Claiming for Training & Courses as a Sole Trader
- 2 days ago
- 3 min read
Let’s be honest, when you went self-employed, nobody handed you a manual.
You figured out your trade, found your clients, and got on with it. But somewhere along the way, you probably realised that running a business demands a whole different set of skills on top of the actual work you do. And keeping those skills sharp? That costs money.
Here’s the good news: if you’re a sole trader, some of that investment can work in your favour come tax time.
Why Self-Development Isn’t a Nice-to-Have - It’s a Business Essential
There’s a common misconception that investing in yourself is somehow indulgent, something you do when you’ve “made it” or when you’ve got spare cash sitting around. But the most successful sole traders think about it completely differently.
Your skills are your business. Whether you’re a tradesperson, a consultant, a therapist, or a freelancer of any kind, what you know and how well you do it is the very thing your clients are paying for. If you stop learning, you stop growing. And in a world that moves quickly, standing still can quietly mean falling behind.
Self-development can look like all sorts of things:
Attending an industry conference or seminar
Completing an online course to deepen your expertise
Earning a new qualification relevant to your field
Joining a professional membership with access to training resources
Hiring a business coach to help you level up
These aren’t luxuries. They’re tools and in many cases, they’re tax deductible.
What Can You Actually Claim?
HMRC allows sole traders to claim training costs as an allowable business expense, provided the training is directly related to your existing trade or business.
The key phrase there is existing trade. The rules are pretty clear on this:
You CAN claim for training that:
Updates or improves skills you already use in your business
Keeps you up to date with changes in your industry (new regulations, updated practices, evolving tools)
Is required for a professional certification relevant to your current work
You CANNOT claim for training that:
Sets you up for a completely new career or business venture
Is unrelated to your current self-employed work
Is for personal interest only
So, for example: if you’re a self-employed bookkeeper completing a course to expand your knowledge of a particular accounting software you already use with clients, that’s claimable. If you decide to take up a photography course on the side, that’s not (unless photography is your trade).
How to Record It
As with all business expenses, keeping good records is everything. Here’s what to do:
Keep your receipts and invoices - whether you paid online or in person, hold onto proof of payment.
Note the relevance - a quick note about why the training relates to your business can be helpful if you’re ever asked to justify a claim.
Log it in your accounts - record it under training or professional development in your bookkeeping.
If you use accounting software, your bookkeeper can help you categorise these correctly so everything is accounted for when your tax return comes around.
A Note on Courses That Blur the Lines
Some training falls into a grey area, maybe it’s partly personal development and partly business relevant, or it’s helping you pivot into an adjacent area of work. In these cases, it’s always worth checking with your bookkeeper or accountant before assuming you can claim.
Getting it right upfront is far less stressful than having to unpick it later.
Investing in your professional development is one of the smartest things you can do as a sole trader. Not only does it keep you at the top of your game, in many cases, HMRC recognises it as a legitimate cost of doing business.
So the next time you spot a course that could genuinely sharpen your skills or help you serve your clients better, don’t let the cost put you off straight away. It might cost you less than you think.
Not sure whether a specific course or training qualifies? Get in touch - I’m happy to help you work through it.
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