Overview of sole trader tax planning

Produced by a Tolley Owner-Managed Businesses expert
Owner-Managed Businesses
Guidance

Overview of sole trader tax planning

Produced by a Tolley Owner-Managed Businesses expert
Owner-Managed Businesses
Guidance
imgtext

Because sole traders are the most simple trading entity possible, it is very easy to overlook them when it comes to planning work. It is often the case that planning for such clients will be done on a purely reactive basis, such as when they approach an adviser to discuss incorporation or purchasing large capital items.

However, advisers should endeavour to review all of their clients’ positions at least once a year.

Planning events

Determining when to conduct planning for sole traders can be challenging. There are several annual events which may dictate when best to undertake planning work and what sort of planning is appropriate:

EventTypical planning considerations
Accounting period end if accrual accountingCapital purchases
Expenditure deductible when paid
Tax year endPension contributions (annual allowance planning and higher rate relief planning)
Charitable donations
Personal taxation considerations
Completion of accountsProvisions
Bonus accruals
Completion of tax returnPayment of accrued bonuses
Claims and elections for relief
Payments on accountReduction in payments on account

Some

Continue reading the full document
To gain access to additional expert tax guidance, workflow tools, generative tax AI, and tax research, register for a free trial of Tolley+™
Powered by Tolley+
  • 07 Nov 2025 07:20

Popular Articles

Allowable deductions for employee-related expenses

Allowable deductions for employee-related expensesThis guidance note covers the tax treatment of some common types of trading expenditure relating to employees. Some of these are disallowable under general principles, for example the wholly and exclusively test or capital versus revenue expenditure.

14 Sep 2022 09:49 | Produced by Tolley Read more Read more

Self assessment ― amendments and corrections

Self assessment ― amendments and correctionsOnce a self assessment tax return has been filed, both HMRC and the taxpayer (or the agent) has the right to make changes to the return. There are different time limits depending on whether it is a correction by HMRC or an amendment made by the

14 Jul 2020 13:37 | Produced by Tolley Read more Read more

FRS 102 ― tax presentation and disclosures

FRS 102 ― tax presentation and disclosuresPresentation of tax under FRS 102An entity must present changes in a current tax liability (or asset) and changes in a deferred tax liability (or asset) as a tax expense (or income) unless the item creating the current or deferred tax amount is recognised in

14 Jul 2020 11:46 | Produced by Tolley in association with Steve Collings Read more Read more