Guidance

HMRC email updates, videos and webinars if you’re self-employed

Learn more about your responsibilities if you're running a small business including registration, tax returns, record keeping, tax bills and payments.

Subscribe to receive email updates

Subscribe to the HMRC help and support email service to get information on a wide range of topics for individuals, businesses, employers and agents.

You can also:

  • make changes to your topic subscriptions
  • unsubscribe from the service whenever you want

Registering and joining webinars

You can register for webinars in advance but we recommend you join each webinar 5 minutes before the start.

Record keeping

Live webinar

Register for the next live webinar about record keeping for the self-employed.

This webinar is aimed at sole traders and partnerships. It is not suitable for those with limited liability partnerships or limited companies.

You will learn about:

  • basic principles of keeping good business records
  • guidance on what HMRC expects from you
  • how you can get into good habits from the start
  • the record keeping apps available for mobile devices

Recorded webinar

Watch a recorded webinar about record keeping for the self-employed.

Self Assessment

Starting Self Assessment

Watch a collection of videos to find out about starting Self Assessment.

You’ll learn about:

  • how to register for Self Assessment
  • which structure to use when registering
  • why you would be sent a tax return
  • your first Self Assessment tax return

Filling in tax returns

Watch a collection of videos to find out about filling in tax returns.

You’ll learn about:

  • tailoring your Self Assessment tax returns
  • state benefits and your online tax return
  • PAYE underpayments
  • estimated underpayments
  • declaring foreign income to HMRC
  • claiming expenditure against Capital Gains Tax

Self-employed tax returns

Watch a collection of videos to find out about self-employed tax returns.

You’ll learn about:

  • basic record keeping
  • your self-employed tax return
  • cash basis and simplified expenses
  • what expensed you can include in your Self Assessment tax return
  • claiming motoring expenses calculating your business expenses for rent, rates power and insurance costs
  • other allowable business expenses
  • Class 2 National Insurance contributions

Self Assessment tax bills

Watch a collection of videos to find out about Self Assessment tax bills.

You’ll learn about:

  • viewing your Self Assessment tax return calculation
  • budgeting for your Self Assessment tax bill
  • paying your Self Assessment tax bill
  • using the HMRC app to make a Self Assessment payment
  • help if you cannot pay your tax bill
  • Self Assessment penalties
  • appealing a late filing penalty

Student loan and post graduate loan tax returns

Watch a collection of videos to find out about student loan and post graduate loan tax returns.

You’ll learn about:

  • why your tax return asks about income contingent student loans
  • why your tax return asks about postgraduate loans
  • how to show student loan and postgraduate loan repayments on your tax return

UK property income — tax returns

Watch a collection of videos to find out about UK property income — tax returns.

You’ll learn about:

  • filling in tax returns if you have income from a property
  • Rent a Room relief
  • joint lettings
  • the property income allowance
  • rent, rates, insurance and ground rent
  • property repairs and maintenance
  • loan interest and other financial costs
  • other allowance property expenses

How to fill in your Self Assessment tax return if you’re self-employed

Recorded webinar

Watch a recorded webinar about how to fill in your Self Assessment tax return if you’re self-employed.

You will find out:

  • how to get started with your Self Assessment tax return
  • how to show employment income
  • the self-employment section in more detail
  • how to include other income you need to tell us about and claim tax reliefs

How to fill in your Self Assessment tax return if you have UK property income

Recorded webinar

Watch a recorded webinar about how to fill in your Self Assessment tax return if you have UK property income.

You will find out:

  • how to get started with your Self Assessment tax return
  • how to show employment income
  • the UK property section in more detail
  • how to include other income you need to tell us about and claim tax reliefs

How to finish your Self Assessment tax return, your tax calculation and payments

Recorded webinar

Watch a recorded webinar about how to finish your Self Assessment tax return, your tax calculation and payments.

You will learn about finishing your tax return, including:

  • underpaid tax and other debts in your tax code
  • what to do if you’ve paid too much tax
  • understanding, viewing and printing your tax calculation
  • submitting your tax return
  • paying your tax bill
  • a brief overview of how to amend your tax return if you’ve made a mistake

Understand and pay your Self Assessment tax bill

Recorded webinar

Watch a recorded webinar about understanding and paying your Self Assessment tax bill, to learn about:

  • what’s included in your tax bill
  • what happens when you’re employed and self-employed at the same time
  • how payments on account are calculated
  • budgeting for your first tax bill
  • how to pay HMRC
  • what to do if you are unable to pay

Online tax return help for landlords

Check help and support for landlords to watch catch up webinars on how to complete your online tax return for income from property.

Business expenses

Watch our short series of videos about expenses:

Basic record keeping for the self-employed.

Watch a video about basic record keeping for the self-employed.

Basic record keeping for the self-employed

What expenses can I include in my Self Assessment tax return

Watch a video about what expenses to include in your Self Assessment tax return.

What expenses can I include in my Self Assessment tax return?

Cash basis and simplified expenses

Watch a video about cash basis and simplified expenses.

Cash basis and simplified expenses

Car expenses for the self-employed

Live webinar

Register for the next live webinar about car expenses for the self-employed.

This webinar is for self-employed sole traders and self-employed partnerships. It is not suitable for limited companies, or company directors.

You will learn about:

  • what is a business journey
  • flat rate expenses
  • actual cost method
  • capital allowances
  • hire purchases and leasing arrangements

Recorded webinar

Watch a recorded webinar about car expenses for the self-employed.

Residential property income for individuals

Residential property income for individuals — an introduction

Live webinar

Register for the next live webinar about residential property income for individuals — an introduction.

You will learn about:

  • what we mean by income from property
  • furnished holiday lettings
  • when to record income and expenses (traditional accounting and cash basis)
  • property income allowance
  • the Rent a Room Scheme

This webinar will not tell you about:

  • allowable expenses and deductions from property income
  • Capital Gains Tax
  • Stamp Duty Land Tax
  • Inheritance Tax

Recorded webinar

Watch a recorded webinar about residential property income for individuals ― an introduction.

Residential property income for individuals — expenses and deductions

Live webinar

Register for the next live webinar about residential property income for individuals — expenses and deductions.

You will learn about:

  • revenue and capital expenses
  • repairs and improvement costs
  • expenses before you start letting your property
  • mortgage and finance costs
  • travel costs for business journeys
  • replacement of domestic items relief

This webinar will not tell you about the basics of letting property.

Recorded webinar

Watch a recorded webinar about residential property income for individuals ― expenses and deductions.

Business expenses for the self-employed

Live webinar

Register for the next live webinar about business expenses for the self-employed and Statutory Sick Pay.

If you’re dealing with Statutory Sick Pay, learn about:

  • qualifying conditions
  • paying Statutory Sick Pay
  • how Statutory Sick pay is affected by:
    • company sick pay
    • holidays and bank holidays
    • agency, casual and term-time workers
  • not being entitled to Statutory Sick Pay
  • keeping records

Recorded webinar

Watch a recorded webinar about business expenses for the self-employed and Statutory Sick Pay .

Capital allowances

Live webinar

Register for the next live webinar about capital allowances for the self-employed.

You will learn about how to claim tax relief when buying or improving vehicles and equipment for your business.

Recorded webinar

Watch a recorded webinar about capital allowances for the self-employed.

Selling alcohol

If you’re a small or medium business buying or selling alcohol, you can find out if you need to apply for approval to sell alcohol to another business.

How to add a tax to your business tax account

Watch a video about how to add a tax to your business tax account.

How to add a tax through your business tax account

HMRC community forums

You can use the online HMRC community forums to ask questions, see what others are asking and get answers.

Published 11 October 2017
Last updated 156 JuneJuly 2023 + show all updates
  1. A recorded webinar about understanding and paying your Self Assessment tax bill has been updated.

  2. We have added recorded webinar links for under the section Self Assessment for self employment, UK property income and calculations and payments.

  3. Links to register for live webinars to learn about 'How to fill in your Self Assessment tax return if you're self-employed', 'How to fill in your Self Assessment tax return if you have UK property income', and 'How to finish your Self Assessment tax return, your tax calculation and payment' have been added.

  4. We have updated webinar content on 'Car expenses for the self-employed' and 'Business expenses for the self-employed'.

  5. The links to recorded webinars have been updated for: Record keeping for the self-employed, Car expenses for the self-employed, Business expenses for the self-employed, and Capital allowances.

  6. Links to register for the following live webinars have been added: record keeping for the self-employed, car expenses and the self-employed, residential property income for individuals, business expenses for the self-employed and capital allowances for the self-employed.

  7. The links to register for live webinars about record keeping for the self-employed, residential property income for individuals — an introduction and capital allowances for the self-employed have been removed.

  8. Added a recorded webinar in the 'Starting your online Self Assessment tax return' section. Added a recorded webinar in 'The employment and self-employment sections of your online Self Assessment tax return' section. Added a recorded webinar in the 'Finishing your online Self Assessment tax return' section.

  9. Live webinars with information about starting and completing a Self Assessment tax return online have been added.

  10. Recorded webinars about residential property income for individuals ― an introduction and residential property income for individuals ― expenses and deductions have been added.

  11. Registration links for 2 live webinars about residential property income for individuals and video collections to find out about Self Assessment have been added.

  12. Information about the HMRC help and support email service and a new ‘HMRC community forums’ section has been added.

  13. The video link about 'basic record keeping for the self-employed' has been updated.

  14. Live webinars about record keeping and about capital allowances have been updated.

  15. The section 'Understand and pay your Self Assessment tax bill' has been updated with a new recorded webinar.

  16. The link to the video about your self-employed tax return has been updated.

  17. The link to 'What expenses can I include in my Self Assessment tax return' has been updated.

  18. Links to register for live webinars about 'car expenses and the self-employed' and 'business expenses for the self-employed' have been updated.

  19. The links to recorded webinars have been updated.

  20. We have added a link to a recorded webinar about research and development tax relief for small and medium-sized businesses.

  21. Links to register for live webinars about Research and Development tax relief for small and medium-sized businesses have been added.

  22. Links to register for the following live webinars have been updated: record keeping for the self-employed, car expenses and the self-employed, individuals with income from UK residential property, business expenses for the self-employed and capital allowances for the self-employed.

  23. A video about cash basis and simplified expenses has been added.

  24. Added links to register for webinars about how to complete your online tax return.

  25. Links to webinars about capital allowances and record keeping have been updated.

  26. A YouTube video about your self-employed tax return has been added.

  27. The video 'How to add a service through your business tax account' has been updated.

  28. Updated with links to register for upcoming webinars.

  29. Webinars about Record keeping for the self-employed, Car expenses and the Individuals with income from UK residential property have been added.

  30. A video about How to add a service through your business tax account has been added.

  31. All links to recorded webinars have been updated.

  32. Webinars about Business expenses for the self-employed and Capital allowances for the self-employed have been added.

  33. The link for the 'Basic record keeping for the self-employed' video has been updated.

  34. Under the heading Online tax return help for landlords, the link to the webinar How do I complete my online tax return - income from property, has been updated

  35. New links for catch up webinars about record keeping, how do I complete my online tax return, UK residential property income and capital allowances have been added.

  36. Links added to register for the next live webinars about completing your online tax return for employed, self-employed, income from property, business expenses and car expenses for the self-employed.

  37. We have updated the registration links for the next live webinar for 'record keeping' and 'individuals with income from UK residential property'. We have removed the webinar registration links for 'car expenses for the self employed', 'business expenses for the self-employed' and 'capital allowances'.

  38. We have updated the registration link for the next live webinar about record keeping.

  39. Updated the link for the webinar about record keeping.

  40. Links added to register for the next live webinars about Capital Allowances, Business expenses for the self-employed and Car expenses for the self-employed.

  41. A new webinar about 'record keeping' has been added.

  42. A new recorded webinar about how to pay your Self Assessment tax bill has been added.

  43. Live webinars about record keeping, car expenses, individuals with income from UK residential property, business expenses and capital allowances have been added.

  44. A video about basic record keeping for the self-employed has been added.

  45. Webinar about what expenses to include your Self Assessment tax return has been added.

  46. Webinars about how to pay your Self Assessment tax bill, how to complete your online return, starting your return, UK property income pages, help for landlords and car expenses for the self-employed have been added.

  47. Webinars about how to complete your online tax return, how to complete your online tax return: UK property income section and how to show self-employed business expenses on the tax return have been added.

  48. Webinars for 'individuals with income from UK residential property' and 'business expenses for the self-employed' have been added.

  49. Recorded webinars have been added for 'self-employment and HMRC', 'record keeping', 'how to complete your online tax return', 'how to complete property income pages', 'how to pay your self-assessment tax bill', 'car expenses' and 'capital allowances'.

  50. The latest series of videos about business expenses and taxable profits have been added.

  51. A webinar for how to complete your UK property income pages has been added.

  52. The latest webinars for how to complete your online tax return and how to pay your self-assessment tax bill have been added to the page.

  53. The latest webinar for 'an overview of self-employment and HMRC' and a video on 'Cash basis and simplified expenses' have been added to the page.

  54. Self-employment and HMRC webinar added to the guidance.

  55. The webinar for Financial support if you receive benefits has been removed from this page, along with webinars about record keeping.

  56. The Selling alcohol webinar has been deleted.

  57. The webinars in the business expenses section have been replaced by YouTube videos.

  58. The online tax return section has been updated with the next live webinar for completing the Self Assessment tax return.

  59. Latest webinars for 'Setting up your business', 'Record keeping' have been added and new 'Online tax return' section added.

  60. The latest video about business expenses has been added.

  61. The latest webinar about accounting for your income and expenses, and a new video about expenses, have been added.

  62. Webinars for setting up your business, financial support if you receive benefits and childminders have been updated.

  63. Webinar links about how to pay your tax bill and childminders have been updated.

  64. The live webinar for childminders and foster carers scheduled for 5 July 2018 has been cancelled.

  65. Webinars for capital allowances, childminders, foster carers and selling alcohol have been updated.

  66. Register for the next live webinars for childminders and foster carers.

  67. The webinars have been updated.

  68. The latest webinars about setting up your business have been updated.

  69. The latest webinars for self assessment, record keeping and foster carers have been added.

  70. Webinars being run in support of Small Business Saturday will be available on 2 December 2017.

  71. First published.