Are you ready to start your own business but want to maintain the security of a regular salary? You can launch a business while staying employed, whether you intend to run it as a side hustle or eventually grow it into a full-time venture. If you’re considering starting your own small business, here’s an overview of the key tax considerations you’ll need to be aware of.
Registering with HMRC
Regardless of the size of your business, it’s crucial to ensure that HMRC is aware of your new venture. If you’re setting up as a sole trader, you’ll need to register with HMRC if your earnings exceed £1,000 annually (before deducting expenses).
If you plan to establish a limited company, even for a small business, registration with Companies House is mandatory. You can do this directly, via an accountant, or through a specialised formation agent.
When registering with Companies House, you will also register for Corporation Tax simultaneously. If you’ve already registered your company but haven’t signed up for Corporation Tax, you can do so separately. Be sure to register within three months of starting business activities. Additionally, you’ll need to notify HMRC that you’re subject to Self Assessment as a director. If you plan to take a salary from the company or hire employees, the company must also be registered as an employer. While it may seem like a lot of registering, each step typically takes just 10-15 minutes if you’re well-prepared.
Filing Tax Returns
If your income has only ever come from employment, you may not have had to complete a tax return before. However, as a business owner, you’ll be required to file one annually.
Your tax return must include all taxable income, even if HMRC is already aware of it. For your salary and any benefits received from your employment, you’ll need to fill out the Employment section of the return.
For limited company owners, you’ll need to complete another Employment section for any salary paid to you by the company, including benefits such as private medical insurance. The company may also need to deduct Income Tax and National Insurance from your salary and pay these to HMRC. Additionally, your company’s accounts and a Company Tax Return must be submitted when you receive a ‘Notice to Deliver a Tax Return’ from HMRC.
If you’re operating as a sole trader, you’ll need to complete the Self Employment section of your tax return. If you run more than one business as a sole trader, each business will require its own Self Employment section.
Receiving a Second Tax Code
Your tax code tells your employer how much Income Tax to deduct from your salary under PAYE. HMRC assigns your tax code based on your personal circumstances.
If your business is a limited company and you’re paid a salary, HMRC will issue a second tax code for this income. Typically, your main job’s tax code will reflect your Personal Allowance, while the second code may not include any allowance.
As a sole trader, if you only have one job, you’ll maintain a single tax code. Your business profits are taxed through your Self Assessment return rather than via PAYE, so your tax code will remain unaffected unless you ask HMRC to collect tax through it, which you can do when submitting your tax return.
Paying Additional National Insurance Contributions (NI)
As an employee, you already pay class 1 employees' NI contributions on your wages, which are deducted alongside Income Tax and paid to HMRC by your employer.
If you’re employed by your own limited company, you’ll also pay class 1 employees' NI on any salary you receive from the company, once you earn above the primary threshold. Additionally, your company will need to pay employers' NI on wages above the secondary threshold.
For sole traders, there are two types of National Insurance you may need to pay:
Class 2 NI Contributions: You’ll pay a flat rate if your profits exceed the Lower Profits Threshold (£11,908 for 2022/23, rising to £12,570 for 2023/24). If your profits are between the Small Profits Threshold (£6,725 for both 2022/23 and 2023/24) and the Lower Profits Threshold, you don’t need to pay class 2 NI, but may choose to do so voluntarily to maintain your entitlement to State Pension and other state benefits. If your profits fall below the Small Profits Threshold, you can still opt to pay class 2 NI voluntarily, though the amount might depend on how much employee NI has been deducted from your wages. When in doubt, consult HMRC or your accountant.
Class 4 NI Contributions: These are payable on business profits exceeding £11,909 for 2022/23 or £12,570 for 2023/24.
Comentarios