Plain-English tax guides tailored to your trade: allowable expenses, Self Assessment, and Making Tax Digital. Find your job below.
Most self-employed tax rules are the same whatever you do, but the expenses you can claim and the schemes that apply differ by trade. A plumber claims tools and the CIS deduction; a YouTuber claims kit and software; a childminder claims a share of household costs. Each guide below is written for one profession so you only see what matters to you.
Once your self-employed income passes £1,000 in a tax year you must register for Self Assessment and file a tax return each year by 31 January.
Tools, materials, mileage, insurance, and a share of home and phone costs all reduce your taxable profit. Keep receipts and log them as you go.
From April 2026, sole traders over £50,000 must keep digital records and send quarterly updates. TapTax handles this automatically.
61 guides covering allowable expenses, Self Assessment, and MTD for your trade.
UK Airbnb tax guide: the GBP 7,500 Rent a Room scheme, the GBP 1,000 property allowance, the abolition of furnished holiday lettings, allowable expenses, VAT and MTD for landlords.
The complete UK tax guide for Uber drivers: gross fares, mileage claims, Uber service fees, VAT, and what MTD for Income Tax means for you.
UK eBay seller tax guide: selling personal items vs trading, the GBP 1,000 trading allowance, eBay fees, the platform reporting rules, VAT and MTD.
Tax guide for self-employed hairdressers: chair rent, allowable expenses, mileage, VAT and MTD for Income Tax explained in plain English.
Everything self-employed taxi and private-hire drivers need to know about tax, mileage vs actual costs, VAT, and Making Tax Digital in 2025/26.
Tax guide for self-employed cleaners in the UK. Learn what income to declare, which cleaning expenses to claim, and how MTD affects you from 2026.
Everything self-employed delivery drivers need to know about tax, mileage claims, allowable expenses and MTD for Income Tax in 2025/26.
UK Etsy seller tax guide: when to declare, Etsy fees, materials and postage expenses, the digital platform reporting rules, VAT and MTD for Income Tax.
CIS deductions, van costs, Gas Safe fees and MTD explained for self-employed plumbers in the UK. 2025/26 rates, worked example included.
CIS deductions, allowable expenses and MTD rules for self-employed electricians in the UK. Plain-English guide with a worked example for 2025/26.
Tax guide for self-employed personal trainers: gym rent, online coaching income, equipment, clothing rules, Scottish tax bands, VAT and MTD for Income Tax.
Tax guide for self-employed private tutors: allowable expenses, tutoring alongside a teaching job, the VAT position on private tuition, student loan repayments and MTD for Income Tax explained.
Complete tax guide for self-employed builders: CIS in both directions, allowable expenses, VAT reverse charge, and MTD for Income Tax from April 2026.
Tax guide for self-employed childminders in the UK: the HMRC time-apportioned use-of-home agreement, food and equipment costs, registration and Ofsted fees, the Child Benefit charge and MTD for Income Tax.
Tax guide for self-employed driving instructors and ADIs: franchise vs independent, the dual-control car, lease vs buy, VAT, allowable expenses and MTD for Income Tax.
Tax guide for self-employed photographers: camera gear and AIA, studio and home costs, wedding deposits, VAT and MTD for Income Tax explained in plain English.
How UK YouTubers pay tax: AdSense payouts, sponsorships, channel memberships, allowable expenses, US withholding, VAT and MTD for Income Tax explained.
Tax guide for self-employed barbers: chair rent, cash and card income, clippers and kit, mobile mileage, VAT and MTD for Income Tax in plain English.
UK tax guide for content creators: brand deals, gifted products, platform payouts, allowable expenses, VAT on overseas income and MTD for Income Tax explained.
Tax guide for self-employed parcel and van couriers: mileage vs van costs, self-billing invoices, hire-and-reward insurance, VAT and MTD for Income Tax in 2025/26.
UK dropshipping tax guide: gross sales vs profit, supplier and ad costs, the GBP 1,000 trading allowance, import VAT and the GBP 90k threshold, plus MTD record-keeping.
Tax guide for IT and software contractors: IR35 and off-payroll rules, limited company vs umbrella, dividend vs salary, day-rate take-home, VAT and MTD explained.
Tax guide for self-employed beauticians: room rent, mobile mileage, treatment products, retail, home salons, insurance, VAT, Scottish bands and MTD for Income Tax.
Tax, CIS, expenses and MTD for self-employed carpenters and joiners. Plain-English guide with a worked example for 2025/26.
Tax guide for self-employed consultants: sole trader vs limited company, IR35 and off-payroll rules, dividend vs salary, allowable expenses, VAT and MTD for Income Tax explained.
Tax guide for self-employed graphic designers: software subscriptions, home-office costs, sole trader vs limited company, VAT and MTD for Income Tax in plain English.
UK influencer tax explained: brand deals, gifted items, affiliate income, allowable expenses, agency commission, VAT and MTD for Income Tax for 2025/26.
Tax, expenses and MTD for self-employed gardeners and landscapers in the UK. Covers CIS on hard landscaping, van costs, tools and the GBP 90k VAT threshold.
UK online seller tax guide across eBay, Etsy, Amazon, Vinted, Depop and Shopify: trading vs personal sales, fees, platform reporting, VAT and MTD.
Tax guide for self-employed handymen: what you owe, every expense you can claim, when CIS applies, and how MTD for Income Tax affects you from April 2026.
Tax guide for self-employed HGV and lorry drivers: overnight subsistence allowance, owner-driver vs agency status, allowable expenses, VAT and MTD for Income Tax.
Tax guide for self-employed musicians: gig income, royalties, PRS/PPL, teaching, instrument and travel expenses, VAT and MTD for Income Tax in 2025/26.
Tax guide for self-employed nail technicians: chair rent, gels and consumables, equipment, closing stock, PPE, VAT, Scottish bands and MTD for Income Tax.
Tax, CIS, expenses and MTD explained for self-employed painters and decorators in the UK. Real worked example, allowable costs and 2025/26 rates.
Tax guide for self-employed and freelance web developers: IR35 and off-payroll rules, sole trader vs limited company, allowable expenses, VAT and MTD explained.
Tax guide for self-employed artists: studio and materials costs, commission income, gallery splits, Artists Resale Right, VAT and MTD for Income Tax.
Tax guide for self-employed and freelance writers: allowable expenses, multiple income streams, royalties and the writers averaging relief, VAT and MTD for Income Tax in plain English.
Tax guide for self-employed makeup artists (MUAs): kit and product costs, travel to bookings, agency commission, VAT and MTD for Income Tax in plain English.
Tax guide for self-employed mobile mechanics: van and mileage rules, parts you buy and re-sell, tool expenses, the VAT trap when you supply parts, and MTD for Income Tax from April 2026.
CIS deductions, allowable expenses and MTD explained for self-employed plasterers. Includes a worked example on £38,000 turnover. Updated for 2025/26.
Everything self-employed roofers need to know about CIS deductions, allowable expenses, VAT on new-build work, and MTD for Income Tax from April 2026.
Tax guide for self-employed actors: agent commission, Spotlight and Equity fees, mixed PAYE and freelance income, mileage, VAT and MTD explained.
CIS deductions, allowable expenses and MTD explained for self-employed bricklayers. Covers trowels to van costs, zero-rated VAT on new-builds, and your tax bill.
Tax guide for self-employed dog walkers in the UK: mileage as your biggest deduction, licensing and insurance, pet-sitting and daycare income, combining multiple income streams, VAT and MTD for Income Tax.
Tax guide for self-employed therapists and counsellors: room hire, supervision, CPD, professional body fees, the healthcare VAT exemption, Scottish bands and MTD for Income Tax.
Tax guide for self-employed virtual assistants: allowable expenses, home-office and tech costs, retainers and multiple clients, VAT, payments on account and MTD for Income Tax explained.
Tax, expenses and MTD explained for self-employed window cleaners. Claim your water-fed pole system, van costs and round software correctly.
Tax guide for self-employed yoga teachers: studio hire, teacher-training costs, props and equipment, retreat income, the private-tuition VAT angle and MTD for Income Tax.
Tax guide for self-employed chefs and caterers: food cost of sales, kitchen and equipment expenses, mileage to events, the catering VAT rules on hot and cold food, and MTD for Income Tax from April 2026.
Tax guide for self-employed tattoo artists: studio commission splits, deposits, machines and inks, licensing, VAT and MTD for Income Tax in plain English.
Tax, CIS deductions and allowable expenses for self-employed tilers in 2025/26. Plain-English guide covering adhesive, tools, van costs and MTD.
Tax guide for self-employed copywriters: allowable expenses, freelancing alongside a job, retainers and payments on account, student loans, VAT and MTD for Income Tax explained.
Tax guide for self-employed dog groomers in the UK: salon vs mobile-van expenses, grooming equipment and the Annual Investment Allowance, van and mileage costs, VAT and MTD for Income Tax.
Tax guide for self-employed fitness coaches: online programmes, group sessions, qualifications, kit, multiple income streams, Scottish bands, VAT and MTD for Income Tax.
Tax guide for self-employed scaffolders: CIS deductions, allowable expenses (tube, fittings, CISRS), VAT reverse charge, and MTD for Income Tax explained.
UK tax guide for self-employed DJs: gig fees, equipment, mileage to venues, music and software costs, VAT and MTD for Income Tax explained for 2025/26.
Tax guide for self-employed accountants and bookkeepers: software and AML supervision costs, professional indemnity insurance, sole trader vs limited company, VAT, and MTD as both a taxpayer and an agent.
Tax guide for self-employed and locum physiotherapists: clinic costs, equipment, HCPC and CSP fees, home-visit mileage, the medical-care VAT exemption, Scottish bands and MTD.
Tax guide for self-employed social media managers: allowable expenses, ad spend and pass-through costs, gifted products, sole trader vs limited company, VAT and MTD for Income Tax explained.
Tax guide for self-employed videographers and filmmakers: camera and drone gear, project income, multiple income streams, VAT and MTD for Income Tax in plain English.
Tax guide for self-employed wedding planners: how deposits and staged payments are taxed, agent vs principal and the VAT trap on supplier costs you re-charge, home-office and allowable expenses, and MTD for Income Tax from April 2026.
Choose the guide that matches your trade. If yours is not listed, pick the nearest one -- the core registration, expenses, and MTD rules are shared across all self-employed work.
Each guide lists the deductions specific to that job. Keep receipts and log expenses as you go so you can claim everything you are entitled to and lower your tax bill.
Use the linked calculators to estimate your tax, then let TapTax keep digital records and file quarterly updates automatically ahead of the April 2026 MTD deadline.
TapTax connects to your bank, categorises expenses automatically, and submits quarterly updates to HMRC. Free plan, no card required.
