For Sole Traders & Self Employed
Fixed Fee Accountant for Sole Traders & Self Employed
Straightforward accounting for sole traders: Self Assessment tax returns, bookkeeping and Making Tax Digital support, from £20 a month with no year end surprises.
Whether you’re a freelancer, contractor or running a small trading business, we take the stress out of Self Assessment. We tell you well in advance what tax you’ll owe, keep your bookkeeping up to date, and get you set up on Making Tax Digital software ahead of your mandate date, all for one fixed monthly fee with no hidden extras.
How We Help
Accounting & tax services for sole traders
Self Assessment Tax Returns
Accurate, on time tax returns covering your self employment income, allowable expenses and any reliefs you are entitled to.
Bookkeeping & Software Setup
Simple cloud software (or a spreadsheet, if you prefer) to record your income and expenses as you go, not in a panic every January.
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
Getting you set up with compliant software ahead of your MTD start date, plus support with quarterly submissions.
Tax Planning & Allowable Expenses
Clear advice on what you can claim and how to structure your affairs to keep more of what you earn.
VAT Registration & Returns
Advice on when you need to register for VAT, and ongoing returns if your turnover crosses the threshold.
Should You Incorporate?
Straightforward advice on whether moving to a limited company would save you tax as your income grows.
Sole Trader Tax Planning
What matters most for sole traders right now
What counts as self employment income
Self employment income includes everything you’re paid for goods or services, including cash payments and anything taken as goods or services in lieu of payment. You need to keep records of all business income and expenses for at least 5 years after the 31 January deadline.
Allowable expenses you can claim
You can deduct costs incurred wholly and exclusively for your business, including materials, travel, a proportion of home working costs, and accountancy fees. Keeping receipts and a simple log as you go makes claiming these far less stressful at year end.
Sole trader or limited company?
As profits grow, incorporating can reduce your overall tax bill, but it comes with extra compliance and reporting. We model both scenarios with your actual numbers so you can see whether, and when, switching makes sense.
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax
MTD for Income Tax is being phased in from April 2026 for sole traders with qualifying income over £50,000, dropping to £30,000 from 2027 and £20,000 from 2028. We help clients move onto compliant software well ahead of their start date.
Our Fees
Sole trader pricing
Transparent, fixed fee pricing, paid monthly or as one annual payment. Get in touch for a tailored quote.
Sole Trader
Self employed individuals & freelancers
- Summary trading annual accounts
- Self Assessment tax return
- Tax planning and advice
- Accountancy and tax query support
- Software to record your income and expenses
Additional services
Email us: enquiries@onlineaccountingservices.co.uk
All fees are guide prices. Your exact fee depends on your circumstances.
Getting Started
How it works
Get in touch
Tell us about your work and income and we will come back with a fixed quote, typically the same working day.
We get you set up
We register you if needed, and get you set up on simple software (or a spreadsheet) to track income and expenses.
We prepare & file
Your Self Assessment tax return is prepared, reviewed with you, and filed on time, with no surprises.
Ongoing support
Year round advice by phone, email or video call, not just once a year in January.
Looking for advice specific to your profession?
We work with contractors, freelancers and specialists across dozens of industries. See tailored accounting and tax advice for your sector.
What our clients say
Real reviews from our clients on Google
Sole Trader Tax Guide
Common questions from sole traders
What counts as self employment income?
Self employment income includes everything you are paid for goods or services you provide, including cash payments and anything taken in goods or services instead of money. You need to keep records of your income and expenses for at least 5 years after the 31 January submission deadline.
What expenses can I claim as a sole trader?
You can deduct costs incurred wholly and exclusively for your business, including materials, tools, a proportion of home working costs, travel, marketing and accountancy fees. We will tell you exactly what applies to your trade during onboarding.
Do I need to register for Self Assessment?
If you are newly self employed, you need to register with HMRC by 5 October following the end of the tax year in which you started trading. We can register you if you have not done this yet.
What is Making Tax Digital for Income Tax, and does it affect me?
MTD for Income Tax is HMRC’s new way of reporting self employment income. If your qualifying income is above £50,000 you are required to use MTD from April 2026, keeping digital records and sending quarterly updates instead of one annual return. The threshold drops to £30,000 from 2027 and £20,000 from 2028.
Should I become a limited company?
It depends on your profit level, how much you need to draw out, and your long term plans. Incorporating can reduce your tax bill once profits reach a certain level, but adds reporting requirements. We model both scenarios using your real numbers.
How does the monthly payment work?
Our fees are annual fees spread over 12 equal monthly instalments, so there are no surprises. If you would rather pay annually in one payment, we offer that too.
Get in touch
Ready for accounting that’s actually straightforward? Get a free, no obligation quote. We’re available by phone, email or video meeting, whichever suits you best.