Know what HMRC expects before you file. As a self-employed person in the UK, you are responsible for Income Tax and National Insurance contributions. Miss a payment or underestimate your liability, and you will face interest charges and potential penalties.
This calculator estimates your annual tax bill based on your self-employment income. Enter your expected profit, and see exactly how much to set aside for Income Tax, Class 2 NI, and Class 4 NI, broken down by component.
No registration. No spreadsheets. Just accurate estimates using current HMRC rates, built to help UK freelancers stay ahead of their tax obligations.
Calculate Your UK Self-Employment Tax
Enter your annual profit to see what you owe
This calculator uses the official 2024/25 Income Tax bands and National Insurance rates published by HMRC. It provides estimates for planning purposes. For exact figures, especially with multiple income sources, pension contributions, or Gift Aid, consult an accountant or use HMRC's official tax estimation tools.
You must register by 5 October following the tax year you started self-employment. If you became self-employed on 1 June 2024, register by 5 October 2025. Register at gov.uk/register-for-self-assessment or call HMRC. Late registration can result in penalties.
Turnover is your total business income (all invoices paid). Profit is turnover minus allowable business expenses. You pay tax on profit, not turnover. If you invoice £50,000 but have £15,000 in legitimate business expenses, your taxable profit is £35,000.
You must register for VAT if your taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in any 12-month period (threshold from April 2024). Below this, registration is optional but can be beneficial if you primarily sell to VAT-registered businesses, as you can reclaim VAT on purchases.
Self Assessment tax returns for the year ending 5 April must be filed by 31 January the following year (online). The tax owed is also due 31 January. If your bill exceeds £1,000, you also pay Payments on Account on 31 January and 31 July toward next year's estimated bill.
The Personal Allowance (£12,570 for 2024/25) is the amount you can earn before paying Income Tax. It reduces by £1 for every £2 of income over £100,000, reaching zero at £125,140. This creates an effective 60% tax rate for income between £100,000 and £125,140.
Claim all allowable business expenses, make pension contributions (they reduce taxable income), and consider the Trading Allowance if your income is under £1,000. Keep detailed records. Many freelancers pay more tax than necessary by failing to track deductible expenses properly.
Not legally required, but often worth it. A good accountant typically saves more in tax than their fees through identifying deductions you missed. They also handle the compliance burden. Consider software like FreeAgent or Xero for basic bookkeeping, with accountant review at year-end.
HMRC charges interest on late payments (currently 7.75% annually) plus penalties. Late filing penalties: £100 immediately, daily penalties after 3 months, then percentage-based. Late payment penalties: 5% of tax unpaid at 30 days, 6 months, and 12 months. Always file on time even if you cannot pay in full.
No. All calculations happen in your browser using JavaScript. We do not store, transmit, or access any income figures you enter. The data is gone when you close the tab. This tool is for convenience; always verify calculations with HMRC or an accountant before paying.
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