Freelancer Tax Calculator — UK 2025/26 & 2026/27
Contractor, consultant, or creative — know exactly what you owe HMRC. Income tax, NI, expenses, and take-home pay.
100% Free Calculation
Full tax calculation with band breakdown. No signup needed. Only pay if you want the PDF report.
HMRC 2025/26 & 2026/27 Rates
All tax bands, NI thresholds, and allowances verified against current HMRC published rates.
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Built for people who hate tax forms.
Whether you're freelancing, renting out property, or driving for Uber.
Freelancers
Claim every expense you're entitled to. Know exactly how much to save each month.
Landlords
Calculate rental profit correctly after mortgage interest, repairs, and insurance.
Side Hustlers
Uber, Etsy, Deliveroo — find out if you need to file and what you can claim.
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Freelancer Tax Calculator
UK 2025/26 & 2026/27
Contractor, consultant, or creative — know exactly what you owe HMRC. Income tax, NI, expenses, and take-home pay.
How freelancer tax works.
You're taxed on net profit — revenue minus allowable expenses. £12,570 personal allowance, then income tax and NI on the rest.
Personal Allowance
£12,570
Tax-free
Basic Rate
20%
Up to £50,270
Higher Rate
40%
Up to £125,140
Additional Rate
45%
Above £125,140
Do freelancers pay more tax than employees?
Not necessarily. A freelancer and an employee on the same income pay the same income tax, but the National Insurance differs: employees pay Class 1 NI through PAYE, while freelancers pay Class 4 NI at 6% on profit between £12,571 and £50,270 (then 2% above). Because Class 2 NI was abolished in April 2024, a self-employed freelancer often pays slightly less NI than an equivalent employee. The trade-off is that you pay it yourself through Self Assessment rather than having it deducted automatically — so setting money aside each month matters.
Working through a limited company? The IR35 (off-payroll) rules decide whether a contract is taxed like employment. This calculator covers sole-trader and self-employed freelance income; income taxed inside IR35 through your own company is treated differently and is not modelled here.
Worked example · freelancer with 3 clients
- Invoices across all clients£55,000
- Less allowable expenses£7,000
- Profit → less personal allowance → taxable£35,430
- Income tax — 20% × £35,430£7,086.00
- Class 4 NI — 6% × £35,430£2,125.80
- Total tax + NI£9,211.80
- Take-home pay£38,788.20
Built & maintained by Omkar Sarswat · figures reviewed against HMRC guidance, April 2026.
Common questions. Clear answers.
How much tax does a freelancer pay in the UK?+
Freelancers pay income tax at 20% (basic), 40% (higher), or 45% (additional) on taxable profits, plus Class 4 National Insurance — 6% on profit between £12,571 and £50,270, then 2% above £50,270. Your first £12,570 (the personal allowance) is tax-free. Class 2 NI was abolished for the self-employed from 6 April 2024, so there is no flat weekly charge.
What expenses can freelancers claim?+
Freelancers can claim any expense "wholly and exclusively" for business: office supplies, software subscriptions, travel, phone/internet, professional development, accountancy fees, insurance, marketing, and equipment. Home office costs can be claimed using the simplified flat rate or actual proportion method.
Do freelancers need to register for Self Assessment?+
Yes, if your freelance income exceeds £1,000 in a tax year. You must register with HMRC by 5 October following the end of the tax year in which you started freelancing. You can register online at gov.uk.
Can I freelance and be employed at the same time?+
Yes. Your employment income uses your personal allowance and is taxed via PAYE. Your freelance profits are added on top and taxed at the relevant rate. You will need to file a Self Assessment return to declare both income sources.