What’s new?
Notes from the money side of a one-person business.
What we read, what we keep hearing from sole traders, and what we are changing because of it.
How to write an invoice as a sole trader in the UK
How to write an invoice as a sole trader in the UK: what GOV.UK says it must include, a simple layout, and the small details that get you paid faster.
Read it →Should I raise my prices? A self-employed view
Should I raise my prices as a self-employed person? Inflation and wages both rose this year, so waiting costs you money. Here's how to do it.
Read it →VAT threshold for sole traders UK: what the data shows
The VAT threshold for sole traders in the UK is £90,000. See what HMRC data shows about how many traders sit below it, just above it and far over it.
Read it →Trading allowance: the £1,000 rule for the self-employed
The trading allowance lets you earn £1,000 from self-employment before HMRC cares. Here's how it works, when to use it and when it costs you money.
Read it →How to save for tax when you're self-employed in the UK
How to save for tax as a self-employed person in the UK: a simple percentage, a separate pot and the 31 January and 31 July dates, with a worked example.
Read it →Do I need a business bank account as a sole trader?
Do I need a business bank account as a sole trader in the UK? The law says no. My view is that you should open one anyway. Here's what GOV.UK says and why.
Read it →How many people miss the Self Assessment deadline?
How many people miss the Self Assessment deadline? HMRC says about 1 million missed 31 January 2026. Here is what that costs and how to avoid it.
Read it →Making Tax Digital for sole traders, explained
Making Tax Digital for sole traders is here. Who has to join, when the £30,000 and £20,000 limits start, and the four quarterly dates you need to know.
Read it →How to chase an unpaid invoice in the UK, step by step
How to chase an unpaid invoice in the UK: a five-step plan, what to say at each stage, and the late payment rules and court fees from GOV.UK.
Read it →Should I take a deposit as a self-employed person?
Should I take a deposit as a self-employed person in the UK? My answer is yes, almost always. Here's why, how much to ask for, and what the rules say.
Read it →Average self-employed income in the UK: the real numbers
What is the average self-employed income in the UK? HMRC data shows £118bn of profit across 5.62m sources, about £21,000 each, and a big gap in the middle.
Read it →The Late Payments Bill: what it means if you're self-employed
The UK's Late Payments Bill caps payment terms at 60 days and gives the Small Business Commissioner new powers. Here's who it helps, who it doesn't, and what you can use today.
Read it →How many self-employed people are there in the UK?
How many self-employed people are there in the UK? ONS and HMRC figures for 2026 show about 4.5 million, still well below the 2019 level.
Read it →Your customer already opened WhatsApp. Your invoice didn’t.
Sole traders book the work, agree the price and handle the aftermath in one thread. Then payment asks everyone to go somewhere else.
Read it →The real cost of chasing
Late payment is usually discussed as a cash-flow problem. For a one-person business it is also a time problem, and an emotional one.
Read it →What a financial assistant should actually do
Most “AI for business” is a chat box in front of a search index. Money is a harder problem, and it needs different rules.
Read it →