Self-Employed Tax Guidance

Tax Guides for Self-Employed Workers

Explore practical guidance for sole traders and self-employed workers covering allowable business expenses, mileage, vehicles, tools, working from home, record keeping, Self Assessment and Making Tax Digital.

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Understand your business expenses and tax responsibilities

Self-employed tax works differently from PAYE employment tax relief. Instead of claiming employee expenses, self-employed individuals generally need to identify eligible business costs when calculating their taxable business profit. The rules depend on the expense, how it is used and your individual circumstances.

Employed through PAYE or working under CIS? Visit our PAYE Tax Hub or CIS Tax Hub for guidance tailored to those situations.

Browse by topic

Self-Employed Expense Guides

Explore the common business expenses and tax topics that self-employed workers and sole traders need to understand.

Allowable Expenses

Understand the types of business costs that may be deductible when calculating your self-employed taxable profit.

View Allowable Expenses Guide →

Mileage & Fuel

Guidance on business journeys, vehicle costs, mileage records and the distinction between business and private travel.

View Mileage Guide →

Vans & Vehicles

Explore the tax considerations around vans, cars and other vehicles used for self-employed business purposes.

View Vehicle Guide →

Tools & Equipment

Guidance covering tools, machinery, computers and equipment purchased for use in your business.

View Tools Guide →

Mobile Phone & Internet

Understand how business and private use can affect phone, broadband and communication costs.

View Phone & Internet Guide →

Working From Home

Guidance on home-working costs when part of your home is used for your self-employed business.

View Home Working Guide →

Insurance & Professional Costs

Explore business insurance, professional fees, subscriptions and other costs connected with running your business.

View Professional Cost Guide →

Travel & Subsistence

Understand when business travel, accommodation and certain subsistence costs may need to be considered.

View Travel Guide →

Running your tax affairs

Self Assessment, Records & Digital Tax

Good records and an understanding of your reporting responsibilities are just as important as identifying business expenses.

Record Keeping

Guidance on maintaining organised records of business income, expenses, invoices and supporting evidence.

Self Assessment

Understand the Self Assessment process and how self-employed income and expenses are reported.

Making Tax Digital

Learn how digital record keeping and HMRC's Making Tax Digital requirements may affect self-employed individuals.

Bookkeeping

Practical guidance on keeping business finances organised throughout the tax year.

Find your starting point

Not sure which self-employed guide you need?

Choose the situation that most closely matches what you need help understanding.

I want to know what expenses I can claim

Start with the Self-Employed Allowable Expenses Guide .

I drive or travel for my business

Start with our Mileage & Fuel Guide .

I need help with my tax return

Read our Self Assessment Guide or view our Self Assessment service.

I need to understand Making Tax Digital

Visit our Making Tax Digital service and guidance page .

Self Assessment Support

Need help managing your self-employed tax return?

Go Tax Refunds provides Self Assessment support for self-employed individuals and sole traders. Our team can help you organise your information, review relevant business expenses and prepare your return for submission to HMRC.