Should I Register as a Limited Company or Stay as a Sole Trader?
I thought it might be useful to show the differences in a table format.
This table is only a summary, and you should read and consider the facts on the Government Gateway or consult with an expert before making a final decision.
Description |
Sole Trader |
Limited Company |
Legal entity |
All Income less expenses = Profits are taxed in self-assessment. Sole trader and individual are the same thing |
Separate entity and separate accounts from directors and shareholders. Best way to separate the business from the individual. |
Tax returns and documents to prepare |
Prepare a self-assessment & profit and loss statement – submit to HMRC |
Financial statements & Corporation tax return submit to Companies House and HMRC |
Accounting versus Cash |
Cash is not equal to net profit |
Cash is not equal to net profit |
Salary and Drawings |
Salary taken is not a tax-deductible expense |
Salary taken (including PAYE) is expense |
Timeline |
Only file once a year and that is a self-assessment – deadline is January.
Prepayment is due in July based on the previous year’s tax liability divided in half. |
Must file financials to Companies House & file a corporation tax return to HMRC and a confirmation statement depending on registration date of company.
Deadlines – 9 months after year end |
How to register? |
Easy to register – phone HMRC and register as sole trader and get a UTR |
Register at Companies house a company and need to file confirmation statements yearly. |
Income earned |
Income belongs to the sole trader, and it is the sole trader’s responsibility to account for the business properly and make sure the deductible expenses are accounted for. HMRC will take the money received as income and tax that if the taxpayer does not prove/show expenses |
The income belongs to the entity. Directors are responsible for the running of the business and have a fiduciary duty to run the company properly in terms of the companies act.
|
Tax deductible expenses |
Tax deductible expenses:
|
Tax deductible expenses:
|
Accounting Package |
Accounting Packages – Wave, QuickBooks, Xero etc
Nice to have - Hubdocs |
Accounting Packages – Wave, QuickBooks, Xero etc
Nice to have - Hubdocs |
VAT Registration |
Only need to register for VAT when you exceed £85 000 turnover i.e. income.
Consider flat rate scheme – easier to administrate |
Only need to register for VAT when over £85000 turnover i.e. income.
Consider flat rate scheme – easier to administrate |
Bank Account |
Good to have a separate bank account for business purposes |
Must have a separate bank account for business purposes |
Naming |
Sole trader alone |
Business name will have a limited or ltd at the end
Director and Shareholder |
Other taxes and HMRC liabilities |
Class 2 National Insurance if your profits are £6 725 (£3.15 a week) or more a year. Class 4 National Insurance if your profits are £9,569 or more a year (10.25% on profits between £11 909 and £50 270 3.25% on profits over £50,270) Self-employed National Insurance rates - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) |
Dividend tax 8.75% on Basic Rate 33.75% on Higher Rate 39.35% on Additional Rate
|
Personal allowance or tax-free portions |
£12 570 personal allowance |
First £2000 dividends are tax free in your personal capacity (but remember you would have already paid corporation tax). |
Tax Rate |
Starter tax rate – 19% Basic Rate – 20% Goes up to 46% |
Corporation tax rate at 19%. From the 1st of April 2023 – the corporation tax rate will increase to 25% for profits over £250 000.
Dividends are taxed separately – after corporation tax is paid |
CGT |
Capital Gains Tax applicable at 10%/20% on other assets or/and 18%/28% on property.
You will receive a CGT allowance of £12 300 per year
Get a private home exemption when sold.
Can get Entrepreneurs relief when sale of more than 5% of shares in a business |
No Capital Gains Tax.
All assets sold are included in the Corporation tax return.
Normal costs that qualify for tax deductions are allowed.
No private home exemption. |
Other important things |
If HMRC is expecting a self-assessment and you don’t file a return, you will be fined. |
SIC (section industry code) is important and this should reflect what your business does. If HMRC and Companies house is expecting a submission and you don’t file, you will be fined. |
If you need to speak to a lovely Anlo human about the above table, please contact annja@anlofin.com