Tax as a Sole Trader in Ireland – Part 1: An Introduction

Setting up as a sole trader is one of the most common ways to begin working for yourself in Ireland. It’s a straightforward structure, especially for freelancers, consultants, and self-employed professionals. But with this flexibility comes important tax responsibilities.

This is the first article in our four-part series: Tax as a Sole Trader in Ireland. In this series, we’ll guide you through what you need to know — from registering with Revenue to filing your tax return and claiming relevant credits and reliefs.

What is a Sole Trader?

A sole trader is a self-employed person who owns and operates their own business. You are personally responsible for the business, including any debts it incurs. Unlike a limited company, there is no legal distinction between you and the business.

This option is often chosen for its simplicity — you can start trading quickly, there’s minimal paperwork, and you have full control over your income. However, you also take on full responsibility for meeting your tax obligations.

What Taxes Do Sole Traders Pay?

Sole traders pay tax on their profits, not on their turnover. Profits are calculated by deducting allowable business expenses from your income.

As a sole trader, you may be liable for the following taxes:

• Income Tax
• Universal Social Charge (USC)
• PRSI (Class S)
• VAT, if your turnover exceeds the VAT threshold
• RCT, if working in certain industries such as construction

You must also pay Preliminary Tax each year — an estimate of your next year’s tax liability.

Your Key Tax Responsibilities

Once you begin trading, you’ll be expected to:

• Register as self-employed with Revenue
• Keep accurate records of all income and expenses
• File an annual Form 11 Income Tax return
• Pay Preliminary Tax and any balancing payments

You don’t need to submit financial statements, but you must be able to back up the figures in your return with proper records if Revenue requests them.

What’s Coming Up in This Series

In the next three parts of this series, we’ll take a closer look at the following:

Part 2: Tax Registrations

How to register as a sole trader, which taxes you need to sign up for, and common issues to watch out for.

Part 3: Tax Reporting

What’s involved in preparing your annual return, how to calculate your Preliminary Tax, and what records you need to keep.

Part 4: Tax Reliefs & Credits

An overview of the deductions, credits and reliefs that may reduce your tax bill, and how to ensure you’re not overpaying.

Need Help Getting Started?

If you’re unsure about whether you’ve registered correctly or want advice tailored to your circumstances, we’re here to help.

You can get in touch here and book a consultation directly to discuss your situation.