Tax guides
Plain-English UK tax guides for freelancers, contractors, and side hustlers. Updated for the 2026/27 tax year.
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment explained — who it applies to, the quarterly reporting requirements, compatible software, and how to prepare ahead of the deadlines.
How student loan repayments work through Self Assessment — calculating what you owe on your SA return, the thresholds by plan, and what happens if you overpay or underpay.
A clear guide to UK Capital Gains Tax in 2026/27 — the annual exempt amount, CGT rates for different asset types, what counts as a disposal, and key reliefs.
What records sole traders must keep, how long to retain them, the digital requirements for Making Tax Digital, and the consequences of inadequate record keeping.
How limited companies work for contractors — corporation tax, salary vs dividends, what you must file with Companies House and HMRC, and what running costs to expect.
A clear guide to umbrella companies for contractors and freelancers — what they are, how the payslip works, the costs and fees, and when an umbrella makes more sense than a limited company.
How dividend income is taxed in the UK — the dividend allowance, tax rates at each band, how dividends interact with salary, and the difference inside vs outside a limited company.
How the marriage allowance works, who qualifies, how to claim it, what backdating is available, and the £252 per year tax saving explained clearly.
The £1,000 trading allowance explained — who can use it, how it works, when claiming actual expenses is better, and how to declare it on your tax return.
How rental income is taxed, the allowable expenses landlords can claim, the property income allowance, mortgage interest restrictions, and furnished holiday lettings rules.
How self-employed people can set up a pension, how tax relief works, the annual allowance, and why pension contributions are one of the most tax-efficient decisions you can make.
How self-employed people can claim vehicle costs — the actual expenses method vs HMRC mileage allowance, capital allowances, and how to choose the right approach.
How the HMRC Approved Mileage Allowance Payment (AMAP) rates work for sole traders, what you can claim, how to keep a mileage log, and when the actual cost method is better.
Practical, legal strategies for UK sole traders and freelancers to reduce income tax and National Insurance — from pension contributions and expense claims to timing income and structure choices.
How sole traders and freelancers can claim tax relief for using their home as a workplace — the simplified method, actual cost apportionment, and what HMRC allows.
A complete guide to the VAT Flat Rate Scheme in 2026/27 — how it works, the sector rates, who benefits, the limited cost trader rule, and how to join.
A clear guide to IR35 — what it is, how off-payroll working rules determine your status, what 'inside' and 'outside' really mean financially, and how to protect your position.
How self-employment affects your National Insurance record, how many qualifying years you need for the full new State Pension, and how to fill gaps cheaply.
Everything self-employed people need to know about Class 4 NI — rates, thresholds, when it applies, how it's collected, and how it differs from Class 2.
A plain-English guide to the UK VAT registration threshold, voluntary registration benefits, the Flat Rate Scheme, and what VAT registration means practically for freelancers and small businesses in 2026/27.
The full breakdown of HMRC penalties for missing Self Assessment deadlines — fixed charges, daily fines, percentage surcharges, and how to appeal.
A definitive guide to allowable business expenses for UK sole traders — what you can claim, what you can't, and how to maximise your deductions within HMRC's rules for 2026/27.
Payments on account catch most new self-employed people off guard. This guide explains how they're calculated, when they're due, and how to reduce them if your income drops.
A side-by-side comparison of the real tax differences, admin overhead, and break-even points between operating as a sole trader and incorporating as a limited company in the UK.
The UK's £1,000 trading allowance, when side income triggers Self Assessment, how it stacks on your salary — and what the rules actually mean for eBay, Etsy, Uber, and freelance work.
Every tax deadline a sole trader or freelancer needs to know in 2026/27 — registration, filing, payment, VAT, and what happens if you miss them.
How the Construction Industry Scheme works for subcontractors — registration, deduction rates (20% and 30%), reclaiming overpaid tax, and how CIS interacts with your Self Assessment return.
A clear, jargon-free guide to income tax, Class 4 NI, Self Assessment, and payments on account for UK sole traders — from first principles.
Everything you need to know about registering for Self Assessment with HMRC — who must register, the deadlines, what happens after you register, and common mistakes to avoid.
