Podcast Income Calculator

Calculate your podcast income from advertising, sponsorships, and memberships — then work out how much tax you'll owe as a UK self-employed creator.

UK Podcast Income Calculator

Frequently Asked Questions

How do UK podcasters make money?

UK podcasters earn through: programmatic ads (CPM model via Spotify Audience Network, Acast, Buzzsprout Ads), direct sponsorships, listener memberships (Patreon, Supercast), merchandise, live events, courses, and consulting.

What is a good CPM rate for a UK podcast?

UK podcast CPM rates in 2026 range from £12–£35. Niche/specialist podcasts (finance, health, B2B) command £25–£45 CPM. Comedy/general entertainment typically achieves £12–£18 CPM. True crime and fiction often reach £20–£30.

When does a podcast become profitable in the UK?

Most monetisation platforms require 1,000+ monthly downloads minimum. Meaningful income (£1,000+/month) typically requires 10,000–20,000 monthly downloads. High-CPM niches can be profitable at 5,000 downloads with direct sponsorships.

Do I need to register as self-employed for podcast income?

Yes — any podcast income over £1,000/year (Trading Allowance threshold) must be declared to HMRC. Register for Self Assessment and declare income on your Self Assessment tax return by 31 January.

What podcast expenses can I deduct for tax?

Allowable expenses include: recording equipment, microphone, audio editing software, podcast hosting fees (e.g. Buzzsprout, Acast Pro), studio hire, music licensing, editing services, website costs, and a portion of home broadband/electricity.

Is Patreon income taxable in the UK?

Yes — Patreon subscription income is trading income and taxed as self-employment profits. Patreon deducts VAT and platform fees before paying you. Keep records of all payments received.

Do I need to charge VAT on my podcast?

If your annual turnover exceeds £90,000 (2026/27 threshold), you must register for VAT. Most podcasters are below this threshold. Note: if you sell digital services to EU customers, different VAT rules may apply.

How does podcast income affect my PAYE employment tax?

If employed, podcast self-employment income is declared on your Self Assessment. HMRC adjusts your PAYE tax code to collect additional tax, or you pay via the 31 January payment deadline.

What is the Trading Allowance for podcast income?

The £1,000 Trading Allowance means podcast income up to £1,000/year is tax-free and doesn't need to be declared. Above £1,000, you must register for Self Assessment and declare full income (or deduct actual expenses — whichever is more tax-efficient).

Can I run a podcast through a limited company?

Yes — at higher income levels (£50,000+), operating through a limited company can reduce tax. You'd pay corporation tax (25% on profits over £50,000) and extract income as salary + dividends. Get advice from an accountant above £40,000 profit.

How do podcast advertising networks work in the UK?

UK podcast ad networks (Acast, Spotify Audience Network, Global Player) insert dynamically served ads and pay CPM rates monthly. They typically take 30–40% commission. Direct sponsorships pay more but require relationship building.

What records should I keep for podcast income?

Keep records of: all income sources (bank statements, PayPal/Stripe records, Patreon payouts), invoices for sponsorships, all expense receipts, and download/listener statistics. HMRC requires 5-year record retention.