Answers · UK 2025/26
Is income from private tutoring taxable in the UK?
Yes — private tutoring income is taxable as self-employment income. However, the first £1,000 is covered by the trading allowance, so you only need to register for Self Assessment and pay tax if your gross tutoring income exceeds £1,000 in a tax year.
Full answer
**Tutoring as self-employment** Private tutoring (online or in-person) is treated by HMRC as self-employment income. You are running a business — providing a service for payment. This applies whether you tutor through a platform (Tutorful, MyTutor, Superprof) or independently. **The £1,000 trading allowance** The trading allowance means the first £1,000 of gross self-employment income per tax year is tax-free. You do not need to register for Self Assessment or declare this income to HMRC. - Gross tutoring income ≤ £1,000/year: no tax, no registration required - Gross tutoring income > £1,000/year: register for Self Assessment, declare income **Example: Emma, part-time tutor** Emma earns £4,800/year from tutoring 8 hours/week. She also works employed full-time (£35,000 salary). - Gross tutoring income: £4,800 - Trading allowance: £1,000 (Emma can claim this OR deduct actual expenses — whichever is higher) - Expenses: stationery, textbooks, home office proportion = £300 - Since allowance (£1,000) > actual expenses (£300), Emma deducts the £1,000 allowance - Net tutoring profit: £4,800 − £1,000 = £3,800 - Tax at 20% (basic rate, other income uses personal allowance): £760 - Class 4 NI: 6% × £3,800 = £228 (approximately) - Class 2 NI: if total self-employment income exceeds small profits threshold (~£12,570 from all sources) — not applicable here **When to register** You must register for Self Assessment by **5 October** after the tax year in which you first exceed £1,000 gross tutoring income. Late registration can result in penalties. **Platform reporting** From January 2024, tutoring platforms report seller earnings to HMRC. Even if you think your income is small, HMRC may have the data — better to declare and use the allowance than to receive an enquiry.
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This answer is informational only and does not constitute financial, tax or legal advice. Figures are for the 2025/26 UK tax year. See our methodology and sources.