Self-Employed or Limited Company? A Guide for Small Business Owners

Last Updated on March 21, 2025 by BusinAssist Editorial Team

When starting a business, entrepreneurs mostly do not think about the legal structure of their business. Company structure is crucial since it determines how you will run your business. The most popular business structures in the UK include a sole trader and a limited company.

According to the latest business landscape, the business population estimates approximately 56% sole traders and 38% actively trading private limited companies. It shows that business owners like the sole trader structure, unlike the other.

Self-employed or limited company, which is best for my business? Here is a guide that will help you make an informed decision when choosing between the two structures for your business.

What is a Business Structure?

A business structure is a legal and organisational framework for business operations. It consists of the entity, rules that govern the business, and the management structure.

The business structure will affect how you pay taxes, obtain finances, limit liabilities, day-to-day operations, and scalability.

Why do you have to choose a business structure?

Choosing a business structure is crucial since it determines how your business will be operated and will comply with legal requirements. There are factors entrepreneurs have to consider when choosing a business structure. They include:

Tax implications: The different structures in the UK pay and file taxes differently. Your business will be taxed more or less depending on the company structure. Entrepreneurs need to understand that the structure they choose for their business will significantly affect how they pay taxes.

Limited liability: Not all company structures offer limited liability to the business owners and their members. Limited liability is the level of protection against liabilities and implications the business will face while operating. The protection covers the personal assets of the business owners, directors, and shareholders.

Legal compliance: Every business structure has laws and regulations it should comply with. With an appropriate company structure, you can comply with relevant rules that align with your business operations.

Ownership and control: The ownership structure for each type of business varies. Depending on how you want your company to be controlled, whether it is full ownership, shared, or a company structure will define that for your business.

Obtaining funds: Funding can pose challenges for entrepreneurs lacking sufficient capital to launch their businesses. A business structure will affect how you can obtain funds from investors, banks, and other financial agencies.

In the UK, various business structures exist, such as sole trader, limited company, partnership, and limited liability partnership. In this article, we will only highlight sole traders and a limited company.

What is Self-Employment?

Self-employment occurs when an individual starts and manages their own business independently. They employ themselves in their business and handle the whole operation, from administrative tasks, accounting, and receptionist to the director.

Sole traders are responsible for registering and paying taxes. Sole traders are only required to register with HMRC for Self-Assessment. They will be filing for income tax returns annually. The sole trader is also responsible for the business’s profits and losses.

It is important to note that a sole trader business structure offers unlimited personal liability.

What is the benefit of self-employment?

Full control and ownership: Self-employment means you are in charge of making decisions for the business since you are the owner. You can choose your business hours, the price of your services or products, and whether to bring in someone to help you with some tasks.

Keep all profits: As the only person who is in charge of the business, you will be able to keep all the profits and decide what to do with them.

Less administrative tasks: Unlike other business structures, sole traders have fewer administrative tasks. They do not have a lot of compliance requirements and paperwork submission for business registration.

Affordable setup: You do not require a lot of money to set up a sole trader business. Unlike limited companies, sole traders do not need to register with Companies House. They only need to inform HMRC by registering for a Self-Assessment tax return. The only cost they can incur is purchasing equipment and tools required to operate the business.

Flexibility: Sole trader businesses can easily adapt to the changes in the market landscape. This is made possible since the business owner can make decisions on behalf of the business without consulting anyone.

What are the disadvantages of self-employment?

Unlimited personal liabilities:

As a sole proprietor, you are responsible for the business debts and legal implications. This means that your assets are at risk of creditors if the business fails to pay debts.

Difficulties in obtaining funds:

Banks and financial institutions find it hard to fund sole traders since they are not legally registered with Companies House. They find it to be high risk to fund sole traders. This may lead you as an individual to take debts on behalf of the business, which puts risks to your assets.

Limited growth:

A sole trader may lack the capabilities and funds to expand their business. Realistically, business expansion needs a significant amount of funds, and you may also be required to register for permits and licenses depending on the location your business is expanding to.

Increased workload:

As a sole trader, you are responsible for every task the business comes with. In case, you want to bring in someone to help you, you will incur additional overhead costs, which will put a toll on your finances.

Difficulty in attracting new clients:

Clients may find it hard to work with a sole trader. So, you have to prove yourself to your potential clients to be able to purchase your goods or services.

Limited tax benefits:

Your business may not benefit from business taxes, as a sole trader pays taxes through Self-Assessment. Your business will not be able to benefit from lower tax rates since it is not registered.

A Mix of personal and business finances:

It is difficult to separate personal finances from the business. It will be difficult for the business owner to calculate the amount of profit, expenses, and losses the business is making.

So, self-employment or limited company?

Still not enough to make you decide the right structure for your business. In the next section, we will look into the limited structure to help you balance the two.

Overview of a Limited Company Structure

A limited company structure is a separate legal entity distinct from the directors and shareholders. As an independent entity, it provides limited liability for directors, company owners, and shareholders. Shareholders are only limited to the number of shares they have in the company.

The company is responsible for paying taxes and can finance itself by taking loans. It can also own and purchase properties, equipment, and other assets. After registering with Companies House, the company must comply with certain legal requirements.

What are the Pros of a limited company?

Separate legal entity: The limited company is distinct from the business owner and directors, giving it flexibility in business operation.

Limited liability: The company offers limited liability to the directors and shareholders. This means that their personal assets are safeguarded from the debts and legal responsibilities of the company. In case of difficulty in paying debts, the creditors will only take the company’s assets.

Tax planning: Limited companies pay corporation taxes. Limited companies get to benefit from low tax rates set for businesses, making them save more. Corporate taxes are lower than income tax rates.

Enhanced credibility: A limited company improves the credibility of your business. You will be perceived as a legitimate business since you are registered with the government and comply with legal requirements.

Access to funding: Limited companies can easily access funds from banks, financial institutions, investors, and many other funding options. Since registered with the government, banks and financial institutions may find it easier to give limited companies business loans. Investors also find it easier to invest in limited companies.

Flexible ownership: Even when the director or the company owner retires or resigns, the company will continue its operations.

Protected business name: When you register your UK business, your company name is protected nationwide. No other business can use the same or similar name as yours.

What are the disadvantages of a limited company?

Reporting responsibilities: limited companies must file and report information such as Confirmation Statement, Annual Accounts, and company tax returns annually.

Limited control: Decision-making for the company will have to be made by the agreement of the board of directors and shareholders.

Transparency: The company’s, shareholders’, and directors’ information will be made available in the public records for transparency purposes.

Administrative tasks: The limited company has many administrative tasks such as accounting, tax filing, keeping up-to-date shareholders’ and directors’ records, and financial reporting.

Higher costs: Limited companies have ongoing costs, not forgetting that you have to pay fees to Companies House to register the business.

Self-employed or limited company will depend on your business needs and requirements. With all the pros and cons of the two business structures mentioned above, you can weigh and choose a structure that will benefit your business.

BusinAssist offers UK-limited company incorporation services. This service helps business owners register their businesses without a hassle. With our simple online form, you can fill in all the required details of your business, and we will handle all the paperwork and submit it to Companies House.

The services also come with perks and additional services that will help in the daily operation of the business. From a professional business address, mail handling, company logo, VAT registration, VAT return, filing Confirmation Statement and Annual Accounts, and EORI number to modern office spaces.

For more information, contact us at [email protected].

FAQs

Q: Should I be self-employed or a limited company?
Ans: When deciding on your business structure, it is essential to evaluate the needs and goals of your business. Additionally, it is crucial to consider the advantages and disadvantages of each structure to make an informed decision.

Q: What is better, self-employed or a limited company?
Ans: The choice between being self-employed or operating as a limited company depends entirely on the specific needs of the business. However, a limited company provides better protection, tax benefits, name security, and access to funding compared to self-employment.

Q: Am I an employee if I am self-employed?
Ans: No, you are not an employee if you are self-employed since you were working for yourself and not employed. You are considered an independent contractor.

Q: Am I self-employed if I run a limited company?
Ans: No, you will be considered a company director if you run a limited company.

Q: Am I self-employed or a sole trader?
Ans: You are deemed self-employed and a sole trader if you operate your own business independently.

Q: Are limited companies incorporated?
Ans: Yes, limited companies are incorporated with Companies House. The incorporation process may take 1 business day if it is an online process.

Read Alos:

• Understanding the Timeline: How Long Does It Take to Get a Tax Refund After Self-Assessment?
• How Much Does It Cost to Set Up a Limited Company UK?
• Advantages and Disadvantages of Running your Business through a Limited Company?
• What is the Difference Between a Partnership (LLP) and Limited Company (LTD)?
• Understanding Your Rights: What to Do If Your Employer Doesn’t Issue a P45
• Can HMRC Access Your Bank Account? What Every Taxpayer Should Know
• What is a Tax Office Reference Number and How Can I Find It?