Appendix FM-SE sets out very specific requirements as to the documentary evidence which must be provided with an application in order to rely upon income generated through self-employment.

For the sole trader, partner or franchise route you will need to provide:

• Annual self-assessment tax returns (SA300/SA302);
• Proof of registration with HMRC as self employed;
• Your Unique Tax Reference number
• Business and personal bank statements for the full period relied upon (either one or two full financial years).

Further evidence showing that your self-employment is ongoing must also be provided. You must also provide one of the following:

• Audited accounts, if the business is required to produce these, for the financial year(s) relied upon;
• Unaudited accounts, if the business is not required to produce audited accounts, for the financial year(s) relied upon;
• A certificate of VAT registration and the VAT return for the financial year(s) relied upon if turnover is in excess of £79,000 or was in excess of the threshold which applied during the last full financial year;
• Any evidence of planning permission/local planning authority consent to operate the type/class of business at the trading address, where this is required; or
• A franchise agreement must be provided if applicable.

For a director or employee of a specified limited company in the UK you will need to provide:

• Company Tax Return (CT600) for the financial year(s) relied upon; and
• Evidence this has been filed with HMRC (i.e an electronic or written acknowledgement); evidence of registration with the Registrar of Companies at Companies House;
• Annual audited/unaudited accounts (as required) for the financial year(s) relied upon and an accountants’ certificate of confirmation; corporate/business bank statements covering the same 12-month period(s) as the CT600(s) relied upon; and
• a current Appointment Report.

Further evidence will be required including one of the following documents:

• A certificate of VAT registration and the VAT return for the financial year(s) relied upon if turnover is in excess of £79,000 or was in excess of the threshold which applied during the last full financial year;
• Proof of ownership/lease of business premises; or
• Original proof of registration with HMRC as an employer for the purposes of PAYE and National Insurance, proof of PAYE reference number and Accounts Office reference number.

If you receive a salary you will be required to provide payslips and a P60 (if issued) for the relevant period and personal bank statements showing receipt of salary. Likewise, if you receive dividends from the company you will need to provide dividend vouchers for all dividends declared during the period of the Company Tax return CT600.

Do you want to instruct me? If it is a request for free legal advice I may not respond, I’m sorry. This is because our time and intellect are our trade and therefore we deserve to get paid for our time and impartation of knowledge. I hope you understand. If you are looking for personal legal advice or help with your case, we have three different services available for differing budgets:

1. Ask us anything on video link or telephone legal advice for only £120 for 60 minutes.
2. Application checking service for £450 if you have prepared your application yourself but want it checking for your peace of mind
3. Full legal representation from £1,250 where we run your case for you.

We are Queen’s Park Solicitors. I am a  Solicitor (Lawyer) based in London, UK. My name is Atty.  Lindoven Magsino, BSc, MBA, GDL, LLM, Ph.D. (candidate). We are based at Suite 4, Stewart House, 56 Longbridge Road, Barking, Essex IG11 8RT, United Kingdom | Telephone: 02036437508 | Fax: 02033931725  | Email: donm@queensparksolicitors.co.uk | Regulated by the Solicitors Regulatory Authority (SRA) 566513. Visit us at http://www.queensparksolicitors.co.uk.