It may be possible to save tax by running a business through a company. It depends on the combination of many different factors. 

Subscribers see Sole trader v. limited company: Tax differences & savings  2026/27

This is a freeview 'At a glance' guide to saving tax through incorporation.

• At the most basic level, a sole trader or partner will, if they are profitable, pay Class 4 National Insurance Contributions (NICs).
• If profits are high enough a sole trader will pay Income Tax at higher rates.
• A company is not subject to NICs on its income.
• The Corporation Tax rates used to calculate the tax due on a company's profits now depend on the level of profits.
  • From 1 April 2023, there is a Small Profits Rate of 19% and a Main Rate of 25%.
• A company owner will not be subject to NICs if company profits are extracted via dividend. Dividends are taxed at lower rates compared to earnings and so in a straightforward case, depending on the level of profits, there may be some tax savings by extracting profits by dividends compared to continuing as a sole trader or partner.
• Increases to dividend tax rates and a reduction in the dividend allowance will also have an impact on any tax saving.
• When there are taxable benefits involved the situation may reverse itself. For example, a sole trader may claim tax relief on the cost of running a motor car if used for business purposes, a company owner will be taxed on a car benefit charge if they have the use of a company car.

For more examples of the differences see Sole trader v. limited company: key tax & legal differences and for illustrative tax workings see Sole trader v. limited company: Tax differences & savings  2026/27