Author: Tom Goodwin

The way you pay yourself as a sole trader or limited company has a direct impact on how tax-efficient you are overall. Most freelancers choose to operate as sole traders where there’s no legal distinction between you as a person and you as a business, and submit Self Assessment tax returns to report their earnings. Some freelancers find they benefit from registering as a limited company instead, especially if they’re aiming to be as tax-efficient as possible. In this article we’ll share some common signs as to when this might be. Tax for sole traders As a sole trader, there’s…

Freelancers are understandably concerned about the continued rise of AI, which is becoming more and more commonplace as it gets smarter and the technology improves. You may be worried about it taking work from you – or maybe even replacing you entirely. But what if you could somehow use it to your advantage, turning it into a kind of assistant or sidekick? In this article, we’ll explain what AI actually is, then break down the different ways you can make use of it as a freelancer in 2026. Some of them may surprise you! What is AI? Quite simply, artificial…

If your freelancing earns between £100,000 and £125,140, you may find that you fall into the 60% tax trap. What is this, though? And is there a way around it? In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know, and even explore ways you can legally reduce your tax bill. Let’s get into it. What gets caught out by the 60% tax trap? Most people in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland pay income tax using one or a combination of the the standard rates of 20%, 40%, or 45%, depending on how much they earn: Personal Allowance: Earn…

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD IT for short) is set to replace the Self Assessment process for some sole traders and landlords. It’s rolling out in phases, beginning in April 2026, but whether or not you need to start complying with the MTD rules depends on your qualifying income. In this article, we’ll go through the key changes and also explain how you can best prepare yourself for the switch to MTD. What is MTD IT? Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD IT) is HMRC’s plan to replace the Self Assessment with a new digital reporting system.…

Yes – it’s absolutely fine to start freelancing without a niche, and many successful freelancers do exactly that. While having a specialism can help you stand out and command higher rates, starting out as a generalist gives you the flexibility to explore different types of work, discover what you enjoy, and build a broader client base. This article looks at the pros and cons of both approaches to help you decide what’s right for you. What is a freelance niche? A freelance niche is basically your go-to area of expertise – the thing you’re known for and that people start…

With the continued rise of AI, it’s understandable that many freelancers are becoming increasingly concerned about losing out on work in both the short and long term.

Picture the scene: you sit down at your desk to finally tackle that all-important piece of work you need to get done, when suddenly the pile of washing in the corner starts calling your name…

Most freelance job sites do charge a fee, though the amount and structure varies depending on the platform. Some take a percentage of your earnings per project – Fiverr charges 20%, for example, while Upwork’s fee ranges from 0% to 15% – while others offer free sign-up with optional paid membership tiers. This article breaks down how the fees work on some of the most popular platforms, and what you need to know before signing up. What is a freelance job site? Quite simply, it’s a platform that helps you find freelance projects and jobs, and connect with clients. There…

It can sometimes pay to have as many strings to your freelancing bow as possible in today’s increasingly competitive and technological world, enabling you to diversify when needed. That’s a nice (and perfectly sensible) idea in theory, but what if it means branching out into areas so varied you end up running multiple freelance businesses, rather than extending your existing service? In which case, how on earth are you supposed to promote all of them at the same time? It’s a question we regularly encounter, so in this article we share our favourite tips for promoting multiple freelance businesses at…

This is an age-old debate for freelancers, with the answer not being immediately obvious. You might think it’s better to have as many strings to your bow as possible, but what if someone is looking for specialised knowledge in a particular area? In that instance, it would actually be better to be something of an expert in said area – as opposed to a jack of all trades who knows a little about everything. But is it always better to be a specialist? And how do you choose what to specialise in? What is a freelance niche? It’s basically just…