Journey · Running a Business
Manage your tax compliance
Understand and manage your ongoing tax obligations as a UK business owner. Covers Self Assessment, VAT, Corporation Tax, record keeping, Making Tax Digital, filing deadlines, and avoiding penalties.
Understanding your tax obligations
Your tax obligations depend on your business structure. Sole traders and partners pay Income Tax through Self Assessment. Limited companies pay Corporation Tax. If your taxable turnover exceeds the threshold, you must also register for VAT.
This journey helps you understand what taxes apply to your business and how to stay compliant throughout the year.
1. Know which taxes apply to your business
Start by understanding which taxes you must pay based on your business structure. Getting this right from the start prevents problems later.
How taxes work for limited companies
Corporation Tax, dividends, PAYE for directors, and filing obligations for limited companies.
Read the guide →Register for Self Assessment
Sole traders and partners must register within 6 months of the end of the tax year in which they started trading. You'll receive your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR).
Read the guide →Get your UTR number
Your Unique Taxpayer Reference is essential for all Self Assessment correspondence with HMRC.
Read the guide →Self Assessment registration deadline
Register by 5 October following the end of the tax year in which you started self-employment to avoid penalties.
2. Register for the right taxes
Once you know which taxes apply, register with HMRC. Missing registration deadlines results in penalties, so act promptly when your business starts or reaches a threshold.
Register as self-employed with HMRC
Register for Self Assessment and Class 2 National Insurance when you start self-employment.
Read the guide →VAT registration
Register when your taxable turnover exceeds the threshold, or voluntarily if it benefits your business.
Read the guide →VAT registration threshold
You must register for VAT if your taxable turnover exceeds the threshold in any 12-month period. You can also register voluntarily below this threshold.
Corporation Tax basics
Limited companies must register for Corporation Tax within 3 months of starting business activity.
Read the guide →Corporation Tax rates
Corporation Tax rates depend on your taxable profits. Smaller companies benefit from the small profits rate.
3. Keep proper business records
Good record keeping is the foundation of tax compliance. Keep accurate records throughout the year to make filing easier and to support your claims if HMRC asks questions.
Keep business records as a sole trader
What records to keep, how long to keep them, and what format is acceptable.
Read the guide →Record keeping requirements
Different records must be kept for different periods. Most business records must be kept for at least 5 years from the 31 January deadline.
Self Assessment record keeping
HMRC can charge penalties if you fail to keep adequate records.
4. Prepare for Making Tax Digital
Making Tax Digital (MTD) requires businesses to keep digital records and submit returns using compatible software. MTD for VAT is already mandatory. MTD for Income Tax is being phased in from April 2026 for higher earners.
Prepare for Making Tax Digital
Understand MTD requirements, software options, and implementation timelines for your business.
Read the guide →MTD for Income Tax thresholds
MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment is being phased in based on income thresholds.
MTD software costs
You'll need compatible software to submit digital returns under MTD.
5. Claim allowable expenses
Reduce your tax bill by claiming all allowable business expenses. Keep receipts and records throughout the year rather than scrambling at year end.
Claim business expenses as a sole trader
What expenses you can claim, simplified expenses, and capital allowances.
Read the guide →6. File your tax returns on time
Each tax has its own filing deadline. Missing deadlines triggers automatic penalties - often starting at a fixed amount that increases the longer you delay.
File your Self Assessment tax return
Online deadline is 31 January. Paper deadline is 31 October. File early to know what you owe.
Read the guide →Self Assessment filing deadlines
Key dates for Self Assessment tax returns.
Submitting VAT returns
Quarterly VAT returns due 1 month and 7 days after the period end. Submit using MTD-compatible software.
Read the guide →File your Company Tax Return (CT600)
Due 12 months after your accounting period ends. Must be filed online using iXBRL format.
Read the guide →CT600 deadlines
Corporation Tax payment is due earlier than the return filing deadline.
Annual accounts filing deadlines
Companies House filing deadlines differ from HMRC deadlines.
7. Pay your tax on time
Payment deadlines are separate from filing deadlines - and often earlier. Late payment triggers interest immediately, and penalties follow for significant delays.
Self Assessment payment deadlines
Self Assessment tax is due on 31 January following the tax year. If you owe more than the threshold, you'll also pay payments on account in January and July.
Payments on account
Payments on account apply if your tax bill exceeds the threshold and less than 80% was collected at source.
Pay your Self Assessment tax bill
Payment methods and what to do if you cannot pay in full.
Visit GOV.UK →Pay Corporation Tax
Due 9 months and 1 day after your accounting period ends (earlier for large companies).
Visit GOV.UK →8. Understand penalties and interest
HMRC penalties escalate the longer you delay. Late filing penalties start at a fixed amount and increase over time. Late payment triggers interest from day one, with percentage penalties added later.
Self Assessment late filing penalties
Penalties start at a fixed charge and escalate for prolonged delays.
Self Assessment late payment penalties
Interest runs from the payment due date. Percentage penalties are added for significant delays.
CT600 late penalties
Corporation Tax return late filing penalties follow a different structure from Self Assessment.
Companies House late filing penalties
Automatic penalties apply for late filing of annual accounts - no excuses accepted.
HMRC interest rates
Interest is charged daily on late payments.
9. Handle special situations
Some transactions trigger additional tax obligations - buying property, employing contractors in construction, or filing partnership returns.
Pay Stamp Duty Land Tax (SDLT)
When buying property in England or Northern Ireland. Scotland has LBTT; Wales has LTT.
Read the guide →File partnership tax returns (SA800)
Partnerships file a separate return; partners then include their share on personal returns.
Read the guide →Understand property transaction taxes
Different taxes apply in England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
Read the guide →10. Get help when you need it
Tax can be complex. HMRC offers free guidance and webinars. Professional accountants and tax advisers can help with more complex situations.
Find a tax adviser or accountant
For complex situations, professional advice can save money and prevent problems.
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View journey →TB breakdown: what to do now
A step-by-step guide for cattle farmers who have just received positive TB test results. Covers immediate actions in the first 48 hours, working with APHA during the breakdown, protecting your compensation, managing your business under restrictions, and the path back to TB-free status.
View journey →Run a retail business
Ongoing compliance and operational guidance for established retail businesses
View journey →Start a lettings agency
Compliance requirements for starting a property letting business in the UK
View journey →Livestock compliance for farmers
Complete guide to identifying, tagging, moving, and keeping records for cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, and deer
View journey →Start a retail business
Launch a retail business with the right consumer protection compliance
View journey →Managing business waste and duty of care compliance
Navigate your legal obligations for business waste - duty of care, waste carriers, transfer notes, and preparing for new recycling rules
View journey →Start a food manufacturing business
Set up a food or drink production and manufacturing business
View journey →Diversify your farm business
Explore farm diversification opportunities - farm shops, holiday accommodation, renewable energy, equestrian facilities, event spaces, and rural business units
View journey →Starting a waste business
Complete compliance guide for waste transfer stations, treatment facilities, skip hire, and recycling centres. Covers environmental permits, waste carrier registration, and ongoing obligations.
View journey →Packaging producer compliance journey
Understand the overlapping environmental obligations for businesses that handle packaging. Covers Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), Plastic Packaging Tax (PPT), and Simpler Recycling requirements, and explains how they interact.
View journey →Your waste was fly-tipped - what now?
What to do when waste linked to your business is found illegally dumped. Understand your liability, gather your records, cooperate with the investigation, and prevent it happening again.
View journey →Hiring your first employee after April 2026
Updated hiring journey incorporating Employment Rights Act 2025 day-one rights and contract requirements. Covers employment contracts, SSP, family leave, and compliance essentials for new employers.
View journey →Waste compliance quick check
Quick checklist for business owners to verify they meet basic waste duty of care obligations under EPA 1990 Section 34.
View journey →Environmental compliance for new businesses
A complete introduction to environmental obligations for new business owners. Learn whether you need an environmental permit, how to handle waste legally, how to prevent pollution, and what recycling rules apply to you. No prior knowledge required.
View journey →Responding to environmental enforcement
What to do if you receive an enforcement notice or warning letter from an environmental regulator. Covers types of enforcement action, immediate steps, appeal rights, and demonstrating improvement.
View journey →Dealing with a pollution incident
Immediate steps when a pollution incident occurs at your business. Report it, contain it, understand what happens next, and prevent recurrence.
View journey →Environmental compliance for manufacturers
A comprehensive introduction to environmental compliance for manufacturing businesses. Covers permits, air emissions, water discharge, waste management, and packaging obligations.
View journey →File your first Self Assessment tax return
A step-by-step learning path for filing your first Self Assessment tax return. Covers registration, getting your UTR, setting up records, completing your return, and paying your tax bill.
View journey →Respond to a Self Assessment penalty
What to do if you have received a Self Assessment penalty notice from HMRC. Understand the penalty, check whether you have a reasonable excuse, and decide whether to appeal.
View journey →Respond to a Corporation Tax penalty or enquiry
What to do when you receive a Corporation Tax penalty notice or HMRC opens an enquiry. Covers immediate actions, understanding your penalty, appeal rights, Time to Pay arrangements, and when to seek professional help.
View journey →Self Assessment quick compliance check
A quick compliance check for experienced Self Assessment filers. Covers key deadlines, payment amounts, penalty risks, recent changes, and MTD readiness.
View journey →File your first Corporation Tax return
A step-by-step learning journey for directors filing their first Company Tax Return (CT600). Covers registration, understanding rates, preparing accounts, claiming allowances, filing, and paying Corporation Tax.
View journey →Corporation Tax quick compliance check
A quick reference for experienced company directors to verify Corporation Tax deadlines, rates, payment obligations, and allowances. Check your compliance status in 5 minutes.
View journey →Respond to a food safety incident
Immediate steps when unsafe food is discovered or a customer reports illness. Stop selling, withdraw the product, notify the FSA, and cooperate with enforcement.
View journey →Start a food business for the first time
Everything you need to do before opening a food business. Covers registration, premises, HACCP, training, allergens, labelling, and preparing for your first inspection.
View journey →Food safety quick compliance check
A quick compliance check for food business operators. Covers registration, HACCP, allergens, temperature control, training, and record keeping.
View journey →Improve your food hygiene rating
Practical steps to improve a poor food hygiene rating. Understand what inspectors scored, fix the issues, and request a re-inspection.
View journey →Self Assessment for landlords
A learning path for landlords who need to report rental income through Self Assessment. Covers registration, reporting property income on SA105, allowable expenses, mortgage interest restriction, and Making Tax Digital.
View journey →Employing people in Northern Ireland
Complete guide to NI employment law including fair employment monitoring, equality obligations, and how NI legislation differs from Great Britain. Covers the key areas where Northern Ireland has its own rules.
View journey →Starting a business in Northern Ireland
Complete guide to NI-specific requirements when starting a business. Covers devolved differences in employment law, business rates, planning, health and safety, and available support programmes.
View journey →Fix problems moving goods from GB to Northern Ireland
Troubleshooting UKIMS, customs declarations, NIRMS labelling, product marking, and EORI issues when moving goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland under the Windsor Framework.
View journey →Windsor Framework: quick compliance check for GB businesses
Quick check for GB businesses selling goods to Northern Ireland. Covers UKIMS authorisation, NIRMS for food, EORI numbers, customs requirements, and product labelling.
View journey →Selling goods from Great Britain to Northern Ireland
Complete compliance guide for GB businesses selling goods into Northern Ireland. Covers the Windsor Framework, UKIMS registration, customs requirements, product standards, and VAT implications.
View journey →Fair employment monitoring compliance problems
Troubleshooting fair employment monitoring and ECNI compliance for Northern Ireland employers. Covers registration failures, missed monitoring returns, triennial review problems, and responding to ECNI investigations.
View journey →Quick check: Northern Ireland-specific requirements
Quick checklist of key Northern Ireland differences from Great Britain. Check employment law, health and safety, planning, business rates, and equality obligations that apply only in NI.
View journey →Respond to a Trading Standards investigation
What to do if Trading Standards has contacted you, visited your premises, or conducted a test purchase. Covers understanding their powers, identifying the compliance area under investigation, gathering your due diligence evidence, responding appropriately, and strengthening your procedures.
View journey →Start selling online - retail compliance
A learning path for retailers adding an online sales channel. Covers the additional compliance obligations for distance selling, including cooling-off periods, website legal requirements, online data protection, accessibility, subscription rules, and handling complaints from online customers.
View journey →Retail compliance quick check
Quick compliance check for experienced retailers. Covers consumer rights, price marking, age-restricted sales, and annual compliance obligations.
View journey →Start a retail business - compliance essentials
A comprehensive compliance onboarding journey for new retailers. Covers consumer rights, pricing law, age-restricted sales, product safety, data protection, accessibility duties, and specialist licences. Designed for first-time retail business owners who need to understand their legal obligations before opening.
View journey →Do I need an environmental permit?
Quick assessment of whether your business activities require an environmental permit from the Environment Agency or local council.
View journey →Prepare your BNPL business for FCA regulation
Preparation guide for Buy Now Pay Later providers and merchants ahead of FCA regulation from 15 July 2026. Covers what is changing, whether you need FCA authorisation or credit broking permission, affordability assessment setup, advertising compliance, pre-contract disclosure, and complaints handling through the Financial Ombudsman Service.
View journey →Respond to FCA enforcement action or investigation
What to do if the FCA contacts your consumer credit firm about enforcement action, a skilled person review, or formal investigation. Covers identifying the type of action, immediate steps, compliance review, and preparing your response.
View journey →Start offering consumer credit to customers
End-to-end learning path for businesses new to consumer credit. Covers understanding FCA regulation, obtaining authorisation, setting up pre-contract disclosures and affordability assessments, complying with advertising rules, and verifying ongoing compliance under the Consumer Duty.
View journey →Handle Section 75 claims from customers
What to do when a customer makes a Section 75 connected lender liability claim. Covers validating the claim against the GBP 100 to GBP 30,000 threshold, investigating supplier breach or misrepresentation, responding within the 8-week complaints deadline, FOS escalation, and recovering costs from the supplier.
View journey →Consumer credit compliance quick-check
Quick compliance check for experienced consumer credit firms. Covers FCA permissions, fee payments, credit advertising, pre-contract disclosures, Consumer Duty obligations, complaints handling, and upcoming BNPL regulation.
View journey →Accommodation compliance for hotels, B&Bs, and holiday lets
Compliance journey for accommodation providers covering tourist registration, fire safety for sleeping accommodation, legionella management, VAT on accommodation, short-term lets regulation, HMO licensing, and data protection for guest data.
View journey →Start a hospitality business: licences, food safety, and compliance
End-to-end learning path for opening a hospitality business. Covers premises licences, food business registration, HACCP, fire safety, employer obligations, tipping law, and music licensing. Signposts to specialist guides for accommodation, events, and gaming.
View journey →Healthcare compliance quick check
Quick compliance check for experienced healthcare providers. Covers CQC registration, professional registrations, DBS checks, medicines audit, controlled drugs register, IPC audit, fire risk assessment, DSPT submission, insurance, and policy reviews.
View journey →Respond to a medicines or controlled drugs incident
What to do when a medicines incident occurs: medication error, controlled drug discrepancy, or CD theft/loss. Covers securing the patient and evidence, internal reporting, statutory notifications to CQC, MHRA Yellow Card, police notification for CD theft, investigation, Accountable Officer responsibilities, and corrective actions.
View journey →Open new hospitality premises: from lease to launch
End-to-end journey from signing a lease to opening night. Covers planning use class checks, premises licence application timeline, building regulations and fire safety, commercial kitchen fit-out, food business registration, music licensing, pavement licensing, and staff recruitment with right to work checks.
View journey →Respond to a CQC investigation or enforcement action
What to do if your healthcare or social care service faces CQC enforcement action. Covers understanding the type and severity of action, immediate response steps, getting legal representation, developing an improvement plan, and the appeal process through the First-tier Tribunal.
View journey →Respond to a hospitality licensing investigation
What to do if your hospitality business faces a licensing review, environmental health investigation, fire safety enforcement notice, or HMRC compliance check. Covers identifying the investigation type, understanding your rights, gathering evidence, getting representation, and preventing recurrence.
View journey →Hospitality compliance quick check
Quick compliance check for experienced hospitality operators. Covers licensing, food safety, fire risk, tipping policy, right to work, gas safety, music licensing, and insurance.
View journey →Prepare for the Data Use and Access Act 2025 changes
A step-by-step guide to understanding and adapting to the Data (Use and Access) Act 2025. Covers the 8 key reforms now in force, including recognised legitimate interests, SRI replacing DPO, cookie consent changes, and the 35x increase in PECR penalties.
View journey →Consumer rights compliance checklist
Quick compliance check for traders selling goods, services, or digital content to consumers. Covers quality standards, remedies, distance selling, unfair terms, and enforcement readiness.
View journey →Start selling products on the UK market
A comprehensive introduction to UK product safety compliance for businesses placing products on the GB market. Covers the legal framework (CPA 1987, GPSR 2005, PRMA 2025), supply chain responsibilities, risk assessment, UKCA and CE marking, online marketplace duties, and a compliance checklist. Designed for importers, new manufacturers, and online marketplace sellers with no prior knowledge of product safety law.
View journey →Planning permission for new development
A complete guide to getting planning permission for your first development project, from understanding when you need permission to navigating conditions and obligations.
View journey →Product safety quick compliance check
Rapid product safety self-assessment: verify safety obligations, marking, documentation, traceability, and recall readiness for products on the UK market.
View journey →Respond to a product safety incident
Emergency guidance when you discover an unsafe product. Stop supply immediately, notify Trading Standards and OPSS, manage the recall, and understand your legal exposure under the Consumer Protection Act 1987.
View journey →Comply with the Online Safety Act from scratch
A complete learning path for platform operators new to the Online Safety Act 2023. Covers understanding the Act, determining scope and platform category, conducting risk assessments, protecting children, implementing content moderation, writing compliant terms of service, setting up complaints procedures, implementing age assurance, and registering with Ofcom.
View journey →Help with Wales Visitor Levy
Troubleshooting guide for Wales visitor accommodation registration and levy collection. Helps accommodation providers understand registration requirements, council levy adoption, and how to collect and remit the levy.
View journey →Product compliance checklist for GB market
Quick checklist to verify your products meet GB market requirements for conformity marking, safety assessment, documentation, and traceability before placing goods on the market.
View journey →Responding to a product safety issue
What to do when you discover a product safety problem -- from initial assessment through recall notification and corrective action.
View journey →Start using AI responsibly in your business
End-to-end learning path for businesses adopting AI: understanding the regulatory landscape, assessing obligations, setting up governance, managing specific risks around data, bias, and transparency, and maintaining ongoing compliance.
View journey →AI compliance quick check
Rapid AI compliance self-assessment: identify AI systems, map to regulators, flag critical obligations, confirm key safeguards in place.
View journey →Handling customer refund disputes
When a customer demands a refund, what are your legal obligations? This guide helps you determine whether the customer is entitled to a refund, what remedy to offer, and how to process it correctly under the Consumer Rights Act 2015.
View journey →UK REACH registration deadline approaching
Steps to take as your UK REACH registration deadline approaches -- from checking your obligations to preparing your registration dossier.
View journey →Chemicals compliance in the UK
Complete guide to UK REACH and GB CLP compliance for businesses that manufacture, import, or use chemical substances and mixtures.
View journey →Prepare for EU AI Act compliance
A focused preparation path for UK businesses affected by the EU AI Act. Understand the four risk tiers, check which deadlines have already passed, classify your AI systems, and prepare for high-risk obligations before the August 2026 deadline.
View journey →Using AI in recruitment safely
Compliance path for employers using AI in recruitment: legal risks, DPIA, equality impact assessment, GOV.UK guidance, bias testing, candidate transparency, record-keeping.
View journey →Online Safety Act compliance quick check
Rapid compliance self-assessment for experienced operators: confirm scope, verify risk assessments, check content moderation, terms of service, complaints, age assurance, and Ofcom registration status.
View journey →Understanding consumer rights law for traders
Learn your legal obligations when selling goods, services, or digital content to consumers. Covers the Consumer Rights Act 2015 quality standards, tiered remedies, distance selling rules, unfair contract terms, and enforcement penalties.
View journey →Respond to an Ofcom investigation
What to do when Ofcom takes enforcement action against your online service under the Online Safety Act 2023. Covers identifying the type of action, evidence preservation, senior manager criminal liability, responding to notices, penalty mitigation, and seeking legal advice.
View journey →Responding to an AI regulatory investigation
What to do when a UK regulator investigates your AI system: ICO enforcement, FCA investigation, EHRC inquiry, CMA review. Covers immediate steps, your rights, evidence preservation, cooperation obligations, and potential penalties.
View journey →SuDS approval in Wales: quick guide
Quick checklist for mandatory Sustainable Drainage Systems (SuDS) approval in Wales. Check if you need approval, how to apply to your local SAB, and understand penalties for non-compliance.
View journey →Start selling online legally
Everything you need to know before launching an online shop. Covers distance selling regulations, pre-contract information, cancellation rights, refund obligations, website compliance, consumer rights for goods and digital content, and enforcement.
View journey →UK REACH compliance checklist
Quick check of your UK REACH registration and notification status. Covers manufacturer and importer registration, downstream user obligations, SVHC duties, Safety Data Sheets, and approaching tonnage band deadlines.
View journey →Quick check: Wales-specific requirements
Quick checklist of key Wales-specific differences from England. Check business rates, planning, Welsh language, environmental permits, workplace recycling, and Land Transaction Tax.
View journey →Responding to planning enforcement
What to do if you receive a planning enforcement notice. Understand the type of notice you have received, review your options, and find out how to appeal or comply.
View journey →Responding to a CMA investigation
What to do if the Competition and Markets Authority or Trading Standards is investigating your business. Covers immediate steps, cooperation obligations, deadlines, undertakings, and possible outcomes including fines under the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act 2024.
View journey →PSTI IoT compliance check
Quick compliance check for IoT manufacturers, importers, and distributors. Confirm product scope, verify three mandatory security requirements, identify your supply chain role, and confirm your statement of compliance obligations.
View journey →Health and safety for a growing business
What changes as your business grows: written policy at 5 employees, safety representatives at 50, and formal management systems at 250+. Understand the thresholds that trigger new health and safety obligations.
View journey →Prepare for an HSE visit
What to expect from an HSE inspection. Covers types of visit, inspector powers, what they check, improvement and prohibition notices, Fee for Intervention, how to challenge, and what to do during the visit.
View journey →Respond to a workplace accident
Immediate steps after a workplace accident. Covers first aid, scene preservation, RIDDOR reporting, investigation, record keeping, and insurance notification.
View journey →Responding to an MHSWR improvement notice
What to do when you receive an improvement notice citing MHSWR 1999 breaches. Understand the notice, identify the breach, fix the problem, and know your appeal rights.
View journey →Higher-risk building registration checklist
Quick registration checklist for Principal Accountable Persons registering a higher-risk building with the Building Safety Regulator. Covers eligibility, required information, fees, and post-registration obligations.
View journey →Employee pregnancy notification received
What to do when an employee notifies you of pregnancy. Time-sensitive compliance actions under MHSWR 1999 Regulations 16-18 covering risk assessment, action hierarchy, and ongoing monitoring.
View journey →MHSWR 1999 quick compliance audit
Rapid compliance check covering all key MHSWR 1999 duties. Verify your risk assessment, competent person, emergency procedures, information, training, and vulnerable worker protections in 10 minutes.
View journey →Golden thread compliance check
Quick compliance check for duty holders to verify their golden thread meets Building Safety Act requirements. Covers format, content, access controls, and phase-specific obligations for design, construction, and occupation.
View journey →Welsh language compliance help
Help with Welsh language requirements for businesses contracting with the public sector in Wales. Covers when Standards apply, what you need to do, how to build capability, and what happens if you fail to comply.
View journey →Dealing with a business insurance claim
Step-by-step guide for businesses making an insurance claim: immediate actions after a loss, notifying your insurer, gathering evidence, and what to do if your claim is disputed.
View journey →Pre-trading approvals quick check
Quick check for experienced business owners verifying they have all required registrations, licences, and approvals before starting to trade.
View journey →Trading without required approvals: what to do now
If you have been caught trading without required approvals — or have realised you are missing registrations or licences — this guide helps you understand the severity, get compliant quickly, and prevent recurrence.
View journey →Your business plan was rejected: what to do next
What to do when a lender, investor, or grant body rejects your business plan
View journey →Validate your business idea before you invest
Research, test, and validate your business idea before committing significant time or money
View journey →Understanding business rates
How business rates work, what relief you can claim, and how to challenge your rateable value. Covers calculation, relief schemes, appeals, and revaluation across all UK nations.
View journey →Getting approved to trade: complete pre-trading journey
A comprehensive learning journey for first-time business owners: understand what approvals you need, complete mandatory registrations, check for activity-specific licences, navigate local authority requirements, and plan your timeline to trading day.
View journey →Choose the right business model
Decide between product, service, and subscription models based on your skills, capital, and goals
View journey →Insuring your new business
A step-by-step learning journey for new business owners: understand which insurance is legally required, what additional cover you need, how to compare and buy policies, and how to manage renewals.
View journey →Name your business: check, register, and protect
Quick guide to checking name availability, understanding naming rules, and protecting your brand
View journey →Annual insurance review checklist
Quick checklist for annual insurance review: verify cover matches your business, compare renewal quotes, meet disclosure obligations, and set your next review date.
View journey →Plan your business from idea to launch
A step-by-step planning journey from idea validation through business plan writing to launch preparation
View journey →Starting a social care provider business
Step-by-step guide to starting a social care business — from choosing your regulator through workforce requirements to financial planning.
View journey →Getting started with international road haulage
Upgrade your domestic haulage operation for international road freight
View journey →Growing your goods vehicle fleet
What changes when you grow your goods vehicle fleet, from O-licence variations to OCRS scrutiny
View journey →What to do when stopped by DVSA at the roadside
How to handle a DVSA roadside inspection, what examiners check, your rights during the stop, prohibition powers, and what to do afterwards to address any issues raised.
View journey →Goods vehicle compliance quick check
Quick compliance check across all goods vehicle operator obligations
View journey →Running a holiday let
Step-by-step compliance guide for self-catering holiday accommodation. Covers licensing, safety, tax, food hygiene, and employment obligations.
View journey →Responding to DVSA enforcement or Traffic Commissioner action
What to do if your transport business faces DVSA enforcement action or a Traffic Commissioner public inquiry. Covers understanding your OCRS score, preparing for a public inquiry, fixing vehicle maintenance and drivers' hours gaps, and demonstrating compliance improvement.
View journey →