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Banking built for the self-employed

Separate personal and business finances, simplify Self Assessment, and focus on what you do best.

What is a Sole Trader Account?

Our Sole Trader Account is a dedicated business bank account for freelancers, contractors, tradespeople and gig workers who operate as sole traders (i.e. not a Limited Company).

Keeping business and personal finances separate makes bookkeeping and tax returns dramatically easier. Every business transaction is in one place, automatically categorised.

No monthly fees for the first 12 months, then just £7/month. No transaction fees, no minimum balance. Full UK sort code and account number, contactless Mastercard, and all the usual app features.

STARLING
•••• •••• •••• 4823
CARD HOLDER
YOUR NAME
STARLING
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STARLING
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STARLING
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STARLING
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Made for sole traders

Free for 12 months

No monthly fees for the first year. After that, just £7/month — still cheaper than most high-street alternatives. Cancel anytime.

Self Assessment ready

Auto-categorised expenses make your tax return effortless. Export a summary for your accountant, or file directly — everything HMRC needs, at the tap of a button.

Receipt capture

Photograph receipts and match them to transactions. HMRC-approved digital records. No more shoeboxes of crumpled receipts.

Professional invoicing

Send invoices directly from the app. Pay-by-link, auto reminders, VAT-ready. Get paid faster with less admin.

Accountant access

Add your accountant with view-only or full access. Direct integration with Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent.

Sole Trader FAQs

Am I a sole trader?
If you're self-employed and not registered as a Limited Company, you're likely a sole trader. This includes freelancers, contractors, tradespeople, gig workers, and small business owners without a Ltd company.
What documents do I need?
Proof of ID (passport or driving licence), proof of address, and your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) from HMRC if you have one.
Can I use it for a side hustle?
Yes. Many customers use Sole Trader Accounts for side businesses alongside a day job. It keeps your side earnings cleanly separated.
Do I need to pay VAT?
Only if your business turnover exceeds £85,000 per year. If you're VAT-registered, our invoicing and accounting features handle VAT automatically.

Ready when you are.

Open your Starling account in minutes.

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