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Wooden blocks spelling out the word 'INCOME' against a blue background, white arrows are pointing towards the word.
Updated on 6 April 2026

Trading income: basis period reform

Basis period reform only affects some self-employed individuals and partners in partnerships. If you are affected, the way you report your profits for tax purposes changed from the 2023/24 tax year onwards. This page explains what basis periods are, the changes made under basis period reform, who ...

2 wooden blocks with words written on them, one saying 'CASH' and the other 'BASIS' against a blue background.
Updated on 6 April 2026

Accounts: cash basis

Sole traders and partnerships must prepare business accounts to show the income and expenses of the business for the period covered by the accounts. There are two ways to prepare business accounts- the cash basis which is designed to be a simpler way of preparing accounts, or traditional accounting ...

A pad of white paper with the words 'ACCRUAL-BASED ACCOUNTING' around the pad of paper various stationary can be seen.
Updated on 6 April 2026

Accounts: traditional accounting (accruals basis)

Sole traders and partnerships must prepare business accounts to complete their self assessment tax returns or, from 2026/27 onwards, end of year returns under Making Tax Digital for income tax. Accounts show income and expenses of the business for the accounting period and can be prepared by using ...

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Updated on 6 April 2026

Calculating self-employed profits: multiple trades

Some people have more than one business (sometimes called multiple trades). For example, they may run a dog-walking business and also be a self-employed courier. There are several points to consider if you operate multiple trades, such as preparing accounts, the trading allowance, losses and how ...

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Updated on 6 April 2026

Business record keeping

If you are self-employed or a partner in a partnership, then you must keep adequate records of your business income and expenses in order to prepare an accurate accounts for your annual tax return. This page explains what business records are and how long you need to keep them.If you must follow ...

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