UK Self-Employed Tax Calculator 2026: Income Tax, NI & Take-Home Pay
UK self-employed tax calculator 2026 — worked examples at £30,000, £50,000 and £80,000 profits.
CT
Chandraketu Tripathi
Finance Editor, Kaeltripton
Published8 Apr 2026
Last reviewed14 May 2026
✓ Fact-checked
Illustrative image. AI-generated and does not depict real people, places or events.
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⚡ Self-Employed Tax 2026-27 — Updated April 2026 Income Tax: 20%/40%/45% | Class 4 NI: 6% (£12,570–£50,270) + 2% above | Class 2 NI: £3.45/week | Personal Allowance: £12,570
As a self-employed person in the UK, you pay income tax and National Insurance through Self Assessment. Understanding your tax bill in advance helps you budget effectively.
Self-Employed Tax Rates UK 2026-27
Tax
Rate
On What Income
Income Tax — Personal Allowance
0%
First £12,570
Income Tax — Basic Rate
20%
£12,571 to £50,270
Income Tax — Higher Rate
40%
£50,271 to £125,140
Income Tax — Additional Rate
45%
Above £125,140
Class 4 NI
6%
Profits between £12,570 and £50,270
Class 4 NI — higher
2%
Profits above £50,270
Class 2 NI
£3.45/week
Profits above £12,570
Tax Calculation Examples UK 2026-27
Profits of £30,000
Component
Calculation
Amount
Income Tax (20%)
(£30,000 − £12,570) × 20%
£3,486
Class 4 NI (6%)
(£30,000 − £12,570) × 6%
£1,045.80
Class 2 NI
£3.45 × 52 weeks
£179.40
Total tax & NI
£4,711.20
Take-home
£30,000 − £4,711.20
£25,288.80
Profits of £50,000
Component
Calculation
Amount
Income Tax (20%)
(£50,000 − £12,570) × 20%
£7,486
Class 4 NI (6%)
(£50,000 − £12,570) × 6%
£2,245.80
Class 2 NI
£3.45 × 52
£179.40
Total tax & NI
£9,911.20
Take-home
£50,000 − £9,911.20
£40,088.80
Profits of £80,000
Component
Calculation
Amount
Income Tax (20%)
(£50,270 − £12,570) × 20%
£7,540
Income Tax (40%)
(£80,000 − £50,270) × 40%
£11,892
Class 4 NI (6%)
(£50,270 − £12,570) × 6%
£2,262
Class 4 NI (2%)
(£80,000 − £50,270) × 2%
£594.60
Class 2 NI
£3.45 × 52
£179.40
Total tax & NI
£22,468
Take-home
£80,000 − £22,468
£57,532
Allowable Expenses UK 2026
Expense
Examples
HMRC Rules
Office costs
Stationery, postage, printer ink
100% if solely for business
Travel
Fuel, train fares (not commuting)
Business journeys only
Home office
£10–£26/month (simplified)
Based on hours worked at home
Equipment
Laptop, tools, camera
Annual Investment Allowance covers most
Professional fees
Accountant, subscriptions
100% allowable
Training
Courses related to current work
Must relate to existing business
Self Assessment Key Dates 2026-27
Deadline
What Happens
5 October 2026
Register for Self Assessment if new to it
31 October 2026
Paper Self Assessment return deadline
31 January 2027
Online return + pay 2025-26 tax bill
31 January 2027
First payment on account for 2026-27
31 July 2027
Second payment on account for 2026-27
How much tax do self-employed people pay in the UK?
Self-employed people pay 20% Income Tax on profits £12,570–£50,270, 40% on £50,271–£125,140, and 45% above. Plus Class 4 NI at 6% (£12,570–£50,270) and 2% above, and Class 2 NI at £3.45/week.
What is the tax-free allowance for self-employed in 2026?
The Personal Allowance is £12,570 in 2026-27. You pay no Income Tax on the first £12,570 of annual profit.
When do self-employed people pay tax?
Online Self Assessment returns and tax payments are due 31 January after the tax year ends. Payments on account (advance payments) are due 31 January and 31 July.
What expenses can self-employed people claim?
Allowable expenses include office costs, business travel (not commuting), equipment, marketing, professional fees, a proportion of phone bills, and training courses related to your current work.
The content on Kaeltripton.com is for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute financial, investment, tax, legal or regulatory advice. Kaeltripton.com is not authorised or regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and is not a financial adviser, mortgage broker, insurance intermediary or investment firm. Nothing on this site should be construed as a personal recommendation. Rates, figures and product details are indicative only, subject to change without notice, and should always be verified directly with the relevant provider, HMRC, the FCA register, the Bank of England, Ofgem or other appropriate authority before any financial decision is made. Past performance is not a reliable indicator of future results. If you require regulated financial advice, please consult a qualified adviser authorised by the FCA.
CT
Chandraketu Tripathi
Finance Editor · Kaeltripton.com
Chandraketu (CK) Tripathi, founder and lead editor of Kael Tripton. 22 years in finance and marketing across 23 markets. Writes on UK personal finance, tax, mortgages, insurance, energy, and investing. Sources: HMRC, FCA, Ofgem, BoE, ONS.
