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Self-Employed Tax Year Dates & Expenses Checklist 2026/27

Every key date for the 2026/27 tax year, the rates and allowances, and a tick-list of expenses sole traders can claim. 2 pages, plain English, free.

Free: Tax Year Dates & Expenses Checklist 2026/27

Every Self Assessment date for 2026/27, the tax and NI rates, and a tick-list of expenses you can claim. 2 pages.

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Just want to read it? It's all below. Open the PDF (2 pages, A4).

General guidance, not tax advice. Checked on GOV.UK on 21 October 2026. Rules change, so check GOV.UK or ask an accountant about your own situation.

1. Key dates for the 2026/27 tax year

The tax year runs from 6 April 2026 to 5 April 2027.

31 Jan 2027Pay any tax owed for 2025/26, plus your 1st payment on account for 2026/27 (if you make them).
5 Apr 2027The 2026/27 tax year ends. You can file your return any time after this.
31 Jul 20272nd payment on account for 2026/27.
5 Oct 2027Register for Self Assessment if you started in 2026/27 or didn't need a return before.
31 Oct 2027Paper tax return deadline.
31 Jan 2028Online return deadline, and pay what's left (the balancing payment).

Payments on account are each half of last year's bill. You don't make them if last year's bill was under £1,000, or if more than 80% of your tax was already taken off (for example through PAYE).

2. Rates and allowances 2026/27

£12,570Personal Allowance: no Income Tax on this much.
20%Income Tax on £12,571 to £50,270 (40% to £125,140, 45% above). Different in Scotland.
6%Class 4 National Insurance on profits £12,570 to £50,270, then 2% above.
£1,000Trading allowance. Earn more than this (before costs) and you must register.
Making Tax Digital (quarterly updates with software): from 6 April 2026 if your 2024/25 self-employed and property income was over £50,000, from April 2027 if your 2025/26 income is over £30,000, and from April 2028 if your 2026/27 income is over £20,000.

3. Expenses checklist (sole traders)

Tick what you can claim. Only the business part counts, and keep the receipt or a photo of it.

  • Mileage: 55p a mile for the first 10,000 business miles (45p before 6 April 2026), 25p after, motorbikes 24p. If you use this, don't also claim fuel, insurance or repairs for that vehicle.
  • Or the real costs of your van: fuel, insurance, repairs, servicing (business share)
  • Other travel: train and bus fares, parking, hotel stays for work
  • Tools and equipment
  • Uniforms and protective clothing (not everyday clothes)
  • Phone and internet (business share)
  • Working from home: flat £10, £18 or £26 a month for 25 to 50, 51 to 100, or 101+ hours
  • Materials and stock you buy to do the work
  • Insurance, such as public liability
  • Bank charges on your business account
  • Accountant fees and trade body subscriptions
  • Advertising and your website

4. Before you file

  • All my invoices for the year are added up (6 April to 5 April).
  • I've got my CIS statements, if I'm a subcontractor.
  • My mileage log is up to date (date, from, to, miles, why).
  • I've put money aside for 31 January.

Free tools: self-employed tax, mileage and working from home calculators at billmyweek.com.

Sources

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