Calculate allowable self-employed expenses for your UK Self Assessment. Covers mileage, home office, phone, equipment, marketing, and professional fees.
Self-employed people can deduct expenses that are wholly and exclusively for business purposes. Common deductible expenses include: mileage (45p/mile first 10,000, 25p thereafter for cars), business phone/internet costs (proportional to business use), home office costs (flat rate or actual), office supplies, software subscriptions, marketing and advertising, professional fees (accountant, solicitor), training for existing skills, and equipment (capital allowances or AIA).
Yes — you can use HMRC's simplified flat rate for working from home: £10/month for 25-50 hours of business use, £18/month for 51-100 hours, or £26/month for 100+ hours. Alternatively, use the actual cost method (proportion of household bills based on rooms and hours). Sole traders using the actual cost method must be careful not to claim capital expenses like mortgage interest or council tax.
The trading allowance is £1,000 per year. If your total self-employed income is £1,000 or less, you pay no tax and don't need to complete a Self Assessment return. If income exceeds £1,000, you can either deduct the £1,000 allowance (instead of actual expenses) or deduct your actual expenses — whichever is more beneficial. You cannot use both the trading allowance and actual expenses.
Only if the clothing is a genuine uniform, protective clothing, or a costume specific to your trade (e.g., a nurse's uniform, chainsaw safety gear, or a theatrical costume). You cannot claim for clothing that has a dual purpose — ordinary business dress or clothing you could wear outside of work is not deductible, even if you only wear it for work.
Pre-trading expenses (costs incurred before you started trading) can be claimed as if they were incurred on the first day of trading — as long as they were genuinely for business purposes and would have been deductible if incurred after trading started. This includes website development, initial equipment, professional advice, and marketing. Keep all receipts as HMRC may request evidence.