Guides › Public Services › Registering as Self-Employed: When You Must Tell HMRC
Registering as Self-Employed: When You Must Tell HMRC
You must register with HMRC as a sole trader if you earn more than £1,000 from self-employment in a tax year (6 April to 5 April), or if you need to prove you are self-employed, for example for Tax-Free Childcare. If you need to file a return for the 2025 to 2026 tax year and have not before, tell HMRC by 5 October 2026. Registering also covers you for Class 2 National Insurance.
At A Glance
Your Rights
What the rules say, with a link to the official source for each.
Becoming A Sole Trader
When You Must Register
If you earn more than £1,000 from self-employment in a tax year, need to prove you are self-employed, or want to pay voluntary Class 2 National Insurance. source
Deadline
Tell HMRC by 5 October 2026 if you need to complete a tax return for the previous year and have not sent one before. source
National Insurance
Registering as a sole trader means you are registered for Class 2 National Insurance, which can help you qualify for the State Pension. If you are already in Self Assessment for another reason, you still need to register as a sole trader. source
Time Limits to Know
Miss a deadline and you can lose a right. Check the dates on your own paperwork.
- 5 OctoberRegisterAfter the tax year you started
Steps to Take
Step 1 of 5
Add up your self-employed income for the tax year.
Step 2 of 5
Register on GOV.UK if over £1,000.
Step 3 of 5
Keep records of income and expenses.
Step 4 of 5
Check whether Making Tax Digital applies.
Step 5 of 5
File and pay by 31 January.
(Tap the numbers to reveal steps)
Where to Go If It Is Not Put Right
Your options, in order, and when each one applies.
HMRC
Contact HMRC through your personal tax account, the HMRC app or the phone and post details on GOV.UK.
Free Tax Help
TaxAid and Tax Help for Older People give free advice if your income is low.
Good to Know
Small things that make your complaint stronger.
The £1,000 trading allowance means small amounts may not be taxable, but you may still need to register.
Want Help?
If you would like one of our team to look at your problem, our initial case review is free. We cannot guarantee any outcome and we do not give legal advice.
Lead reviewer
Luke Marley
Founder and Lead Reviewer
Luke founded CPUK in 2026 after seeing how hard it is for ordinary people to get problems with companies put right. He oversees our guides and checks them against official sources.
Research by Katie Burt, Co-founder and Operations Lead (17 years in the care sector, including managing services for vulnerable adults), and the CPUK Research Team. Researched with AI-assisted research tools, then checked and corrected by our team.
Last checked: 16 October 2026. We are not paid by the companies we write about. Adverts never affect our guidance. Read our editorial policy.
Sources and official links
- gov.uk/become-sole-trader/register-sole-trader Checked 16 October 2026