Starting your own thing? You might be asking if you need to register your business with Companies House. The short answer is… maybe. It depends on how you set things up.
If you’re a freelancer, landlord, side hustler, or micro business owner, you’ll usually be working as a sole trader or through a limited company. The rules are different for each.
Let’s make it simple.
Sole trader vs limited company: what’s the difference?
A sole trader is the easiest way to start. You run your business as an individual, keep the profits, and are responsible for the tax. You don’t need to register with Companies House or pay a fee – just tell HMRC you’re self-employed.
A limited company is a bit more official. It’s a separate legal setup, which means your business money stays separate from your personal money. You’ll need to register the company with Companies House, follow a few more rules, and pay Corporation Tax.
Most Buzz clients start as sole traders. Some switch to a limited company later if they want extra protection, are working under a PSC for contracts, or need a more formal setup.
Who needs to register where?
| Type of work | Register with Companies House? | Register with HMRC? |
| Sole Trader | No | Yes (Self Assessment) |
| Freelancer | No | Yes |
| Landlord (own name) | No | Yes |
| PSC Contractor (Ltd Co) | Yes | Yes |
| Limited Company Owner | Yes | Yes |
What does it cost to register your business?
- Sole traders, freelancers, landlords: Free
- Limited company online: £50
- Limited company by post: £71
How do I register a limited company?
- Go to the Companies House website
- Fill in your details
- Pay £50
- Voila! You’re usually set up within a day
You’ll also be registered for Corporation Tax. If you’re hiring, you might need to register for PAYE too. That’s the system employers use to pay salaries and tax.
What happens next?
Once you’re registered, you need to stay on top of your books. That means tracking your income, sorting your expenses, and keeping your tax up to date.
That’s where we come in.
How Buzz Accounting helps
If you work for yourself, Buzz works for you. It’s designed to take the stress out of tax for sole traders, landlords, freelancers and small business owners.
- Connect your bank
- Track your income and expenses automatically
- Snap and store receipts in seconds
- Get real-time tax estimates
- Submit your Self Assessment straight from Buzz
- Stay compliant with Making Tax Digital
- Know what to put aside each month
- Chat to our friendly team of accountants whenever you need
All from £9.99 per month.
Get your business set up. Buzz will take it from there. Sign up today.