Accountants for Sole Traders and the Self-Employed
Spend your time on your business, not your books. We'll match you with a local accountant who works with sole traders every day and keeps your tax bill as low as the rules allow.
How an accountant helps sole traders
- Year-end accounts and your tax return: your profit worked out properly and your Self Assessment filed on time
- Allowable expenses: making sure you claim everything you're entitled to, from tools and mileage to use of home
- Payments on account: checking they're right, and reducing them if your profits are falling
- Making Tax Digital: setting up software and sending your quarterly updates if MTD applies to you
- Planning ahead: telling you what to put aside for tax, and when it might be worth becoming a limited company
Find a sole trader accountant near you
Free, no obligation, and it takes about two minutes.
Making Tax Digital for sole traders
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax started on 6 April 2026 for sole traders and landlords with qualifying income over £50,000. It extends to income over £30,000 from April 2027 and over £20,000 from April 2028. Qualifying income is your turnover from self-employment and property combined, before expenses.
If you're caught by it, you'll need to keep digital records and send HMRC an update every quarter. An accountant can choose the right software, keep your records straight and send the updates for you.
Should I become a limited company?
Once your profits reach a certain level, running your business through a limited company can save tax, but it also brings more paperwork, director's responsibilities and higher accountancy fees. The tipping point depends on your profits, how much you take out and your plans. An accountant can run the numbers for your situation rather than relying on a rule of thumb.
Sole Trader questions
Do sole traders need an accountant?
There's no legal requirement, and plenty of sole traders do their own returns. Most find an accountant pays for themselves through expenses they'd have missed, fewer mistakes and less time spent on tax.
How much does a sole trader accountant cost?
As a rough guide, annual accounts and a tax return for a sole trader cost from around £300 to £900 a year. Bookkeeping or Making Tax Digital quarterly updates add to that. Many accountants offer a fixed monthly fee.
What expenses can a sole trader claim?
Costs incurred wholly and exclusively for your business, such as materials, tools, business travel and vehicle costs, phone and internet, insurance, advertising, professional fees and a share of household bills if you work from home. Your accountant will tell you what applies to your trade.
Tell us what you need
Answer a few quick questions and we'll pass your enquiry to a local accountancy firm that covers your area. It's free and there's no obligation.
- Usually a reply within one working day
- One local firm, not a flood of calls
- You decide whether to go ahead
Other ways an accountant can help
Self Assessment tax returns
Get your tax return done right and on time, with every allowance and expense claimed.
Limited company accountants
Year-end accounts, corporation tax, director pay planning and Companies House filings.
VAT returns
VAT registration, the right VAT scheme and quarterly returns filed through Making Tax Digital.
Making Tax Digital
Software, digital records and quarterly updates sorted for sole traders and landlords.
Landlord accountants
Rental income, mortgage interest, Capital Gains Tax and property company advice.