Answers · UK 2025/26

How much does a self-employed gardener take home after tax in the UK?

A self-employed gardener and landscaper with a representative taxable profit of £26,000 in 2026/27 pays £2,686 Income Tax and £805.80 Class 4 National Insurance, keeping £22,508.20 after tax and NI.

Last updated: 3 July 2026Last reviewed: 3 July 2026How we verify

Full answer

Earnings for a self-employed gardener and landscaper depend heavily on hours worked, location and client base, but a representative taxable profit of £26,000 for 2026/27 illustrates the tax position clearly. After the £12,570 Personal Allowance, the remaining profit is taxed at 20% basic rate giving total Income Tax of £2,686. Class 4 National Insurance is charged at 6% on profits between the £12,570 Lower Profits Limit and the £50,270 Upper Profits Limit giving total Class 4 National Insurance of £805.80. Class 2 National Insurance no longer applies as a separate weekly charge for most self-employed people since its abolition in April 2024, though voluntary Class 2 contributions of £3.65 a week remain available to protect the State Pension record for those with profits below the £7,105 Small Profits Threshold. Total deductions of £3,491.80 leave £22,508.20 after tax and National Insurance. Unlike an employee, a self-employed gardener and landscaper must also budget for Payments on Account toward the following year's Self Assessment bill, and should keep records of allowable business expenses which reduce taxable profit before this calculation is applied.