At the time of writing this post, the advice given here is correct to the best of our knowledge. However, you should call the HMRC Self Assessment Helpline for clarification should you have any concerns or questions. Their phone number is provided at the end of this post.
Here’s the specific process for registering with HMRC as a sole trader:
1. Go to www.gov.uk/register-for-self-assessment
2. Create a Government Gateway account if you don’t already have one:
- You’ll receive a User ID immediately
- Activation code will arrive by post within 10 working days
3. Once you have your Government Gateway access, you’ll need to provide:
- Your full name
- Date of birth
- Email address
- Current home address
- Phone number
- National Insurance number
- The date you started self-employment
- Nature of your business
4. After registration:
- HMRC will send you your 10-digit Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR)
- This typically arrives within 10 working days
- Keep this safe as you’ll need it for future tax returns
Important deadlines:
- You must register by October 5th in your business’s second tax year
- For example, if you started trading in June 2024, you’d need to register by October 5th, 2025
Need help during registration? You can call HMRC’s Self Assessment helpline on 0300 200 3310.
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