Taxchill SE 2026
Essentials Guide
Everything sole traders need to know about tax, MTD deadlines, expenses and National Insurance — written in plain English with no jargon.
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Taxchill SE 2026 Essentials Guide
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What's inside the guide
Eight short chapters, written for people who run a business rather than people who read tax legislation. No jargon, no upsell — just the things that catch sole traders out, explained once and explained properly.
Sole trader basics
What being a sole trader actually means, when you have to register with HMRC, and the records you are required to keep.
How you are taxed
Why you pay tax on profit rather than turnover, and the Income Tax and National Insurance rates that apply for 2025/26.
Expenses you can claim
A complete allowable expenses list across eight categories, plus the common claims HMRC will reject.
Making Tax Digital
MTD ITSA explained simply: who it applies to, the quarterly submissions, and the final declaration that replaces your tax return.
Every key date for 2026
The full deadline calendar — quarterly updates, the final declaration, and payments on account.
Avoiding bill shock
How much to set aside as you earn, and how to make sure January never catches you out again.
Who this guide is for
It's written for UK sole traders — the plumber, the freelance designer, the consultant, the driver. If you invoice for your own work and file a Self Assessment return, it applies to you.
It's especially worth reading if Making Tax Digital is new to you. MTD ITSA is live now for sole traders and landlords earning over £50,000, with the £30,000 band following in April 2027, and it replaces one annual return with four quarterly submissions plus a final declaration. If you're not sure whether it applies to you yet, our guide on who needs to register for MTD ITSA walks through the thresholds and exemptions.
It is not written for limited companies, and it doesn't cover corporation tax or payroll. If your situation is more complicated than a straightforward sole trade, speak to an accountant — and we'd rather tell you that up front than sell you something that doesn't fit.
Questions about the guide
Is the guide really free?
Yes. Enter your name and email and the download starts immediately, with a copy sent to your inbox so you always have it to hand. There is no payment step and no card details.
Do I have to become a client to get it?
No. The guide is written to be useful on its own, whether you handle your own books, use someone else, or eventually work with us.
What will you do with my email address?
We send the guide and occasional emails about Making Tax Digital. You can unsubscribe from any of them in one click. We never sell or share your details — see our privacy policy for the full detail.
Is it up to date for the 2026 tax year?
Yes, this is the 2026 edition and it uses the Income Tax and National Insurance rates for 2025/26, along with the current MTD ITSA thresholds and deadlines.
Does it apply if I am a landlord rather than self-employed?
Partly. MTD ITSA covers landlords as well as sole traders, so the deadlines and digital record-keeping chapters apply. The expenses chapter is written for sole trades rather than property income.
Prefer to skip the reading and have it handled? Get in touch and we'll take your bookkeeping and HMRC submissions off your plate — or read more about whether you need an accountant for MTD first.