HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have announced the launch of a new interactive online tool and clearer guidance for those who are already self-employed and those considering it.
The new tool explains what records a self-employed person may need to keep, taxes that may apply to their business, and includes other useful information, such as how to pay a tax bill.
HMRC’s new Set Up as a sole trader: step by step guide can help people who work for themselves understand the situations in which they may need to register as a sole trader and how they can do so.
The tools can be used on an anonymous basis and are only for information purposes. Using them will not result in being registered as self-employed, and the government have said that they do not collect or store any information about the user.
If you are unsure about whether you may need to register as self-employed, please feel free to contact us. We will be happy to help you.
See: https://www.gov.uk/government/news/new-support-for-small-business-from-hmrc
Artificial intelligence (AI) continues to bring benefits across many industries, including healthcare diagnostics and consumer technology. However, as its applications expand, so do concerns about its accuracy and potential for misuse. Two recent examples—the use of AI in detecting ovarian cancer and its controversial implementation in summarising news—illustrate both the transformative potential and the risks of AI.
Last week, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) set out its initial plans for the new digital markets competition regime. The regime is designed to support the UK’s tech sector and has its legal footing in the Digital Markets, Competition and Consumers Act. The Act received royal assent in May 2024 but came into force on 1 January 2025.