and setting rates to invoicing, IR35, and managing your tax as a sole trader.
Software Comparisons
Accounted vs Countingup: The Full Comparison
Countingup combines a business bank account with automated bookkeeping. Accounted uses AI and WhatsApp for hands-free bookkeeping. Here is a thorough comparison for UK sole traders.
Software Comparisons
Accounted vs FreeAgent: Which Is Better for Sole Traders
An honest comparison of Accounted and FreeAgent for UK sole traders. We look at pricing, features, MTD compliance, and which platform genuinely saves you more time on your bookkeeping.
Software Comparisons
Accounted vs Mettle: Business Banking and Bookkeeping
Mettle offers free business banking with basic bookkeeping tools. Accounted offers AI-powered bookkeeping for sole traders. We compare both to help you decide which suits your needs.
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