Business Calculators UK 2025/26 | Free Tools for UK Companies

Free UK business calculators for 2025/26. Calculate VAT, corporation tax, profit margins, break-even analysis, mileage claims and more. Updated with latest HMRC rates.

Business Calculators UK 2025/26

Free professional tools for UK businesses. Calculate VAT, corporation tax, profit margins, break-even points, and mileage claims with HMRC-compliant calculators.

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VAT Calculator

Add or remove VAT at 20% standard rate. Calculate net and gross amounts instantly with our HMRC-compliant tool.

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Corporation Tax Calculator

Calculate corporation tax for limited companies. Includes marginal relief for profits between £50,000-£250,000.

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Break Even Calculator

Find your break-even point to understand when your business becomes profitable. Essential for pricing decisions.

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Business Rates Calculator

Estimate your business rates liability based on rateable value and available reliefs.

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Mileage Calculator

Calculate business mileage claims using HMRC approved rates. Track expenses for tax purposes.

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Self-Employed Tax Calculator

Calculate income tax and National Insurance for self-employed individuals. Updated for 2025/26.

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Profit Margin Calculator

Calculate gross and net profit margins. Understand your business profitability at a glance.

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Employer NI Calculator

Calculate employer National Insurance contributions at the new 15% rate for 2025/26.

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Complete Guide to UK Business Calculators

Running a successful business in the United Kingdom requires accurate financial calculations for tax compliance, strategic pricing decisions, and comprehensive profitability analysis. Our free business calculators are specifically designed for UK companies, limited liability partnerships, sole traders, and self-employed professionals operating under HMRC regulations.

The 2025/26 tax year has introduced significant changes that affect businesses of all sizes. The increase in employer National Insurance contributions to 15% and the reduction of the secondary threshold to £5,000 means that accurate payroll calculations are more important than ever. Our calculators incorporate these latest changes to ensure your business remains compliant whilst optimising your tax position.

Understanding UK Business Structures

Before diving into calculations, it's essential to understand how different business structures are taxed in the UK:

Sole Traders

  • Pay Income Tax on all profits
  • Pay Class 2 NI (£3.45/week) and Class 4 NI
  • File Self Assessment tax return
  • Personal liability for business debts
  • Simpler accounting requirements

Limited Companies

  • Pay Corporation Tax on profits
  • Directors pay Income Tax on salary/dividends
  • File Company Tax Return (CT600)
  • Limited liability protection
  • Must file accounts at Companies House

Key Business Tax Rates 2025/26

The following table provides a comprehensive overview of the tax rates that affect UK businesses in the current tax year:

Tax TypeRateThreshold/Notes
VAT Standard Rate20%Most goods and services
VAT Reduced Rate5%Home energy, child car seats, mobility aids
VAT Zero Rate0%Food, children's clothing, books, public transport
VAT Registration Threshold£90,000Compulsory registration above this turnover
Corporation Tax (Main Rate)25%Profits over £250,000
Corporation Tax (Small Profits)19%Profits under £50,000
Corporation Tax (Marginal)19-25%Profits £50,000-£250,000
Employer NI Rate15%Above £5,000 threshold (increased from 13.8%)
Employment Allowance£10,500Reduces employer NI liability
Dividend Allowance£500Tax-free dividend income
April 2025 Changes: Employer National Insurance increased from 13.8% to 15%, and the secondary threshold dropped from £9,100 to £5,000 per year. However, the Employment Allowance increased from £5,000 to £10,500, providing relief for smaller employers. Businesses with employer NI under £100,000 in the previous tax year can claim this allowance.

VAT Schemes for Small Businesses

HMRC offers several VAT schemes designed to simplify accounting for small businesses. Understanding which scheme suits your business can save both time and money:

Flat Rate Scheme

The Flat Rate Scheme allows businesses with VAT-taxable turnover of £150,000 or less to pay a fixed percentage of their gross turnover to HMRC, rather than calculating VAT on every transaction. The percentage varies by business sector, ranging from 4% for food retailers to 14.5% for architects. First-year businesses receive a 1% discount. This scheme simplifies record-keeping significantly but may not be beneficial if you have substantial VAT-able purchases.

Cash Accounting Scheme

Under the Cash Accounting Scheme, you only account for VAT when you receive payment from customers, rather than when you invoice them. This is particularly beneficial for businesses with cash flow concerns or those that regularly deal with late-paying customers. The turnover limit is £1.35 million to join, though you can remain in the scheme until turnover exceeds £1.6 million.

Annual Accounting Scheme

The Annual Accounting Scheme allows you to submit just one VAT return per year instead of quarterly returns. You make interim payments throughout the year based on your previous year's VAT liability, with a balancing payment at year-end. This reduces administrative burden and helps with cash flow planning. Businesses with turnover up to £1.35 million can join.

HMRC Mileage Allowances Explained

When employees or self-employed individuals use their personal vehicles for business travel, HMRC provides approved mileage rates that can be claimed tax-free:

Vehicle TypeFirst 10,000 MilesOver 10,000 Miles
Cars and Vans45p per mile25p per mile
Motorcycles24p per mile24p per mile
Bicycles20p per mile20p per mile
Passenger Payments5p per mile5p per mile

It's important to note that these rates cover fuel, insurance, road tax, MOT, servicing, and depreciation. You cannot claim these expenses separately if you're using the mileage allowance. For company car users, only the fuel element can be claimed using HMRC's advisory fuel rates.

Allowable Business Expenses Guide

Understanding which expenses are tax-deductible is crucial for minimising your tax liability legally. HMRC allows businesses to deduct expenses that are "wholly and exclusively" for business purposes:

Common Allowable Expenses

  • Office supplies and stationery
  • Business travel and accommodation
  • Professional subscriptions
  • Accountancy and legal fees
  • Insurance premiums
  • Bank charges and interest
  • Marketing and advertising
  • Training directly related to business
  • Software subscriptions
  • Telephone and internet (business portion)

Working from Home Allowances

  • Simplified method: £6/week (£26/month) without receipts
  • Actual costs method: proportion of household bills
  • Includes heating, electricity, council tax
  • Mortgage interest or rent (business proportion)
  • Home insurance (business proportion)
  • Repairs to home office area
  • Dedicated business phone line
  • Business broadband costs
Capital vs Revenue Expenses: Equipment costing over £1,000 is typically treated as capital expenditure and claimed through Annual Investment Allowance (AIA) rather than as a direct expense. The AIA limit is £1,000,000, allowing most businesses to claim the full cost of equipment in the year of purchase.

Corporation Tax Marginal Relief Calculation

For companies with profits between £50,000 and £250,000, marginal relief applies. This creates an effective rate between 19% and 25%. The formula is:

Marginal Relief = (Upper Limit - Profits) × (Profits - Lower Limit) / Profits × 3/200

For example, a company with £150,000 profits would pay approximately £33,750 in Corporation Tax (an effective rate of 22.5%). Our Corporation Tax Calculator handles these complex calculations automatically, including adjustments for associated companies that share the thresholds.

Key Business Tax Deadlines

Missing tax deadlines can result in penalties and interest charges. Here are the critical dates for UK businesses:

Tax TypeDeadlinePenalty for Late Filing
Self Assessment (Online)31 January£100 initial, escalating to £1,600+
Corporation Tax Payment9 months + 1 day after year endInterest charges from due date
Corporation Tax Return12 months after year end£100 (3 months), £200 (6 months)
VAT Returns (Quarterly)1 month + 7 days after quarter endSurcharge 2-15% of VAT due
PAYE/NI (Monthly)22nd of following month1-4% of amount due
Annual Accounts (Companies House)9 months after year end£150-£1,500 depending on delay

Why Our Business Calculators Are Trusted

  • HMRC Compliant: All calculations strictly follow current HMRC guidelines, rates, and legislation
  • Instantly Updated: Rates and thresholds updated within 24 hours of any Budget announcements or legislative changes
  • Completely Free: No registration required, no usage limits, no hidden costs
  • Privacy Focused: All calculations performed locally in your browser - your financial data never leaves your device
  • Mobile Optimised: Fully responsive design works seamlessly on smartphones, tablets, and desktop computers
  • Professionally Verified: Calculations reviewed by qualified accountants and updated for accuracy
  • Comprehensive Results: Detailed breakdowns showing exactly how each figure is calculated

Common Business Calculation Formulas

Understanding the mathematics behind business calculations helps you make informed decisions:

  • VAT Addition: Net Amount × 1.20 = Gross Amount (at 20% VAT)
  • VAT Removal: Gross Amount ÷ 1.20 = Net Amount (at 20% VAT)
  • VAT Element: Gross Amount ÷ 6 = VAT Amount (quick calculation)
  • Gross Profit Margin: (Revenue - Cost of Goods Sold) ÷ Revenue × 100
  • Net Profit Margin: Net Profit ÷ Revenue × 100
  • Break-Even Units: Fixed Costs ÷ (Selling Price - Variable Cost per Unit)
  • Break-Even Revenue: Fixed Costs ÷ Contribution Margin Ratio
  • Markup Percentage: (Selling Price - Cost) ÷ Cost × 100

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current UK VAT rate for 2025/26?
The standard UK VAT rate for 2025/26 is 20%. There's also a reduced rate of 5% for certain goods like home energy, children's car seats, and mobility aids. The zero rate (0%) applies to essentials like most food items, children's clothing, books, and public transport. The VAT registration threshold is £90,000 annual turnover, meaning businesses must register when their taxable turnover exceeds this amount in any 12-month period.
What is the Corporation Tax rate for UK businesses in 2025/26?
UK Corporation Tax rates for 2025/26 operate on a tiered system: the 25% main rate applies to profits over £250,000, while the 19% small profits rate applies to profits under £50,000. For profits between £50,000 and £250,000, marginal relief applies, creating an effective rate between 19% and 25%. These thresholds are shared between associated companies, so if you control multiple companies, the limits are divided accordingly.
How do I calculate break-even point for my business?
Break-even point = Fixed Costs ÷ (Selling Price - Variable Cost per Unit). For example, if your fixed costs are £10,000 per month, your selling price is £50 per unit, and your variable cost is £30 per unit, your break-even point is 500 units (£10,000 ÷ £20). This means you need to sell 500 units to cover all your costs before making any profit. Understanding your break-even point is essential for pricing decisions and business planning.
What is the HMRC mileage allowance for business travel?
HMRC Approved Mileage Allowance Payments (AMAP) for 2025/26 are: Cars and vans - 45p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles, then 25p per mile thereafter. Motorcycles - 24p per mile for all miles. Bicycles - 20p per mile for all miles. Additionally, you can claim 5p per mile for each business passenger. These rates can be claimed tax-free when using personal vehicles for business travel and cover all running costs including fuel, insurance, and maintenance.
What VAT schemes are available for small businesses in the UK?
UK small businesses can benefit from several VAT schemes: The Flat Rate Scheme offers simplified percentage-based calculations for businesses under £150,000 turnover. The Cash Accounting Scheme lets you pay VAT when customers pay you rather than when you invoice. The Annual Accounting Scheme allows one annual VAT return instead of quarterly submissions. The Margin Scheme is available for second-hand goods dealers. Each scheme has specific eligibility criteria and may benefit different business types.
What expenses can I claim as a self-employed person in the UK?
Self-employed individuals can claim allowable business expenses that are "wholly and exclusively" for business purposes, including: office costs and supplies, business travel and subsistence, professional uniforms or protective clothing, staff wages and subcontractor costs, stock and raw materials, financial costs like bank charges and loan interest, business premises costs, advertising and marketing, relevant training courses, and a proportion of household bills if working from home (either £6/week simplified or actual costs calculated).
What is the Employment Allowance and who can claim it?
The Employment Allowance for 2025/26 is £10,500 per year, which directly reduces your employer Class 1 National Insurance liability. To claim, your employer NI bill must have been under £100,000 in the previous tax year. Single-director companies with no other employees cannot claim. The allowance was increased from £5,000 to help offset the increased employer NI rate. It's claimed through your payroll software and applied automatically throughout the year.
What are the key dates for UK business tax deadlines?
Critical UK business tax deadlines include: Self Assessment registration by 5 October after your first tax year of self-employment. Online Self Assessment filing by 31 January following the tax year. Corporation Tax payment due 9 months and 1 day after your accounting period ends. Corporation Tax return due 12 months after the accounting period ends. VAT returns typically due one month and 7 days after each quarter end under Making Tax Digital. PAYE/NI payments due by the 22nd of the following month for electronic payments.

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Essential business calculations for profit margins, markup, break-even and more.

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Payroll Calculator

Calculate employee payroll costs including gross pay, deductions and employer costs.

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Essential UK Business Compliance and Regulations

Running a business in the UK means complying with a range of regulatory requirements overseen by multiple government bodies. Companies House requires all limited companies to file annual accounts and a confirmation statement, with penalties starting at 150 pounds for late filing. HMRC manages tax compliance including Corporation Tax, PAYE, VAT, and National Insurance obligations. Understanding these requirements is essential for avoiding penalties and maintaining good standing.

The UK business landscape in 2025/26 is shaped by significant changes to employer costs. The increase in employer National Insurance to 15% with a reduced secondary threshold of 5,000 pounds, offset partially by the Employment Allowance rising to 10,500 pounds, means accurate payroll calculations are more critical than ever. Our business calculators are designed to handle these complexities automatically, ensuring your calculations reflect the very latest HMRC rates and thresholds.

Frequently Asked Business Questions

Do I need to register my business with Companies House?
You must register with Companies House if you operate as a limited company (Ltd), limited liability partnership (LLP), or public limited company (PLC). Sole traders and ordinary partnerships do not need to register with Companies House but must register with HMRC for Self Assessment. Registration as a limited company costs 12 pounds online and typically takes 24 hours. You will receive a Certificate of Incorporation and your company will be assigned a unique Company Registration Number (CRN).
What is Making Tax Digital (MTD) and does it affect my business?
Making Tax Digital is HMRC's initiative to digitise the UK tax system. Since April 2022, all VAT-registered businesses must use MTD-compatible software for VAT returns. From April 2026, MTD for Income Tax Self Assessment will apply to self-employed individuals and landlords with income over 50,000 pounds, with the threshold dropping to 30,000 pounds from April 2027. Businesses should ensure they use HMRC-recognised software such as Xero, QuickBooks, FreeAgent, or Sage to remain compliant.
Should I operate as a sole trader or limited company?
The best structure depends on your circumstances. Sole traders benefit from simpler administration, lower setup costs, and privacy (no public accounts). Limited companies offer liability protection, potential tax efficiency through salary and dividend combinations, and greater credibility with some clients. Generally, if your profits exceed 30,000-40,000 pounds, a limited company may be more tax-efficient due to the Corporation Tax rate of 19-25% versus income tax rates of 20-45%. Use our Self-Employed Tax Calculator and Corporation Tax Calculator to compare the numbers for your specific situation.