register as a sole trader?

HI,
after beginning trading a year ago and deciding that this has really now become the equivalent of a full time job for me (perfect so i can be at home looking after my toddler and able to do school drop off/pick up etc). So my question is this….. Do others on here register themselves a sole trader? And does this then enable certain tax benefits, e.g. able to claim a percentage of electricity expenses, buying new computers, internet etc etc. Or is that all possible anyway? Thank you very much in advance for any input