Business Expenses Explained for UK Sole Traders

Trying to understand what business expenses you can actually claim can be confusing, especially when HMRC categories, allowable expenses, and tax rules all start sounding overly technical.In this episode, we break down the main HMRC expense categories for self-employed people and small business owners in the UK. From travel and office costs to software subscriptions and working from home expenses, we explain what counts as a legitimate business expense and what could cause problems during tax season.You’ll learn how expense categories work, why accurate record keeping matters, and how to avoid common mistakes that can lead to confusion, rejected claims, or inaccurate tax returns.If you're a sole trader, freelancer, contractor, or running a small business in the UK, this episode will help you better understand how business expenses should be tracked and categorised.In this episode, you’ll learn:What HMRC expense categories actually meanThe difference between allowable and non-allowable expensesCommon business expenses that self-employed people can usually claimHow travel, home office, and software expenses workWhy keeping organised records matters for tax returnsCommon mistakes that create issues with expense claimsHow expense tracking tools can simplify bookkeepingFull guide: The Complete HMRC Expense Categories Guide for UK Self-Employed (2026/27)