Should i register my home address as a sole trader

[maz25]

i just recentely started my online business. Not quite registered the business with HMRC as i do not know what steps to follow.

As a sole trader i know that i have to register with HMRC. but i am working from home at the moment and I wanted to know if it is possible for me to use or get a mailling address to register my business rather than the home address as my parents are currentely renting.

I wanted to use the address for my site for returns and for customers.

What would be the procedure to follow in order to do this. Should i buy the virtual office first and than register with HMRC with the mailling address that i have,Or should i register with HMRC with my home address and than buy the mailing address?

Does anyone know if their are any good virtual or mailing service that are good but is reasonably cheap as i am a business start up and do not want to spend too much

 

[Lee Jones Jnr]

You don't register your business address with anyone as a sole trader. As long as you register as self employed and for VAT when required you'll be legally sound.

 

[maz25]

I am getting so confused, everyone keeps saying different things.
If i register as self employed. Would they ask for an address?

 

[castus]

You can get virtual addresses from a lot of business centres. It may cost about £20 a month or so, but then you can use their address and they will even forward mail on to you.

 

[castus]

Yes, you need to give them your home address.

 

[maz25]

Is it a good idea to give a home address or should i give a mail box address?

 

[filtuh.com]

It probably wouldn't make much difference, I'd probably be more inclined to trust someone who has their home address listed tbh, but that's just me!

Bear in mind that your home may be subject to business rates based on the area set aside for it - ie garage space for storage, an office etc.

 

[MASSEY]

What ever your business status sole trader ltd or what ever Just use the home address you can change it in no time when you move, po box's are dodgy any way.

 

[maz25]

That is one of the reasons that i didnt want to register my business under my address as the property is being rented.

 

[MASSEY]

It doesnt matter. Your only having items sent there. When you move inform the tax and companies house. simple.

question answered.

 

[maz25]

What ever your business status sole trader ltd or what ever Just use the home address you can change it in no time when you move, po box's are dodgy any way.

Thanks.
but the problem is my parents are currentely renting and we dont want to be evicted lol

 

[MASSEY]

Thanks.
but the problem is my parents are currentely renting and we dont want to be evicted lol

I know you are dancing with poodles

 

[Lee Jones Jnr]

It doesnt matter. Your only having items sent there. When you move inform the tax and companies house. simple.

question answered.

He won't need to deal with companies house at all.

 

[MASSEY]

He won't need to deal with companies house at all.

When you move you inform hmrc your new address and update your information with companies house.

question answered

 

[Lee Jones Jnr]

When you move you inform hmrc your new address and update your information with companies house.

question answered

Again. He won't ever need to deal with Companies House. The OP is regarding being a sole trader. Companies house will have no information to update.

 

[maz25]

ok so home address or mail forwarding address ... it wont make a difference if I am a sole trader.

But what about opening a business account?
should i use my home address as well? or is it best to have a separate address

 

[MASSEY]

The guy has no clue what he's doing lol

 

[maz25]

true thats why i have posted on the forum otherwise I would have just used my own inititive and done everything without asking for advice

 

[Lee Jones Jnr]

The guy has no clue what he's doing lol

People in glass houses....

 

[MASSEY]

People in glass houses....

Haha i like that one

 

[paulears]

If your parents tenancy agreement specifically states no business can be carried out from the premises, then you are on dodgy ground, and for them, things could (but probably won't) be bad.

If you cannot carry out the business from home, then your only option is to pay somebody to use their address facility. This will be a pain. If you wish to pay for business items with a credit card, then they'll need to go to the cardholders address - so if this is the case, you're stuck again.

Let's assume the tenancy agreement says NO BUSINESS - why not contact the owner, or the agent (in writing), explaining what you wish to do, and telling them you won't be manufacturing or having customers, just a home office. Is this OK? They may well say that it's fine - then the problem has gone away.

Opening a bank account just needs you to show you are doing business, so they'll need something from you. HMRC are probably going to be most use here - so when you tell them you are now self-employed, they'll give you a UTR or other reference, and this the banks are happy with. You might find local banks are a total pain, because of the charges. I went with the Alliance and Leicester Commercial Bank - all on-line, and I'm really pleased with it. Everything I need they do, and no problems at all.

Get an accountant - most will guarantee to save you more than they cost, and do things properly.

One thing to watch is rubbish - suddenly start to have lots of cardboard boxes in your rubbish, especially if they are labelled XYZ Promotions, or whatever - is a pretty good way to upset the council and have them miffed (and possibly threaten to fine you!).

 

[DaveSUK]

Sorry to bump an old thread, but I though given the topic you'd be interested in the services on offer at http://www.ManchesterMailingAddress.co.uk

If you would like to use a dedicated business address rather than your home address Manchester Mailing Address offers virtual mailing addresses with either mail holding (where you collect the mail yourself) or mail forwarding where mail is forwarded onto an address of your choice.

 

[Gardenbirdfeeder]

I would go on a short business course with your local authority. I did one in Bolton it was 1 week long (run by the local Business enterprise with council backing) and was FREE and the best free advice I ever got as someone with no small business start up experience.They will go other everything and ask professionals such as Business Bank advisors, accountants and tax advisors to give talks plus what you need to do as a ltd company, sole trader, etc etc. I know it does not answer your initial query but they must have a course locally that you can get on and will provide a great stepping stone that will get you started.