Self-Employed Tax UK: Income Tax, NICs & Filing
Complete guide to taxes for self-employed people in the UK. Income tax bands, National Insurance, payments on account, and Self Assessment.
Income Tax Bands (2026/27)
UK income tax rates: • £0-£12,570 — 0% (Personal Allowance) • £12,571-£50,270 — 20% (Basic rate) • £50,271-£125,140 — 40% (Higher rate) • Above £125,140 — 45% (Additional rate)
Personal allowance tapers: reduced by £1 for every £2 earned over £100,000. At £125,140, it's zero.
National Insurance
Self-employed NICs: • Class 2: £3.45/week if profits above £12,570 • Class 4: 6% on profits between £12,570 and £50,270, plus 2% above £50,270
NICs fund state pension, maternity, and bereavement benefits.
Self Assessment
Key deadlines: • October 5: Register for Self Assessment (new businesses) • October 31: Paper tax return deadline • January 31: Online return + payment of tax due • July 31: Second payment on account
Payments on account: if your tax bill exceeds £1,000, HMRC requires advance payments equal to 50% of last year's bill each in January and July.
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