It's the question every sole trader asks, usually in the second half of January. When you're employed, tax disappears before your pay arrives. When you're self-employed, every penny lands in your account - and some of it was never yours to spend. The short answer is 25-30% of your profit if you're a basic-rate taxpayer, and more once you earn above £50,270. But the reason that figure looks high, and why it's still right, is the part worth understanding. This guide explains bo

Working for yourself is the easy part. Working out what you owe HMRC, when it's due, and how much to put aside is where most people come unstuck - usually because nobody ever explained the system to them in plain English. This guide does that. It covers what you're actually taxed on, the two separate taxes you pay, what you can claim, when the money is due, and the changes coming down the track. It's the hub of our sole trader series of simple explainers, so where a topic des

The Chancellor delivered the Autumn Budget today against a backdrop of stubborn inflation, rising borrowing costs, and pressure on public finances. While the headlines focus on raising revenue, the real question for our clients is simple: how will these changes affect your take-home pay, your business, and your future tax planning?