The other big thing I have learnt is to maximise your overheads (within reason!) so to reduce the bill. Noone in the Revenue is going to beleieve that you (or your mate) has spent ALL their turnover on overheads (like kit) and has no tax liability, BUT I spent much more in the first two or even three years of starting up and this reduced by bill nicely. It didn't mean I had loads of cash for ME, but I got by and built the business, which is the main thing to do isn't it? Not have loads of cash to splash on wine and women. Or men or whatever.