Start earning
Know when self-employed income starts and keep a note of dates and sources.
Your first year as self-employed in the UK, made simpler.
Answer a few practical questions, understand what may matter most, and choose the next useful step without trying to learn everything at once.
This page is a practical orientation guide. It is not legal, tax or accounting advice, and it is not an official HMRC answer.
What may be worth checking next?
Answer a few practical questions. SelfYear will suggest a useful next step based on where you are now.
This helps frame the next step around your current situation.
What usually happens next.
Use this page to understand common first steps, what may matter most in year one, and the next useful action based on your current answers.
Keep records
Track income, expenses, receipts, invoices, and useful notes from day one.
Review registration
Check whether registration may be relevant once income and your situation are clearer.
Set aside money for tax
Build a simple habit so your first bill feels easier to prepare for.
Review useful dates
Keep an eye on tax-year and reporting dates that may apply.
Prepare for year-end
Check records and saved estimates before reporting.
Start with the question that is blocking you.
Use this page to understand common first steps, what may matter most in year one, and the next useful action based on your current answers.
Registration
Do I need to register yet?
Use the registration checker as a practical starting point.
Check registration → RecordsWhat records should I keep?
See what to track for income, expenses, and year-end review.
Build checklist → Tax reserveHow much tax should I save?
Use a rough set-aside estimate as a planning guide.
Estimate reserve → MTDDo I need MTD?
Check whether Making Tax Digital may matter now or later.
Check MTD timing →How to use this page
Start here is a first route through SelfYear. It should help a new self-employed user move from uncertainty to one clear action.
- Use the first-step check if you are not sure what matters first.
- Use the focused tools when you have a specific question.
- Create a profile when you want to save progress and connect tools to your year.
- Come back when income, records or deadlines become clearer.
Start here FAQs
Short answers for people at the beginning of their self-employed year.
What should I do first when I become self-employed?
Start by noting when income begins, keeping simple records, and checking whether registration may become relevant based on your situation.
Do I need to register before I earn anything?
Not always. If you are only planning, it may be more useful to start records and review registration when income begins or expected income becomes clearer.
What if this is only side income?
Side income can still matter. Use the registration checker if you expect income above the small trading allowance or if you are unsure.
Can SelfYear tell me my official HMRC position?
No. SelfYear is a planning and guidance tool. It does not connect to HMRC or provide an official decision.
Why create a dashboard?
A dashboard can help connect your profile, records, deadlines, tool results and next steps in one place.
Create your first-year dashboard.
Track your tax-year profile, income, expenses, reminders, steps and saved tool results in one place. Results depend on the information you enter.