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Free tools and guides for small businesses

The official calculators, checkers and templates we point our own clients to, for starting up, tax, Making Tax Digital, VAT, payroll, Companies House and property.

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Starting a business

Resource	From	Type
Set up as a sole trader Step by step, including registering for Self Assessment.	GOV.UK	Guide
Set up a limited company From choosing a name to registering for Corporation Tax.	GOV.UK	Guide
Business plan and cash flow templates Free business plan and cash flow forecast templates for new businesses.	Start Up Loans	Template

Tax and Self Assessment

Resource	From	Type
Estimate your Income Tax An official estimate of this year's Income Tax.	HMRC	Calculator
Estimate your Self Assessment bill A rough estimate of tax and National Insurance if you are self-employed.	HMRC	Calculator
Self Assessment deadlines Key dates for registering, filing and paying.	HMRC	Guide
Late filing and payment penalties Works out the likely penalty for a late return or payment.	HMRC	Calculator
Trading and property allowances The two £1,000 tax-free allowances for small side income.	HMRC	Guide
Mileage and fuel rates Current approved mileage and advisory fuel rates.	HMRC	Guide
HMRC app Check your tax code, make payments and see your tax details.	HMRC	Tool

Making Tax Digital

Resource	From	Type
Check if and when MTD for Income Tax applies For sole traders and landlords: whether and when you need to join.	HMRC	Tool
Find MTD for Income Tax software HMRC's list of compatible software.	HMRC	Tool

VAT

Resource	From	Type
When to register for VAT The £90,000 threshold and when you must register.	HMRC	Guide
VAT Flat Rate Scheme The simpler VAT scheme for small businesses and who can use it.	HMRC	Guide

Payroll and employing people

Resource	From	Type
Employ someone for the first time A checklist for taking on your first employee.	GOV.UK	Checklist
Basic PAYE Tools Free payroll software for employers with fewer than 10 employees.	HMRC	Tool
Minimum wage calculator Check you are paying at least the minimum wage.	GOV.UK	Calculator
Check employment status for tax Whether a worker should be treated as employed or self-employed.	HMRC	Tool
Workplace pension duties for new employers A tailored timeline of your auto-enrolment duties.	The Pensions Regulator	Tool
Written statement of employment templates Free templates for employees' written terms.	Acas	Template

Companies House and compliance

Resource	From	Type
Verify your identity for Companies House How directors and PSCs verify their identity, and by when.	Companies House	Guide
File your confirmation statement When and how to file, and the fee.	Companies House	Guide
Accounts and tax returns for limited companies Filing annual accounts with Companies House and the tax return with HMRC.	GOV.UK	Guide
Data protection fee checker Check whether your business must pay the ICO fee.	ICO	Tool

Landlords

Resource	From	Type
Renting out a property: paying tax How rental income is taxed and which expenses you can claim.	HMRC	Guide
Guidance for landlords and letting agents Landlord duties under the tenancy rules in force from 1 May 2026.	GOV.UK	Guide
Stamp Duty Land Tax calculator Official calculator for Stamp Duty on property purchases in England and Northern Ireland.	HMRC	Calculator

Funding and support

Resource	From	Type
Business support helplines Free support helplines and webchat across the UK.	GOV.UK	Guide
Small business rate relief Who qualifies for rates relief and how to apply.	GOV.UK	Guide
Business guidance and finance guides Neutral guides to finance options and business essentials.	British Business Bank	Guide

These are free resources from HMRC, GOV.UK and other organisations. We are not connected to them and do not earn anything from these links. Links last checked October 2026. If one has moved, please let us know.