Simple business setup and tax guidance for first-time UK business owners
Built on HMRC guidance. Clear answers on structure, tax, and your first year - no jargon.
Example result
HMRC registration, expense claims, first-year tax rhythm - covered in your result.
Example result
Working alone, modest income, want simplest setup - sole trader is likely the better route.
What to do next
Free tool · takes about 2 minutes
Three free checks
Each takes about 2 minutes, no account needed. Work through them in order - structure first, then tax, then your first-year admin.
Structure Checker
Should you be a sole trader or limited company? Find out in 2 minutes.
Self Assessment Checker
Check whether Self Assessment is likely to apply to your situation.
First-Year Checklist
Get a practical admin checklist based on your business type.
Who this is for
Built for first-time UK business owners and people going self-employed for the first time.
Side hustlers and online sellers
Earning income alongside a day job and unsure about Self Assessment or business registration.
Freelancers going full-time
Moving from employment to self-employment and wanting to get your setup obligations right from the start.
New sole traders
Recently registered or about to register with HMRC and wanting to understand your first-year admin steps.
Simple limited company founders
Recently incorporated or planning to incorporate and wanting to understand director duties and compliance.
Already trading informally
Started earning without formally setting up and wanting to make sure the basics are covered.
Structure-uncertain beginners
Not sure whether sole trader or limited company is the better starting point for your situation.
Get the setup guide that matches your situation
Know your structure? Pick a Starter Pack. Still weighing up sole trader vs limited company? The Roadmap adapts to where you are.
Sole Trader Starter Pack
For the freelancer or self-employed professional - HMRC registration, expense claims, and the payments on account cycle that catches most first-timers off guard.
A clear setup guide for UK sole traders - HMRC registration, allowable expenses, bookkeeping routine, tax deadlines, payments on account, and first-year mistakes to avoid.
- HMRC Self Assessment registration - step by step
- Allowable expenses - what you can usually claim
- Simple bookkeeping routine from day one
- Tax deadlines and payments on account explained
- First-year mistakes and structure review triggers
Limited Company Starter Pack
Forming a company - how to pay yourself as a director, keep company money separate, and stay on top of your Companies House and HMRC obligations.
A practical guide to setting up and running a UK limited company - company formation, how to pay yourself as a director, salary vs dividends, Corporation Tax, PAYE, and your first-month action plan.
- Company formation and registration steps
- How to pay yourself - salary and dividends explained
- Corporation Tax and PAYE basics
- Director duties and compliance deadlines
- First-month action plan
Business Setup Roadmap
Not sure which structure fits, or already trading and worried you've missed something? An answer-led plan that changes based on your answers.
An answer-led business setup plan - adapts based on your structure, trading status, and situation. Covers sole trader, limited company, and undecided paths with a decision framework, registrations, admin steps, key deadlines, and common mistakes by structure.
- Answer-led - plan adapts to your structure and situation
- Sole trader, limited company, and undecided paths
- Decision framework for mixed-signal or undecided cases
- Already-trading urgency: flags deadlines you need to act on now
- Registration, admin, and deadline action plan
- Common first-year mistakes by structure
What First Business Steps provides
General information and practical self-serve guidance for UK beginners, built on HMRC and Companies House guidance.
- Plain-English explanations of common UK business setup steps
- Free self-serve checks for structure, Self Assessment, and first-year admin
- Practical setup guides covering key registrations, deadlines, and common mistakes
- General guidance - not connected to HMRC or Companies House
What it does not do
This is not a professional service and is not a substitute for professional advice.
- File your tax return or register you with HMRC
- Provide one-to-one accounting, tax, or legal advice
- Cover complex situations: employees, payroll, VAT, CIS, IR35, partnerships, or investment
- Review or assess your specific circumstances
- Confirm you are fully compliant
Common questions
Are the tools free?
Yes. The three checking tools - Structure Checker, Self Assessment Checker, and First-Year Checklist - are completely free. The setup guides (Starter Packs and Business Setup Roadmap) are one-time purchases.
Do I need an account?
No, not to use the free tools. You can run any of the three checks without creating an account. If you want to save your result, you can enter your email at the end of the tool.
Is this professional advice?
No. First Business Steps provides general guidance based on HMRC and Companies House guidance. It is not tax, legal, accounting, financial, or professional advice. If your situation is complex, speak to a qualified professional.
Who built this?
First Business Steps is built to help first-time UK business owners understand common setup steps in plain English. It is not affiliated with HMRC, Companies House, or any government body.
What if my situation is more complex?
This product is designed for straightforward sole trader and simple limited company situations. If you have employees, work through an umbrella company, have overseas income, face IR35 questions, or have complex tax affairs, speak to a qualified accountant.
Are the setup guides one-off purchases?
Yes. The Starter Packs and Business Setup Roadmap are one-time purchases with no subscription or recurring charges. Access is immediate after payment.
Your first answer is two minutes away.
The Structure Checker is the best starting point - free, built on HMRC guidance, and gives you a clear direction in five questions.
Start nowNo account needed · instant access