Online accounting for sole traders
Focus on your work. We’ll keep the numbers on track.
Whether you’re a contractor in the trades, building your own business or growing a side hustle alongside a 9-to-5, we’ll keep your bookkeeping, Self Assessment and Making Tax Digital responsibilities clear and under control.
Quick start
Start your sole trader enquiry
Share the basics first and we’ll recommend the right self-employed support.
Who we support
Accounting support that fits the way you work.
Sole traders aren’t all the same. Your work, clients and records may look completely different, so we shape the support around how your business actually operates.
Trades and contractors
When most of your time is spent completing jobs, it can be difficult to stay on top of invoices, expenses, receipts and CIS records. We’ll help keep everything organised.
Independent professionals
For consultants, creatives and project-based professionals who want clearer records, dependable tax support and less time spent on financial administration.
Entrepreneurs
If you’re building a business around your own skills, products or ideas, we’ll help you establish reliable records and understand the numbers behind your progress.
Side hustles
Earning additional income alongside a 9-to-5 can create new bookkeeping and tax responsibilities. We’ll explain what applies and help you manage it properly.
Where we can bring clarity
You don’t need to have everything organised before asking for help.
Many sole traders contact us because something feels unclear, has fallen behind or is taking more time than it should. Wherever you’re starting from, we’ll explain what needs attention and help you move forward.
How much should I put aside for tax?
We’ll help you understand your likely tax position, upcoming payments and what to set aside, reducing the risk of an unexpected bill.
My bookkeeping has fallen behind
Don’t let unfinished records stop you from getting in touch. We’ll review what you have, explain what needs correcting and agree any catch-up work before it begins.
Am I recording and claiming the right expenses?
We’ll explain which costs may be relevant to your work and help you maintain the records needed to support them.
What will Making Tax Digital change?
We’ll explain when MTD applies, help establish the right digital records and support you with the required quarterly submissions.
Is it time to register for VAT?
We can help you monitor the registration threshold, understand what registration would mean and get everything organised when the time comes.
Does the sole-trader structure still suit my business?
If your business is growing or changing, we can help you understand whether remaining a sole trader or considering a limited company deserves a closer look.
Sole-trader accounting services
The support you need, without services you don’t.
Choose ongoing support or help with a particular responsibility. We’ll recommend a package based on your records, deadlines and how much you want us to handle.
Self Assessment
We’ll prepare and submit your tax return accurately, explain the figures and make sure you understand what is due and when.
Explore Accounts and Tax ReturnsMaking Tax Digital
We’ll explain when MTD applies, help establish suitable digital records and support the required quarterly submissions.
Explore Making Tax DigitalBookkeeping
Keep income, expenses and bank transactions organised throughout the year, giving you clearer information and avoiding a last-minute rush.
Explore BookkeepingVAT
Support with registration, digital record keeping and VAT returns if you are registered or approaching the threshold.
Explore VATPayroll
If you employ someone, we can handle payroll calculations, payslips and the information HMRC requires.
Explore PayrollOngoing guidance
Ask questions as your business develops and get practical guidance on cash flow, tax planning, business structure and your next steps.
More than filing a tax return
Know where you stand—and what comes next.
Good accounting should do more than meet a deadline. It should give you clearer information, fewer surprises and more confidence in the decisions you make.
Fewer tax surprises
Understand what may be due and when, with time to plan rather than reacting when a deadline arrives.
Records that stay under control
Keep your bookkeeping organised throughout the year instead of rebuilding everything shortly before your tax return.
More time for your business
Spend less time working through receipts, software and HMRC requirements, and more time doing the work that earns your income.
Answers from someone who knows your business
Have a consistent point of contact who understands your setup and can help when something changes or a question comes up.
A clearer view of your progress
Use reliable figures to understand how the business is performing and make better-informed decisions about what to do next.
A connected accounting routine
Your bookkeeping, digital reporting and tax return should work as one process.
Rather than treating everything as a separate annual task, we’ll help you establish a routine that keeps your records useful throughout the year and makes each submission easier to manage.
1. Keep your records up to date
Income, expenses, invoices and bank transactions are recorded consistently, giving both you and Forest Finance reliable information to work from.
2. Complete digital reporting when required
When Making Tax Digital applies, we’ll explain the requirements, review the records and support the necessary quarterly submissions.
3. Finalise your annual tax position
We’ll prepare the relevant year-end information, complete your Self Assessment responsibilities and explain what is due and when.
FreeAgent support
Forest Finance uses FreeAgent across its accounting services. We’ll help you get set up, connect the relevant information and understand the parts you need to use. You don’t need previous accounting-software experience, and FreeAgent isn’t limited to clients affected by Making Tax Digital.
Explore FreeAgentIf you already have an accountant, we’ll contact them and manage the professional-clearance handover, helping make the transition as smooth as possible.
What our clients say
Friendly support, whenever you need clarity.
“I worked with Forest for nearly 2 years and they have always been professional and answered all my questions in timely fashion.”
Andrea M. · Forest Finance client
★★★★★
Sole trader FAQs
Common questions, answered clearly.
Do I need an accountant as a sole trader?
There is usually no legal requirement to appoint an accountant, but the right support can save time, reduce mistakes and help you understand your tax position before deadlines arrive. We can handle as much or as little of the accounting process as you need.
When do I need to register as a sole trader?
You will generally need to register for Self Assessment if your gross trading income is more than £1,000 during a tax year. You would normally need to tell HMRC by 5 October following the end of that tax year. We can help you register and understand what happens next.
What expenses can I claim?
Allowable expenses depend on the nature of your work and how each cost is used. We’ll review your business expenses, explain what can be claimed and help you retain the right supporting records.
Does Making Tax Digital apply to me?
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax is being introduced in stages. It applies from April 2026 where qualifying self-employment and property income exceeds £50,000, from April 2027 where it exceeds £30,000, and from April 2028 where it exceeds £20,000. We can check when the rules apply to you and help you prepare.
When does a sole trader need to register for VAT?
You must normally register when your VAT-taxable turnover exceeds the current £90,000 registration threshold. Voluntary registration may also be appropriate in some circumstances. We’ll help you understand the implications and register at the right time.
Can you help if my bookkeeping or tax returns are behind?
Yes. You do not need to organise everything before contacting us. We’ll review what is outstanding, explain what needs to be corrected and agree the scope and cost of any catch-up work before proceeding.
Can you take over from my current accountant?
Yes. Once you decide to move, we’ll contact your existing accountant, manage the professional-clearance process and help transfer the information needed to continue your accounting work.
Do you work with sole traders across the UK?
Forest Finance provides fully online accounting support to sole traders across England and Scotland. Meetings can be held by video, so your accountant does not need to be based nearby.
Sole trader next step
Share your self-employed setup and what is becoming harder to manage.
Tell us about your records, tax return, expenses or MTD position.
Sole trader route
A clearer route for records, returns and deadlines.
We can review your current setup and recommend whether you need Self Assessment, bookkeeping, MTD preparation or ongoing support.
- Share how you trade and what records you keep.
- Forest Finance checks your tax return, expense and MTD needs.
- You get a practical route for the next deadline or ongoing support.
Useful if you are self-employed, freelance, have side income or want your records cleaned up before tax season.
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