Pre-trading timeline: when to apply for what

Guide summary

Plan your applications backwards from your start date. Start with items that take the longest, like a premises licence (2-3 months) or FCA authorisation (6-12 months). Register with HMRC by their deadlines — PAYE before your first payday, VAT within 30 days of your turnover reaching £90,000, and Self Assessment by 5 October in your second tax year. Missing deadlines can mean fines and criminal offences.

Plan your applications backwards from your start date
Apply for a premises licence 2 to 3 months before trading
Apply for FCA authorisation 6 to 12 months in advance
Register your business structure first
Register for PAYE before your first payday
Register your food business 28 days before opening
Register for VAT within 30 days of hitting £90,000 turnover
Register for Self Assessment by 5 October in your second tax year
Register for Corporation Tax within 3 months of trading
Get employers' liability insurance before hiring anyone

Use this timeline to plan your pre-trading applications. Start with the items that have the longest lead times and work forwards to your trading day.

Processing times at a glance

The table below shows typical processing times for common registrations and licences. Use these to work backwards from your intended trading date.

Licence application lead times

Typical processing times for common business licences, registrations, and permits to help plan your pre-trading timeline.

Processing times vary significantly between licence types. Plan applications in order of longest lead time first.

Premises licence (alcohol/entertainment): 2-3 months (28-day consultation period plus committee hearing if objections received)
Planning permission (full application): 8-13 weeks (8 weeks standard, 13 weeks major development)
FCA authorisation: 6-12 months depending on complexity and firm type
CQC registration: Up to 12 weeks from complete application
Food business registration: 28 days (submit at least 28 days before opening, no approval needed)
Companies House online incorporation: Usually within 24 hours
Companies House same-day incorporation: Same working day if submitted by 3pm
Waste carrier registration (upper tier): Usually within 5 working days
ICO data protection registration: Immediate on payment (online self-service)
HMRC PAYE registration: Up to 5 working days for employer reference
Street trading licence: Varies by council — typically 4-8 weeks

Month-by-month countdown

The checklist below provides a structured countdown from three months before trading to your first day, showing which applications to submit at each stage.

Pre-trading timeline: what to do when

Month-by-month timeline from 3 months before trading to trading day, sequencing registrations, applications, and approvals.

Start the approval process early. Some licences take months to process, and trading without them is a criminal offence.

3 months before trading: Apply for premises licence (alcohol, entertainment) — takes 2-3 months. Apply for planning permission if changing use class. Start professional regulator registration (FCA, CQC).
2 months before trading: Incorporate at Companies House (if limited company). Register for corporation tax. Apply for environmental permits. Contact building control if works needed.
1 month before trading: Register food business with local authority (28-day minimum). Register for PAYE (if employing). Set up employer pension scheme. Apply for waste carrier registration.
2 weeks before trading: Arrange employers' liability insurance (mandatory before first employee starts). Arrange public liability and other business insurance. Register with ICO for data protection fee.
Trading day: Display EL insurance certificate. Ensure food hygiene rating visible (Wales mandatory, England/NI voluntary). Begin PAYE reporting from first payday.
Within 3 months of trading: Register for self-assessment (sole trader) or corporation tax (limited company) if not already done. Register for VAT if turnover will exceed threshold.

Tip: Use the GOV.UK Licence Finder to check what additional licences your specific activity and location require. Lead times vary by local authority.

HMRC registration deadlines

Tax registrations have their own fixed deadlines that may not align with your trading date. The section below sets out each deadline and the penalties for late registration.

HMRC registration deadlines and timeline

Key HMRC registration deadlines for self-assessment, corporation tax, PAYE, and VAT with penalties for late registration.

Different HMRC registrations have different deadlines. Missing a deadline can trigger penalties and interest charges.

Self-assessment deadline: Register by 5 October in your business's second tax year. For example, if you start trading in June 2026, register by 5 October 2027.
Corporation tax deadline: Register within 3 months of starting to trade (not incorporation date). HMRC sends a CT41G notice after Companies House incorporation.
PAYE deadline: Register before your first payday. You cannot run payroll without a PAYE reference. Allow 5 working days for HMRC to issue your reference.
VAT deadline: Register within 30 days of the end of the month in which taxable turnover exceeded GBP 90,000. Late registration means you owe VAT from the date you should have registered.
Late self-assessment registration penalty: No specific penalty for late registration, but failure to notify chargeability can result in penalties of up to 100% of tax due under Finance Act 2008 Schedule 41.
Late VAT registration penalty: Assessed on net VAT due from when you should have registered. Default surcharge regime applies to late returns thereafter.

Sequencing tips

Some applications depend on others being completed first. Follow this order to avoid delays:

Register your business structure first — you need a company number or UTR before you can apply for most other registrations
Apply for premises licences early — these involve a 28-day public consultation period and can take two to three months in total
Register your food business at least 28 days before trading — this is free but cannot be done retrospectively
Arrange insurance before hiring — employers' liability insurance must be in place from your first employee's start date
Register for PAYE before your first payday — allow up to 15 working days for processing

Legal basis

Primary legislation and key regulations

Companies Act 2006 Primary 2006 · UK-wide Licensing Act 2003 Primary 2003 · UK-wide Finance Act 2007, Schedule 24 (Penalties for errors) Primary 2007 · UK-wide Value Added Tax Act 1994 Primary 1994 · UK-wide

Browse UK legislation legislation.gov.uk

Official guidance

GOV.UK Licence Finder (opens in a new tab)

Identify licences, permits, and registrations for your business.

GOV.UK

HMRC self-assessment registration for sole traders and partners.

HMRC

Set up a limited company (opens in a new tab)

Companies House online registration.

Companies House

Apply for a premises licence (opens in a new tab)

How to apply for a premises licence for alcohol, entertainment, or late-night refreshment.

GOV.UK

Pre-trading timeline: when to apply for what

Processing times at a glance

Month-by-month countdown

HMRC registration deadlines

Sequencing tips

Legal basis

Official guidance

Related guides in Compliance & Legal

Approvals and registrations you need before trading

Mandatory registrations every business must complete

Pre-trading compliance checklist

Professional registrations: regulated sectors

Fire safety duties for Northern Ireland businesses