Choose your business structure

Company, partnership or sole trader - find the right structure for your new business

What it means to be self-employed, what you legally need to do if you work for yourself and support for your business

Sole traders must register with HM Revenue and Customs and follow certain rules on running and naming their business

How to set up a limited partnership - choose a name for your joint venture, appoint partners and register with Companies House

Incorporate a limited company - register it with Companies House and rules on directors, shares, articles of association and telling HMRC about the company

Running a limited company - including directors' responsibilities, company annual returns, reporting company changes and how to take money out of a limited company

What you can and can't claim as a business expense

The various types of social enterprise and how you can set one up, with links to forms and further information

Different types of business organisational structures, their pros and cons, and the reasons why you might want to change your business structure