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Popular FAQs

Still have questions? Here are the answers to some of the most common questions people ask about Sole Traders

Is self-employed the same as sole trader?

Sole Traders are always self-employed. But not all self-employed people are necessarily Sole Traders, although it is by far the most common company structure for self-employed people.

Being self-employed means that you don’t get paid by PAYE, and actually take your income through self-assessment.

A Sole Trader is the company structure used when you and your business are considered the same entity for legal and financial purposes.

So, technically you can be self-employed and run a Limited Company or a Partnership, but most self employed people are also Sole Traders.

Can I be a Sole Trader and self-employed at the same time?

All Sole Traders are self-employed, so it’s absolutely possible to be both at the same time. You can also be in different types of employment or self-employment at once.

So if you are a salaried employee, but also have a sole trader business, you can be both employed and self-employed at the same time - you just need to make sure you’re including it all in your self-assessment!

Should I register a Sole Trader?

If you are the only person running your business, you are happy to be personally responsible for your business debts and liability and you don’t want the hassle of extra paperwork and regulations then this could be the best choice for you.

There are no age restrictions for Sole Traders, but if you have previously been declared bankrupt you may need to get permission from the courts to set up your business.

What info do I need to register?

To register your Sole Trader business you will need to provide the following details:

• Your full name
• Your current address
• Your National Insurance Number
• Your date of birth
• Your phone number
• Your email address
• The date that your self-employment began
• The type of business you're starting
• The address of your business
• The phone number for your business

You will not need to provide any proof of ID.

Do I need a bank account?

Sole Traders don’t need to have a separate bank account, as your business earnings are considered your own personal income.

However, things can quickly get complicated if you’re running your personal and business finances from the same account, so we highly recommend setting up a separate account for the business.

If you register with Duport, you can get a free business account as part of the process.

Will I need to do annual filing/paperwork?

Sole Traders have a lot less paperwork to complete than Limited Companies, but you will need to complete your Self Assessment Tax Return each year.

If you don’t want the hassle of doing your own bookkeeping and accounts, Duport can handle it all for you with our Sole Trader Tax Return service.

How can I protect my business name?

When you register as a Sole Trader, you don’t automatically get any protection for their business name.

However, Duport have a Protected Name package for Sole Traders that means your business name is also registered at Companies House, to prevent anyone else trading under it.

Can I register from outside the UK?

Yes, you do not need to be in the UK in order to register as a Sole Trader.

Can I cancel my order?

You can cancel your order at any point. Refunds will only be issued if you have not accessed any of your purchased services.

Your right to a refund is waived if:

• Your registration has been submitted to HMRC
• OR
• You have requested or viewed any digital ebooks or reports included in your purchase

Do I need to renew this service?

Your initial registration is a one-off service. However your package may include services that do need to be renewed annually. These can include:

• Business name protection
• Domain & hosting services
• Accountancy services

What is a UTR?

Your Unique Taxpayer Reference or UTR is the number that HMRC uses to identify you as a self-employed person. It’s what you will need to use to submit your Self Assessment Tax Return.

Who is the Protected Sole Trader service for?

• Anyone who wants to register their sole trader business quickly, without any hassle and receive all our ongoing support and guidance and access to services that support your business.
• Anyone whose business name is important to them and would like to prevent any other person from registering it.
• Anyone who would like to register as a Sole Trader for now but intends to grow their business and require a LTD structure in the future.

Who is the Sole Trader service not suitable for?

Our Sole Trader packages aren’t suitable for you if:

• You have already registered your business at HMRC and do not want to protect your company name.
• You want to reserve your business name at Companies House but would like your details as the director. In this instance we recommend that you register a Limited Company instead. If you register with Duport we can still complete all your filing for you if you opt to use our filing service for 59.99 per annum.
• You plan to start trading as a LTD company in the next few months (in which case we recommend registering as a LTD now).
• You are not worried about someone else trading using your business name and you are happy to register directly with HMRC yourself.
• You do not require our start up support and do not want to receive your industry guide.
• You want to reserve your business name but want the company to be registered in Scotland.