An introduction to the tax system for the self employed
Lewis Brownlee can advise self employed people in the West Sussex area on all aspects of tax – here is an overview of some of the main things to consider.
Registering with HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC)
If you start working for yourself, you must register with HMRC by 5 October following the end of the tax year in which your self employment starts, otherwise you may be liable to a penalty based on the tax due to HMRC.
There are three ways that you can register:
Once you become self-employed, the tax rules are quite different from those that may have applied when you were an employee. Instead of tax (and national insurance) being deducted from your earnings at source, you must be prepared to receive a bill at some time in the future. This can be a nasty shock if you haven’t put enough money aside.
We aim to give you as much warning as possible of the likely timing and amount of tax payments, but it is not easy to do this during the first year of your new business, or if you do not keep your records up to date.
What profits do HMRC tax?
The starting point for the calculation of taxable profits is your profit and loss account. In calculating taxable profits you are entitled to claim deductions from your business income in respect of any expenses incurred for the purposes of trade (with a few minor exceptions).
For most of the equipment you buy for your business, you will be entitled to deduct the full cost (up to £1 million). For most cars, you can deduct only a proportion of the cost for each year you own them and use them in the business.
If you take stock out of the business for your own use, this should be shown as a sale at market value in the accounts, and not at original cost. It may be better to show the original purchase as private expenditure (drawings).
Tax is payable on the whole of the profits of a trade, and so payments for your own ‘wages’ (drawings) are not deductible. However, if your spouse works in the business, their wages are an allowable deduction, provided they are actually paid and represent a reasonable reward for what is done.
There are other adjustments to profit for tax purposes which we can discuss with you in more detail. There is also the opportunity to claim certain flat rate deductions; for example, if you operate your business out of your home.
How does HMRC allocate profit to tax years?
From 2024/25, tax will be charged on the profits actually arising in the tax year so from 6 April 2024 to 5 April 2025. This will mean that if your business has an accounting date other than a date falling between 31 March and 5 April, the profits from two sets of accounts will need to be apportioned to calculate the profits relating to the tax year. If the accounts have not been finalised provisional figures may be used.
How is the tax collected?
Tax returns
Assuming the business starts to trade in 2024/25, tax returns covering income for the year ending 5 April 2025 will have to be submitted to HMRC by the ‘filing date’ which is 31 October 2025 for paper returns and 31 January 2026 for online returns. The return will include a self assessment of your liability to income tax and capital gains tax.
There are automatic penalties for late filing of tax returns.
Payment of tax
Payments on account of income tax and Class 4 national insurance contributions (NICs) for 2024/25 will be due on 31 January 2025 and 31 July 2025. These interim payments will be based on one half of the total liability (less any tax deducted at source) for 2023/24. You will have the right to reduce payments on account if you believe the income tax for 2024/25 will be lower.
The balance of income tax for 2024/25 is due on 31 January 2026 (along with the first payment on account for 2025/26 and any capital gains tax for 2024/25).
If the business only started to trade in 2024/25 and amounts payable for 2023/24 under Self Assessment were either less than £1,000 or you paid more than 80% of your liability via deduction at source (eg through PAYE on your salary) then you should not have to make payment on account. In this case the due date for payment for 2024/25 will be 31 January 2026.
Interest and penalties will be levied for late payment.
What about national insurance?
From 6 April 2024 self-employed people with profits above £12,570 will no longer be required to pay Class 2 NICs but will continue to receive access to contributory benefits, including the State Pension.
Those with profits between £6,725 and £12,570 will continue to get access to contributory benefits, including the State Pension, through a National Insurance credit without paying NICs.
Those with profits under £6,725 and others who pay Class 2 NICs voluntarily to get access to contributory benefits including the State Pension, will continue to be able to do so at a rate of £3.45 per week.
Profits between £12,570 and £50,270 are subject to Class 4 NICs at a rate of 6%. Any excess of profit above £50,270 is subject to Class 4 NICs at the rate of 2%, without any upper limit. Class 4 NICs are collected by HMRC and are payable at the same time as the instalments of income tax.
Save for your tax
It is essential that you make proper provision to ensure the availability of funds to pay income tax and Class 4 national insurance. Interest on unpaid tax is chargeable by HMRC, and is not deductible from business profits.
Cash basis for small businesses
In order to try to simplify the calculation of taxable income for small businesses, HMRC previously had introduced an optional alternative system for eligible unincorporated businesses. Such businesses may calculate taxable income figures on a simpler cash basis if this suits the business. They will not have to compile figures of debtors, creditors and stock, or distinguish between ‘capital’ and ‘revenue’ expenditure and will not have to compute capital allowances to arrive at taxable income.
Cash basis is the default position from 2024/25 onwards with an alternative to opt for the accruals basis.
If you are self-employed in the West Sussex area and would like advice on tax or any other business issue, contact Lewis Brownlee.