How to register as self-employed (2026 update)

If you’ve decided to take the leap and start working for yourself, you’re at the beginning of an exciting journey. But before you get stuck in, you need to register as self-employed first.

Our guide on how to register as self-employed will show you how, step-by-step. 

Register as self-employed in three steps

We’ll take you through the process in depth, but here’s a quick overview of how to register:

1. Check your work counts as self-employment
2. Get a Government Gateway user ID and password on Gov.uk
3. Log in and register for Self Assessment

Once registered, you’ll have a few jobs to do, like sending an annual Self Assessment tax return.

Do I need to register as self-employed?

If you work for yourself, you have to register with HMRC to pay your tax. But how do you know if you classify as self-employed?

Note: You have a tax-free trading allowance of £1,000. If your total income from self-employment (before expenses) is less than £1,000 in a tax year, you usually don’t need to register or pay tax on it.

If you earn more than this and meet the criteria above, you probably need to register. HMRC explains more about what being self-employed means on their website.

How do I register as self-employed?

Registering is simple. Head to the government’s online registration portal to get started.

If you haven’t used these online government services before, you’ll need to create a Government Gateway account. Once you have a user ID and password, you can sign in and register for self assessment.

You’ll need to give some details, including:

• the date you started your business
• your National Insurance number and home address
• information about the job you do

After you register, HMRC will send a letter with your 10-digit Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR). You need this number to file your tax returns, so keep it safe.

This process usually takes around 10 days (or 15 working days if you’re abroad). You can check when you can expect a reply on the website or by calling HMRC.

If you’ve filed a return before

If you’ve registered as self-employed before, you don’t need to register again. You can simply reactivate your existing account using your old UTR.

How to register a business name

You’ll also need to decide on a name for your business. Many people trade under their own name, but you could pick one that helps make you stand out.

If you choose a trading name, check that no other businesses are using it. This helps avoid confusion and copyright infringement.

When do I need to register as self-employed?

According to HMRC, you should register as soon as you start trading. However, there’s a deadline. You must register by 5 October after the end of the tax year in which you started your business.

For example, if you started your business in July 2025, you need to register with HMRC by 5 October 2026.

Ideally, don’t leave it this late. If you miss the deadline, you could face penalties.

Do I need to register as a sole trader?

Being self-employed doesn’t necessarily mean that you’re a sole trader. If you work for yourself, on your own, you’re probably a sole trader.

However, if you’re in a business partnership, you need to register as a partner, not a sole trader. You can read more about registering as a partner here.

If you’re not sure, our guide on the differences between two can help.

What if I have a limited company?

If you set up a limited company, things are a bit more complex. You’re the owner of a company, as well as its employee. Your tax and National Insurance will work differently. Our guide to setting up a limited company covers the details.

Responsibilities once you’re self-employed

Once registered, you have to stay on top of your admin.

Most importantly, you must keep accurate records of sales and business expenses. Keeping bank statements and receipts organised will make filing your tax return much easier.

Self-employed tax responsibilities

By 31 January every year, you must file your Self Assessment tax return online.

You’ll usually make payments to HMRC on 31 January and 31 July.

As well as income tax, you’ll pay Class 4 National Insurance contributions if your profits are over a certain amount (£12,570 for the current tax year).

Be aware of Making Tax Digital (MTD)

The government is introducing Making Tax Digital (MTD) for Income Tax, which will change how you report your earnings. Instead of one annual tax return, you’ll keep digital records and send quarterly tax updates, as well as one final return and payment, to HMRC using compatible software.

If your qualifying income is more than £50,000, you’ll need to sign up for MTD from 6 April 2026.

If your qualifying income is more than £30,000, you’ll need to sign up from 6 April 2027.

It’s a good idea to start keeping digital records now so you’re ready when the rules change.

How to stop being self-employed

If you stop working for yourself, you must tell HMRC as soon as possible. If you don’t, they’ll still be expected to complete tax returns and you might get fined for not completing them.

You’ll need to file a final tax return and confirm you’ve stopped trading. Make sure you have your UTR and National Insurance number ready when you contact them.

Useful guides for small business owners

• How to start a business from scratch
• What can I claim as self-employed tax deductible expenses?
• Self-employed business ideas in the UK
• Learn more about insurance for the self-employed