# New Freelancer Starter Pack — UK 2025/26

Your first 30 days as a UK freelancer, week by week.

## Week 1 — Legal and admin foundation

- [ ] Decide sole trader vs limited company (use our /sole-trader-vs-limited-company-calculator)
- [ ] Sole trader: register for Self Assessment by 5 October following the tax year you start
- [ ] Limited company: incorporate at Companies House (~£50) via gov.uk/limited-company-formation
- [ ] Get your UTR — HMRC posts within 10-14 days
- [ ] Open a separate business bank account (see our /best-business-bank-account-uk guide)

## Week 2 — Financial setup

- [ ] Choose accounting software (FreeAgent, Xero, QuickBooks — see our accounting comparisons)
- [ ] Set up a tax savings account (target: 25-30% of every invoice)
- [ ] Set up an emergency fund (target: 3-6 months essential expenses)
- [ ] Draft your first invoice template (must include HMRC-required elements)
- [ ] Decide payment terms (Net 14 or Net 30 typical)

## Week 3 — Contracts, insurance, pricing

- [ ] Draft a client contract or download a template
- [ ] Get professional indemnity insurance quotes (Hiscox, PolicyBee, Simply Business)
- [ ] Add public liability if you visit client premises
- [ ] Calculate your minimum day rate (use our /day-rate-calculator)
- [ ] Test-market your day rate against 2-3 comparable freelancers

## Week 4 — Operations and marketing

- [ ] Set up your professional website (or LinkedIn profile at minimum)
- [ ] Create a lead-source list (referrals, LinkedIn, Fiverr, direct outreach)
- [ ] Set up a client CRM (spreadsheet, Notion, or freelance-focused tool)
- [ ] Book time weekly for admin: bookkeeping, invoicing, chasing overdue invoices
- [ ] Book time monthly for tax review

## Reference thresholds (2025/26)

- Personal allowance: £12,570
- Higher-rate threshold: £50,270
- VAT registration: £90,000 rolling 12-month
- Corporation tax main rate: 25%, small profits rate: 19%
- Dividend allowance: £500
- Pension annual allowance: £60,000

## Sources referenced

- HMRC — Set up as a sole trader: https://www.gov.uk/set-up-sole-trader
- Companies House — Set up a limited company: https://www.gov.uk/limited-company-formation
- HMRC — Register for VAT: https://www.gov.uk/vat-registration
- HMRC — Income tax rates: https://www.gov.uk/income-tax-rates

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*Not personal tax or legal advice. For your specific situation, consult a qualified accountant.*

*Downloaded from FreelanceToolkit UK — https://freelancetoolkituk.co.uk/new-freelancer-starter-pack*