Sole trader starting additional business

[countrycat]

My husband has been in business as a sole trader, trading online with a trading name ABC for a couple years. At the end of February 2010 we moved the domain and website ABC onto free hosting and this is still active but with no overheads, purely to sell off remaining stock. He then started trading under a second name XYZ, with the domain name and website for XYZ on the original hosting account and shopping cart previously paid for when we were using it for ABC. He is also using the same merchant account, bank accounts etc and has simply informed the banks etc of a change of business name.

Both websites are in the area of natural health but ABC was aimed specifically at adults and we did not want it publicly connected with XYZ, hence the new name and separate website.

So ... do we have to list two separate businesses on the tax return or can it be classed as a change of name, with ABC becoming a part of XYZ until the remaining stock is gone and it can be shut down completely?

Either way, what do we need to tell the Inland Revenue? I know there is a 3 month limit on informing them of becoming starting new business, but since he is already registered as self employed does that apply here? (please say no!).

Thanks for any advice!

[Jenni384]

(please say no!).
No :)
If they are both a sole trade and you've already informed them initially of starting to trade you don't have to tell them again.

If they are both essentially the same trade but under 2 different names, then I think it would be ok to put them both under the same self-employment pages. Under the "name of business" box I would say "ABC/XYZ"

[countrycat]

Thank you, that's a relief! :)