ByteStart

The first year in business – why survival matters more than speed

July 17, 2026

Ask most aspiring entrepreneurs what success looks like, and you'll often hear the same answers. Launching quickly. Winning customers. Growing revenue. Hiring staff. Those milestones are important, but they overlook…

charge vat waiting for registration number

Can you charge VAT while waiting for your VAT number?

July 13, 2026

If you've applied for VAT registration but are still waiting for your VAT number, you may be unsure whether you should start charging VAT. In most cases, the answer is…

Can a sole trader have more than one VAT number?

July 10, 2026

Can a sole trader have more than one VAT number? Why most sole traders can only have one VAT registration, even if they run multiple businesses.

How Tide and Zempler connect to Xero, FreeAgent and QuickBooks

July 10, 2026

How Tide and Zempler bank accounts connect to Xero and QuickBooks, and how bank feeds improve reconciliation and digital record-keeping.

How to cancel your VAT registration if you’re self-employed

July 9, 2026

If you've ceased trading, your turnover has fallen, or you've changed how you run your business, you may no longer need to be VAT registered.

Can I open a business bank account with bad credit as a sole trader?

July 8, 2026

How to open a business bank account as a sole trader even with bad credit. Compare Tide and Zempler, see how their no-credit-check process works.

VAT for the self-employed – what you need to know in 2026

July 6, 2026

A practical guide to VAT for sole traders in 2026 – when to register, how it works, VAT returns, reclaiming expenses, and how to stay compliant with HMRC.

how long to open a sole trader bank account

How long does it take to open a sole trader business bank account?

July 4, 2026

How long does it take to open a sole trader business bank account? Typical timescales for digital and high-street banks, plus what can cause delays.

close business self employed sole trader

How to stop being self-employed: a sole trader checklist

July 3, 2026

Stopping self-employment? Here’s how to close your sole trader business properly, from tax and HMRC to bank accounts and records.

Do you still need an accountant if you use Xero or FreeAgent?

July 2, 2026

Using Xero or FreeAgent for your accounts? Find out if you still need an accountant, what software can’t do, and how to get the best of both worlds.