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Your first year as self-employed in the UK, made simpler.

Use this page to understand common first steps, what may matter most in year one, and the next useful action based on your current answers.

SelfYear • First-step check

What may be worth checking next?

Answer a few practical questions. This is a practical guide, not a legal decision.

Income type ?

This helps frame the next step around your current situation.

I'm already earning from self-employment

I've already registered with HMRC

I expect to earn more than £1,000 this tax year

Your current starting point

A practical prompt based on your answers.

Starting point

Suggested direction You may not need to register yet, but you should know what to track. If this is still early or occasional side income, start with simple records and revisit registration once income becomes clearer.

Next action Keep a simple list of income and costs.

Next action Use the registration checker when expected income is clearer.

Next action Come back to the first-year checklist before you start earning regularly.

This is a first-step guide based on your answers. It is not legal, tax, or accounting advice, and it is not an official HMRC answer.

Useful places to go next

Use a public tool for a clearer check, or create a dashboard when you want to save your progress.

Check registration Create dashboard

Your first year

What usually happens next.

Start earning

Know when self-employed income starts and keep a note of dates and sources.

Keep records

Track income, expenses, receipts, invoices, and useful notes from day one.

Review registration

Check whether registration may be relevant once income and your situation are clearer.

Set aside money for tax

Build a simple habit so your first bill feels easier to prepare for.

Review useful dates

Keep an eye on tax-year and reporting dates that may apply.

Prepare for year-end

Check records and saved estimates before reporting.

Common first questions

Start with the question that is blocking you.

Do I need to register yet? Use the registration checker as a practical starting point. What records should I keep? See what to track for income, expenses, and year-end review. How much tax should I save? Use a rough set-aside estimate as a planning guide. Do I need MTD? Check whether Making Tax Digital may matter now or later.

Save your progress

Create your first-year dashboard.

Track your tax-year profile, income, expenses, reminders, steps, and saved tool results in one place. Results depend on the information you enter.

Open dashboard Back to overview