
Sole Trader Guide UK: Responsibilities, Setup & Self-Employment Explained
Thinking of becoming a sole trader? Learn what self-employment involves, your responsibilities, and how sole traders differ from LTDs or partnerships in the UK.
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Offices at London Bridge and Croydon
Tax returns, accounts, VAT and payroll for sole traders, landlords, contractors and small companies across London. Meet us at London Bridge or Croydon, or by video call, in English, Russian or Romanian.
We have two offices, both south of the Thames. One is Room 341 in The News Building, next to London Bridge station. The other is on the 4th floor of AMP House in Croydon, opposite East Croydon station. We don't have offices anywhere else in London, but clients from any borough can visit either one by appointment, or work with us by video call.
London Bridge station has the Northern and Jubilee lines and Southern, Southeastern and Thameslink trains. East Croydon has Southern and Thameslink trains and the tram. Direct trains link the two, so if you live in south London and work in the centre you can choose the office that fits your day.
Our London clients are mostly individuals and small businesses: sole traders, landlords, contractors and limited companies with a few staff. We work in English, Russian and Romanian, which helps if HMRC letters are easier to follow in your first language.
The core work we do for individuals and small businesses across London.
Tax returns for the self-employed, landlords, company directors and anyone with income HMRC doesn't tax at source. We go through the return with you and file it online before 31 January.
Registering a limited company at Companies House, then setting it up with HMRC for Corporation Tax and, if you take on staff, for PAYE.
Registering for VAT when taxable turnover passes £90,000 in any rolling 12 months, or earlier by choice if that suits your business. We explain which VAT scheme fits before you apply.
Payroll for London employers, covering payslips, RTI submissions to HMRC, auto-enrolment duties and P60s at the end of the tax year.
Tell us what you need and we'll come back with a clear, fixed-fee quote. No jargon and no obligation to go ahead.
Vorontsov Consulting Services LTD
"Partnering with Golden Tree Consulting has been one of the best decisions for us. Their financial strategies have significantly reduced our expenses and their exceptional communication keeps us well-informed."
What we do for London companies, and for people who just need a tax return filed.
Sole traders, partnerships and limited companies:
People whose income is not all taxed through PAYE:
Three things that work differently in London, or that often catch people out.
London has 33 councils that bill business rates, the 32 boroughs and the City of London Corporation. You apply for small business rate relief to the council where your premises are, so a shop in Hackney and an office in Southwark deal with different teams.
Rental profit goes on your Self Assessment return. From 6 April 2026, landlords and sole traders with qualifying income over £50,000 also come under Making Tax Digital, which means digital records and quarterly updates to HMRC.
The £90,000 VAT threshold applies to any rolling 12 months, not the tax year. You have 30 days from the end of the month you went over to register, and registering late can mean paying VAT on sales where you never charged it.
Both offices are open Monday to Friday, 9am to 6pm. Meetings are by appointment.
Room 341, The News Building, 3 London Bridge Street, London SE1 9SG
Next to London Bridge station, served by the Northern and Jubilee lines and by Southern, Southeastern and Thameslink trains.
Clients who work in the City, Borough, Bermondsey or elsewhere in central London.
4th Floor, AMP House, Dingwall Road, Croydon CR0 2LX
About two minutes' walk from East Croydon station and tram stop. Southern and Thameslink trains run direct to London Bridge and Victoria.
Clients in south London and north Surrey, and anyone living near the tram network.
Book a meeting at London Bridge or Croydon, whichever is easier to reach. The same team looks after your work at both.
We agree the price after a short call and confirm it in writing before we start any work.
English, Russian and Romanian. You can ask questions and have HMRC letters explained in the language you are most comfortable with.
We have been in practice since 2018, our team has more than 15 years' experience, and we are ACCA-affiliated. We reply within 24 hours on working days.
Tell us what you need and we'll come back with a clear, fixed-fee quote. No jargon and no obligation to go ahead.
Vorontsov Consulting Services LTD
"Partnering with Golden Tree Consulting has been one of the best decisions for us. Their financial strategies have significantly reduced our expenses and their exceptional communication keeps us well-informed."
Questions about working with us in London.
No. We have two offices, The News Building at London Bridge (SE1 9SG) and AMP House in Croydon (CR0 2LX). If neither is convenient, we can work with you entirely by video call, phone and email.
The council for the borough where your premises are, or the City of London Corporation if you are in the Square Mile. Each council has its own form. Send us your rates bill and we will tell you where to apply and help you fill it in.
Yes. We can register you for Self Assessment, explain how the UK tax year from 6 April to 5 April applies to you, and work out which income goes on your first return. If you plan to work for yourself, we can register you as a sole trader or help you set up a limited company.
Yes. We prepare the property pages of your Self Assessment return, check which costs you can claim, and set up Making Tax Digital if your qualifying income is over £50,000.
Call or WhatsApp +44 7593 441557, email info@goldentreeconsulting.co.uk or use the contact form, and tell us which office suits you. We reply within 24 hours on working days. After a short call we send a fixed-fee quote in writing.
Pages for our two offices and for nearby Bromley.
Ongoing work for companies and individuals once the basics are in place.
Monthly records reconciled to your bank, ready for VAT returns and year-end accounts.
Learn moreCompany accounts for Companies House and the Corporation Tax return for HMRC.
Learn moreQuarterly VAT returns filed through Making Tax Digital software.
Learn moreMonthly returns for contractors and deduction reclaims for subcontractors.
Learn moreClaims for tax overpaid through PAYE, CIS or Self Assessment.
Learn moreChecking your entitlement to Universal Credit and other benefits, and help with the claim.
Learn moreHelpful articles and guides relevant to businesses in London.

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Read more
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