Sole Trader vs Limited Company in the UK?

If you're thinking of setting up in business or perhaps you're already self employed, at some point you're going to need to make the decision of whether to set up a limited company. In this video I'm explaining the difference between a limited company and a self employed sole trader in the UK. What are the pros and cons of going limited, how much does it cost and why it might not be the best move for all businesses.
You can read the full article to accompany this video here:
smallbusinesstoolbox.uk/start...
There more information here about names you can't use for a sole trader business: www.gov.uk/set-up-sole-trader
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#SelfEmployed #LimitedCompany #SmallBusiness

Пікірлер: 111

  • @SmallBusinessToolbox
    @SmallBusinessToolbox2 жыл бұрын

    Article with more information: smallbusinesstoolbox.uk/starting-business/sole-trader-vs-limited-company/ Tide can set you up with a limited company and bank account - have a look at my review here: smallbusinesstoolbox.uk/tide-business-bank-account-for-me/

  • @muhammadsumanmia3540

    @muhammadsumanmia3540

    2 жыл бұрын

    Mia

  • @hippopotomonstrosesquipped8362
    @hippopotomonstrosesquipped83623 жыл бұрын

    You just taught me more than I learnt in my years in business school...

  • @dudleycarl0
    @dudleycarl03 жыл бұрын

    Good tips mate. Thanks a lot for your content. It's really useful

  • @andreadiotallevi5780
    @andreadiotallevi57802 жыл бұрын

    Clear, concise and fun video to watch - I like your style!

  • @LydiaRoseSpeaks
    @LydiaRoseSpeaks2 жыл бұрын

    great vid! thank you so much for sharing this info! the breakdown was fantastic !

  • @StrattackEX
    @StrattackEX3 жыл бұрын

    Still one of my most helpful sources of explained self employed notes for years now. Thanks for the breakdown mate, top shelf!

  • @GhostofCTC
    @GhostofCTC Жыл бұрын

    Been needing to know this for a while. Thanks for this video.

  • @graemescott990
    @graemescott9904 жыл бұрын

    Magic video Andy. I wish I had seen your video years ago before setting up my limited company. My Accountant just assumed that I knew all of these things and it was a steep learning curve.

  • @user-yb8je8by4i
    @user-yb8je8by4i Жыл бұрын

    Great video. Really useful for grasping the basics. Thanks

  • @harryyoung7163
    @harryyoung71632 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for your help. I learned a lot from this video.

  • @ianclay5035
    @ianclay50352 жыл бұрын

    Love this guy for keeping things simple 👍

  • @fahimeabdyazdan6622
    @fahimeabdyazdan6622 Жыл бұрын

    ohh God that was amazing the way you explained it saved me hours and hours of reading and researching! BIG LIKE

  • @sabinarajput786
    @sabinarajput7863 жыл бұрын

    You explain it so well ... you have gained a subscriber... xx

  • @MrLeeds22
    @MrLeeds223 жыл бұрын

    Great explanation and what I've been looking for

  • @user-mo2kc8hg1z
    @user-mo2kc8hg1z Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much.Very educative and well explained

  • @steveevans8160
    @steveevans81603 жыл бұрын

    I will be sharing your uploads very good and informative thank you

  • @Hamza97
    @Hamza972 жыл бұрын

    this was very helpful thank you

  • @billyjean1

    @billyjean1

    5 ай бұрын

    yes hamza

  • @YomsTV
    @YomsTV2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the information ! Very useful

  • @Al-ny6ez
    @Al-ny6ez3 жыл бұрын

    Very well explained. Love the use of Lego. Thanks

  • @al.sevenviith
    @al.sevenviith2 жыл бұрын

    Great Video! Well explained

  • @vikeshparmar8429
    @vikeshparmar84292 жыл бұрын

    Yeh it's very helpfull video This is my first video and i though i would definately subscribed this channel because this is very helpfull. Thanks 👍

  • @Charcmode
    @Charcmode2 жыл бұрын

    Tutorials just the way I like them! Excellent. 👍

  • @peterdenness7399
    @peterdenness73992 жыл бұрын

    excellent and infomitive, nothing more needed

  • @ArtursBondars
    @ArtursBondars3 ай бұрын

    Thanks for video!

  • @marklawrence64
    @marklawrence644 жыл бұрын

    Nice video Andy. A very complicated subject but explained in a concise and easy to digest format. Nice touch with the Lego figures. 😊👍🏽 Mark

  • @SmallBusinessToolbox

    @SmallBusinessToolbox

    4 жыл бұрын

    Cheers bud - it was fun getting the Lego out! 😂👍

  • @tlangdon12

    @tlangdon12

    4 жыл бұрын

    I know the subject well but watched it just to see how Andy used Lego to explain it!

  • @LickingMyDaydreams
    @LickingMyDaydreams2 жыл бұрын

    Legos a genius! Great video - thanks!

  • @cv384
    @cv3844 жыл бұрын

    Informative, thanks mate...

  • @SmallBusinessToolbox

    @SmallBusinessToolbox

    4 жыл бұрын

    No worries! 👍👊

  • @benhare7871
    @benhare78714 жыл бұрын

    Brilliant. Going to show this to my wife as I don't think she understands why we have a Ltd. Company

  • @bandobabyworld
    @bandobabyworld2 жыл бұрын

    I’ve literally got 2 businesses and it’s been racking my mind so badly about tax & accountancy fees & this was so so helpful really appreciate it 💚💜

  • @bandobabyworld

    @bandobabyworld

    2 жыл бұрын

    Update guys!! I have done loads of accounting this morning and got all my purchase invoices , bank statements , expenses etc together . It’s beeeeeeen so draining but getting there sometimes we see a mountain in front of us ⛰ and we stare at this mountain and worry ourself and we look up towards the mountain and it keeps growing bigger and bigger . But we only need to view that mountain . As smaller than you you are bigger than your mountain (fears, worries,anxiety, ptsd) and once your at the top of the mountain you’ll look back at your past self , and well wonder why we ever worried so much! To anyone else out there with ptsd anxiety 💜❤️💚🥳🚀

  • @simonsymeou6449

    @simonsymeou6449

    Жыл бұрын

    @@bandobabyworld✌️💜

  • @NikosMarko
    @NikosMarko3 жыл бұрын

    Very informative thank you

  • @roscopeco2000
    @roscopeco20004 жыл бұрын

    Well explained, its complicated subject

  • @SmallBusinessToolbox

    @SmallBusinessToolbox

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! 👍

  • @jamesgardner8406
    @jamesgardner84062 жыл бұрын

    So helpful thank you

  • @yukiprice7323
    @yukiprice73234 жыл бұрын

    Thank you this helps explain the pros and cons of both options! Currently debating the path I am going to take but info like this is really beneficial :)

  • @assithafofana1627
    @assithafofana1627 Жыл бұрын

    Thank you so much

  • @jasonhook6657
    @jasonhook66574 жыл бұрын

    thanks Andy. Really enjoyed that, very well explained. I operate as a Sole Trader but have formed (by accountant) an Ltd company so I'm ready if I needed, plus it stops anybody taking the name :-)

  • @SmallBusinessToolbox

    @SmallBusinessToolbox

    4 жыл бұрын

    Good plan on grabbing the name - done that before! Best of luck! 👍👍

  • @Jack-qv5ru

    @Jack-qv5ru

    8 ай бұрын

    Glad you put this as I was thinking of doing exactly the same!

  • @tlangdon12
    @tlangdon124 жыл бұрын

    Great advice Andy. To anyone thinking of setting up a Partnership I would say do lots of research about how partnerships differ from sole trading/Ltd. company. I’ve been a director a number of times and am currently a partner. The legal basis for partnerships is a bit quirky, so you really need to understand it, especially about how partnerships can be dissolved.

  • @SmallBusinessToolbox

    @SmallBusinessToolbox

    4 жыл бұрын

    Indeed - wise words. Non-limited partnerships can be quite complex. 👍

  • @ricky18171
    @ricky181713 жыл бұрын

    Great video

  • @NotesYT
    @NotesYT2 жыл бұрын

    Oh god what have I done lol, Just started my limited company as I wanted to start as one ready for the potential (hopeful) growth, this video has gave me more concerns than I had lol

  • @lukekeegan3285
    @lukekeegan32854 жыл бұрын

    Andy, this is a great video, (I say that as an accountant with my own practice). Spot on.

  • @SmallBusinessToolbox

    @SmallBusinessToolbox

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Luke! Was a bit nervous with this one in case I missed anything! 😀👍

  • @sisterwoo
    @sisterwoo4 жыл бұрын

    Hi again Andy, I was just wondering if you have any info on whether there are any changes to filing tax returns for 2019/20 or is it the same as the previous year? Many thanks Paul

  • @Babychicken_22
    @Babychicken_222 жыл бұрын

    Can you switch from being a sole trader to a limited company easily ? Or at all ? Thanks for this amazing vid

  • @rikheron5510
    @rikheron55103 жыл бұрын

    great stuff this

  • @hmscatman
    @hmscatman4 жыл бұрын

    Another great video Andy. Have you ever thought of producing on ebook based on this channel? Just a thought.. Take care in these strange times!

  • @SmallBusinessToolbox

    @SmallBusinessToolbox

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you! Putting a lot of work in to the website smallbusinesstoolbox.uk/ but watch this space! 😀

  • @ShoppingwithRina
    @ShoppingwithRina2 жыл бұрын

    Nice info

  • @emmafry5398
    @emmafry53984 жыл бұрын

    Do you have any links/ resources for business plan and financial projection templates?

  • @keleyv
    @keleyv2 жыл бұрын

    Great video Can you recommend a good accountant?

  • @user-mo2kc8hg1z
    @user-mo2kc8hg1z Жыл бұрын

    I am subscribed

  • @taranazare2633
    @taranazare2633 Жыл бұрын

    I'm enjoying the use of lego - clever

  • @ryanh3285
    @ryanh32852 жыл бұрын

    I'm about to start working with my friend in construction he's a sole trader but I want the flexibility of being able to work for an agency either lorry driving or traffic management if i need extra cash would i be better as sole trader or limited company. Great video

  • @sabinarajput786
    @sabinarajput7863 жыл бұрын

    Starting a online dropshipping store would you recommend me going as a sole trader ??

  • @AcesizOfficial
    @AcesizOfficial4 жыл бұрын

    Legend

  • @DanielleLi
    @DanielleLi3 жыл бұрын

    Hi Andy. I opened a solo trader business account and they put it under my name and not my business name. What do I do to get my business name on my account? I am starting up as a photographer.

  • @sw41ton
    @sw41ton10 ай бұрын

    Thanks Andy! Can you advise on the potential issues faced if I operate a LTD company and take a wage whilst also being employed by others (not linked). What knock on will it have to my personal tax and would my employers be alerted (via tax codes etc).

  • @vinceking7878
    @vinceking787810 ай бұрын

    Hi, very helpful easy to understand video(the lego helped alot). Is it possible to register a Limited Company, and then Freeze it to save all the accounting drama? The reason why is I am in an extremely tight financial situation, and it's early days, however I need that company name for branding reasons?

  • @rebeccasemmens6569
    @rebeccasemmens65692 жыл бұрын

    I consulted for a movie some 15 years ago and it was produced in 2013. I have not been paid yet but want to explore this, however have just done the one consultation and the agreement was to be paid as a percentage after the movie release.. what would I register as and when - eg would I have to register as self employed for the day the consultation occured, or from raising the invoice, or from being paid?

  • @christopherblack7684
    @christopherblack76843 жыл бұрын

    Hi Can i register a business as a ltd company to secure the name for the future and be a sole trader?

  • @jennifersanchez1397
    @jennifersanchez13973 жыл бұрын

    Hello, I'd like to ask some something Where could I look for a Accountant ? I'd live to become a KZreadr and be more active on some social media but what you could advice me the first one or the second one?

  • @jaynesastarcm4v
    @jaynesastarcm4v2 жыл бұрын

    If I have a paye job and also have a sole trader buisness. If I switch to limited does my allowances become separate? Currently they run together on self assessment and I pay tax regardless on my business as my allowance is at my paye job

  • @CraigPicton22
    @CraigPicton223 жыл бұрын

    Hi Andy, great video. One question, if I set up as a sole trader and then say in 3 years generate enough turnover to warrant making it into a limited co. How easy is it to upgrade as it were? Would I need to start a fresh as a ltd and desolve as a sole trader or is there a way of simply shifting the status of the business?

  • @SmallBusinessToolbox

    @SmallBusinessToolbox

    3 жыл бұрын

    It's generally a case of winding down the sole trader business and starting up from scratch with the ltd. co. There's no easy way to transition that I'm aware of. So new bank account, new contracts, new invoices with co. details etc. 👍

  • @CraigPicton22

    @CraigPicton22

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SmallBusinessToolbox Ah ok thanks, that's really helpful and unfortunately what I expected. Also, you mentioned you don't need to actually register as a sole trader until the second year. Does the same apply when starting a ltd co, or does setting up a ltd co need to be done before bringing in money from a client?

  • @rodp2310
    @rodp23104 жыл бұрын

    Will be raiding the toy box for lego figures to add to my meeting room essentials. If meetings are still a thing. 😄

  • @SmallBusinessToolbox

    @SmallBusinessToolbox

    4 жыл бұрын

    Ha ha yes! It's all virtual meetings these days! 😆👍

  • @TheDickPuller
    @TheDickPuller4 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Andy, one point; my advice to any Ltd Company Share Holder or Share Holder/Director, check your Accountants out, vet them. A cheap Accountant will not be beneficial to you. In the past I paid well over £2K a year for an Accountant & it was well worth it. Another point; if the Ltd Company goes tits up, you, as a employee of the Ltd Company get paid redundancy through the NI system.

  • @SmallBusinessToolbox

    @SmallBusinessToolbox

    4 жыл бұрын

    Must admit in my experience the prices haven't really correlated with the quality of the accountant. I've had some expensive accountants in the past who were doing very bad (illegal) things. But interesting to get other views on here! 👍

  • @TheDickPuller

    @TheDickPuller

    4 жыл бұрын

    Small Business Toolbox You really need to know how to read a Balance Sheet & Profit/Loss accounts before embarking on a small business. A good Accountant will Save any company a fortune in Tax. A bad Accountant is one that’s too friendly with HMRC. My first Accountant was a retired Tax Inspector, he was amazingly good, would sit down & Teach you Double Entry Book Keeping etc. Tell you which courses to go on etc. Unfortunately, he died, but he was always died chuffed seeing a hairy arsed Plumber build a big business, based on his teaching & advice. So, my advice to anyone, regardless of cost - get a good Accountant!!

  • @DerPathfinder
    @DerPathfinder Жыл бұрын

    Make a video about LLP

  • @Entertainment_Chilli
    @Entertainment_Chilli3 жыл бұрын

    Hi, I'm an Indian. I want to start my own Cosmetic company in UK. For foreign citizens how much minimum amount is mandatory to start UK Ltd company? Please suggest 🤔🤔 or Can I start sole proprietorship ?

  • @gilgamesh310
    @gilgamesh3102 жыл бұрын

    If you’re an owner but not a director, does that mean you can only receive dividends but no salary?

  • @sgli-mw7ib
    @sgli-mw7ib7 ай бұрын

    Hi, thanks so much for teaching all this, I would like to ask you I'm a freelancer copywriter what would you suggest me to open a limited company or a sole trader ? Please help me out with that. Thanks in advance.

  • @renegary1660
    @renegary16602 жыл бұрын

    Does your assessment change in light of IR35?

  • @nikb7995
    @nikb79952 жыл бұрын

    How can i set up sole trader what do i have to do?

  • @kellyh9250
    @kellyh92503 жыл бұрын

    Hi just wanted to know if I pay for stuff for the business that I am setting up say April but yet I don’t launch the business untill august or September .would hmrc want to know income/expenses for that tax year when they ask for that information (when ever they ask) or would they only want to know from august ? And just show them invoices of stuff I’ve brought .? Also if I have one bank account for personal and business would I have to keep records for my personal expenses or just the business .?

  • @outoftheburrough

    @outoftheburrough

    3 жыл бұрын

    Kelly you can claim for business related expenses prior to launching the business (I did it for mine for equipment I'd bought already) HMRC have details on this on their website so it's worth going and reading their relevant pages

  • @mdnahidn
    @mdnahidn3 жыл бұрын

    *I have set up a LTD company only to realize that it will not make any penny for the next couple of years. There is no business account set-up either. Do I still need an accountant? Am I screwed for nothing?*

  • @andrewrobinson7797
    @andrewrobinson77973 жыл бұрын

    Hi Andy. I known you're spinning a lot of plates and you get asked a lot of questions. I started my business 3 years ago as a limited company straight from the get go because I was 'paranoid' about keeping my personal assets separate. However my annual accountancy bill is over £2000. That's profit I'm using! My annual profit is less than £20000. Should I change to sole trader or just find another accountant? I'm the director, sole employee, and a shareholder at the moment. Does a sole trader with PLI have enough legal protection for their own assets?

  • @SmallBusinessToolbox

    @SmallBusinessToolbox

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hey Andrew, that does seem expensive. I'd normally pay around £600 for Ltd. company accounts for a business of that size. Depends how much you're getting them to do but if all they're doing is micro accounts £2k seems steep. £20k is a bit low for a ltd. co. - you'll probably not see any tax savings until you get to £40k+ but obviously there are other benefits as you say. I'd shop around for a cheaper accountant. 👍

  • @andrewrobinson7797

    @andrewrobinson7797

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SmallBusinessToolbox Thanks for the response, appreciate it. They do my company accounts and my personal tax returns (employee). I literally do nothing apart from sign stuff! I currently don't pay tax as an individual and the company doesn't benefit from a tax perspective. To top it all I've just had a letter from the ICO this morning stating I need to pay a data protection fee for my company. That was news to me. I think I'll look for an alternative accountant, especially as I'm not as 'green' as I was when I set up the company. Thanks again for the reply.

  • @fifakingz7749
    @fifakingz7749 Жыл бұрын

    Great Video!! I'm from Bermuda, a British Territory where would I pay taxes if I opened a LTD company in the UK, would I pay in my Country? We are one of those tax havens, no income tax here.

  • @hairbyvalentina16
    @hairbyvalentina163 жыл бұрын

    If i just register before 1 month my limited company can i still take my self employed grant? All the years i was selfemployed

  • @SmallBusinessToolbox

    @SmallBusinessToolbox

    3 жыл бұрын

    As far as I can tell you just need to read the rules for the self employment grant and see if you qualify. The ltd co. is a separate entity. 👍

  • @hairbyvalentina16

    @hairbyvalentina16

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SmallBusinessToolbox Thank u so much for your answer.I was eligible for the first too but now because i just open my limited company im confused i think i will dont gone be eligible anymore

  • @miklossomogyi2283
    @miklossomogyi22832 жыл бұрын

    Can I be self employed and be the director/shareholder of a LTD at the same time?

  • @SmallBusinessToolbox

    @SmallBusinessToolbox

    2 жыл бұрын

    Yup!

  • @TheBeautyLoungemmm
    @TheBeautyLoungemmm3 жыл бұрын

    Does being a sole trader affect the chances in getting a mortgage?

  • @SmallBusinessToolbox

    @SmallBusinessToolbox

    3 жыл бұрын

    Great question and YES! Big topic. Might do a vid on this. 👍

  • @shifty277

    @shifty277

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SmallBusinessToolbox please do - totally totally laser focused on this subject myself as a sole trader!

  • @BlessedByAlMighty
    @BlessedByAlMighty4 жыл бұрын

    I'm a new to your channel you are so brilliant. I want to invest money in business and become a solo or ltd trader. What should I do? I want to start business with food and reinvest all the profits in food

  • @andreward8510
    @andreward85104 жыл бұрын

    bud you should have mentuioned ease of raising $, if you want an expensive BMW on a finance lease, LLC is your choice

  • @ninamartin1084
    @ninamartin1084 Жыл бұрын

    8.53.....Elon Musk (as an eg.) doesn't extract money from his company directly. He owns shares, and the value of those shares allows him to take out personal loans at preferential interest rates. He lives on the loans and so pays minimal income tax. I imagine a lot of other millionaires do the same. Now that we are in an age of inflation, perhaps debt is the way to go in terms of income.

  • @dhammer5645
    @dhammer56454 жыл бұрын

    good thing my wife is an accountant

  • @SmallBusinessToolbox

    @SmallBusinessToolbox

    4 жыл бұрын

    Ha very handy! You can get her to double check my video for mistakes! 😆👍

  • @dhammer5645

    @dhammer5645

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@SmallBusinessToolbox Very well could. Although we are in Canada so the regs maybe a little different, but not too much. She also hates doing tax, she even doesn't like doing my corporate taxes. Lol

  • @michaewelina7983
    @michaewelina79834 жыл бұрын

    Does accountant gives you paracetamol for everything as well ?

  • @garyledger2467
    @garyledger24674 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for your very useful postings in the past. Unfortunately, the Fabian socialists and their Technocracy (look it up on Bitchute, don't bother on censored platforms such as KZread or Google Search) has put paid to my sole trader business. I suspect this is true of most other small businesses. Anyway, truly, thanks again. Stay free, not safe!

  • @andymellor9056
    @andymellor90562 жыл бұрын

    When I set up in 2010, Ltd was the only option - as a supplier of services to Industry, Ltd was required for the contracts I was seeking, and was looking to grow. Came to here because my artist child is setting up - in her case sole trader is a no brainer.

  • @jeremyhassell9136
    @jeremyhassell91362 жыл бұрын

    Business = hard work, stress and massive bills

  • @temelerdinch528
    @temelerdinch5282 жыл бұрын

    Great video