HMRC registering advice needed please

[SMSE]

I am starting up a new weekly class for babies that'll launch at the end of next month. When I went to register with HMRC it said that I would need to do it up to 28 days before my business started.

So I went away thinking I had some time as I had put the date of my business starting as the date of the first class. But I wonder if this is correct?

Understandably I have been buying equipment, advertising and my uniform for the class for the past few weeks and will continue to be doing so for the weeks to come before the first class.
I was hoping all these purchases would be tax deductible but would that only be the case of any purchases made after the date that I put the business started (so the date of the first class)?

Should I put the date of the first purchase as the date the business started? In which case I need to get on and register now :)

Thank you for your advice.

28 days is maybe for registering as an employer or for VAT. That's completely different for registering for tax as self employment, which is different again for registering for tax as a limited company. You need to follow the right webpage/guidance/links for whichever it is you're trying to register for. Registering for the wrong tax will cause delays and confusion and maybe fines etc. Assyuming you're not a company and aren't registering for VAT or payroll, i.e. as a simple self employment, then you can register anytime after you've started trading, typically up to 3 months before the tax return is due.

Thank you so much for your helpful reply! Yes it would be simply self employment, no employees or anything.
I’m currently under the impression I don’t have to register as a limited company, is that right? It’ll literally just be myself taking one weekly class with a small group of mums and babies.

I’ve had a look and the thing I’m talking about is this www.gov.uk/log-in-file-self-assessment-tax-return/register-if-youre-self-employed

Am I right in thinking I’m to do that and do I also have to do something else to register?

Thank you so much! I’m completely new to self employment and really appreciate the help.

No you don't have to set up a company. You;ll be a "sole trader". AFAIK as soon as you register as self employed that also registers you for a tax return.

Give HMRC a ring, they really are very helpful. www.gov.uk/government/organisations/hm-revenue-customs/contact/national-insurance-enquiries-for-the-self-employed

Thank you so much, I will do that! Also- my maiden name was De Oliveira