If setting up a business seems right for you, then check out our next section where we look at the advantages and disadvantages of sole traders and limited companies. We then compare both business types, so you can see how they compare on matters you care about. As a sole trader, you are the boss. Being self-employed allows sole traders to maintain full control of the business, meaning that you can run the business how you want to. There is no influence or bothersome interference from other owners or stakeholders; you make the final decisions.
Having complete control over a business is one of the critical factors for why people become sole traders, as it gives them greater flexibility of running a business. As a sole trader, you can keep all of your business profits after you have paid tax on them. A higher profit margin is an enticing factor for those who are interested in the monetary rewards of becoming a sole trader.
Registering with HMRC is free , therefore setting up and registering as a sole trader is very affordable. Sole traders do not have to register your new business with Companies House, which charges a fee for registering limited businesses. The additional benefit of not having to sign up with Companies House is that you uphold maximum privacy. People that choose to become a sole trader usually start part-time. They can remain employed and earn money whilst their business begins to find its feet.
Furthermore, you can still quickly form a limited company as your sole trader business begins to expand and grow. One of the key disadvantages mainly associated with being a sole trader is that you have unlimited liability for your business.
Should you owe any debt or a claim is made against your business, your personal assets and finance are at risk. In a worst-case scenario, this means that you could lose your income and your personal assets, such as your home or car, potentially bankruptcy. There can be little financial protection as a sole trader. Sole traders are not the most tax-efficient business when compared to limited companies.
The more profits you earn as a sole trader, the higher rate of tax you will have to pay proportionally. Therefore, sole traders generally have less flexibility of being able to maximise profits in comparison to limited companies.
Securing funding as a sole trader is usually tricky as most traditional lenders, such as banks, are less inclined to offer loans. Sole traders are considered risky due to their business structure, so are often lent less money. It may lead to shorter repayment periods and higher interest rates. Traditional banks generally prefer more transparency when lending money or looking to invest, to better understand how their money is being spent. Therefore, the private nature of sole traders makes banks more sceptical about lending money.
Alternatively, you could apply with an alternative lender to secure sole trader funding or a business loan. As a sole trader, you undertake every aspect of the business, including making the big decisions which ultimately decides whether you earn money or not.
As most people want to generate a profit, it requires more oversight and more work which can often strike a poor work-life balance. Many sole traders may not want to lose business, so they can be more reluctant to take a holiday. The limited liability of running a limited company is a benefit for many owners.
Therefore, you are not required to hand over a house or car if your business racks up a high amount of debt. It allows business owners to choose whether they wish to use their personal assets to pay off debts should it come to that situation. The limited liability of a limited business offers protection for business owners and directors unless they commit fraud.
Limited companies are very tax-efficient, which is a big reason why someone may opt for a limited business model. Of course, limited companies still pay tax, but the tax rates they pay can be more flexible.
The tax advantages of a limited company are an influencing factor for those who wish to utilise them. It is always advisable to speak to a professional to meet regulation criteria before making the most of limited company tax rates. Below is a table showing how much you can save as a limited company in comparison to a sole trader.
Limited companies are often treated with much more prestige. In some industries having a limited company reflects a more professional image, this could possibly be because it is registered as part of Companies House. Although not always the case, some big businesses prefer to work with limited companies over other business types. As a limited company, your business name is protected by law, meaning that no other company can have the same business name as yours. It ensures that your business is entirely individual and means nobody can damage your image by trading under the same name.
Securing funding or raising capital as a limited company can be an easier route than a sole trader. Limited companies can offer shares, which can provide capital for the business to expand. These shares are available to current shareholders or new investors. Also, limited companies can still borrow money from banks. It means that business owners and company directors have more options to choose from when looking for further investment in their business.
Setting up and running a limited company can be quite confusing for new business owners as it has a more complicated business structure compared to sole traders. Furthermore, the account structure of a limited company is also very complicated, with many directors hiring professional accountants to take care of tasks such as tax returns and updating monthly and annual accounts. Hiring an accountant will cost money, but if account reports are not filed correctly or regularly kept up to date, companies can face penalties from HMRC.
The greater complexity of a limited company generates more accountancy and administration procedures. This work is likely to be outsourced to ensure that it adheres to rules and regulations.
More administration will likely result in the company having to pay fees to accountants or legal consultants. Limited companies have to be registered with Companies House, which is accessible by anyone via the Companies House public database. There are many details included, such as company accounts, personal details and company structure, i.
For those who are looking are concerned about maintaining their privacy, running a limited company will compromise this. If your limited company has other directors or other shareholders, you will have to accommodate their views and opinions during decision-making processes. The more significant share in the company that an individual has, the more influence they can dictate.
If they have a more substantial share than you, they have greater ownership. However, many limited companies have multiple shareholders to help secure funding and to split the workload. There are still ways to raise money as a sole proprietorship; you may just need to get a little more creative. Ask friends and family to invest in your business. This is the most common route for sole proprietorship business owners.
Even if each individual cannot invest a large amount, if you have enough resources you can raise a healthy amount of money to get your company started. Make sure that the terms of the investment are made clear from the start so that there are no hard feelings or misconceptions before, during and after they provide you with financing. Seek out angel investors. While banks and venture capital firms may not be willing to take a risk on the owner of a sole proprietorship, angel investors who can become passionate about your business may supply you with the funding you need.
For this you will need a strong business plan and you will need to network in the financial community to drum up support for your business. Apply for a Small Business Administration Loan. Find our dedicated sole trader business loans calculator below.
We take pride in working with thousands of UK businesses, and we really appreciate what they say about our products and services. Sole Trader Loans. Get Approved. Home Finance Sole Trader Loans.
What is a sole trader loan? How does a sole trader business loan work? Can all sole traders get a loan? Would it help to become a Limited Company? What else should you consider about sole trader loans? Is a guarantor or security required? Find out how much you could raise Use our sole trader loan calculator to find out how much funding you could raise.
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