Self-employed carpenters working for contractors are usually paid under the Construction Industry Scheme, with tax deducted before they're even paid. Full worked example on £36,000 turnover and reclaiming CIS deductions.
Independent wedding and funeral celebrants are usually self-employed sole traders. How Self Assessment, allowable expenses, mileage and the £90,000 VAT threshold apply in 2026/27.
Registered childminders working from home can use HMRC's simplified flat-rate expenses for food and household costs. Full worked example on £24,000 turnover and what you can and can't claim.
Social media content creators earn from brand deals, platform payouts and sometimes gifted products, all of which have specific tax treatment. Full worked example on £32,000 turnover.
Own-van couriers working for DPD, Amazon Flex, Evri and parcel firms are self-employed subcontractors, not gig-app riders. Full worked example on van finance, fuel and the real tax bill on £38,000 turnover.
Licensed dog breeders face council licensing fees and significant vet costs alongside puppy sale income. Full worked example on £20,000 turnover from a single litter season.
Dog walking and pet sitting is one of the UK's fastest-growing side hustles — but £1,000+ a year in cash and app payments means HMRC registration. Full guide to expenses, mileage, insurance and the tax bill on typical earnings.
Domestic cleaners working through agencies are often employees, while those with their own client list are usually self-employed. Full worked example on £16,000 self-employed turnover.
Most UK driving instructors are self-employed franchisees paying £150-£300/week to a school for a dual-control car. Here's how tax, National Insurance and franchise fees combine to determine what a £35,000-turnover instructor actually keeps.
Self-employed electricians carry certification, testing equipment and van costs that materially reduce taxable profit. Full worked example on £48,000 turnover and what's deductible.
Whether summer festival crew, stewards and vendors need to register for Self Assessment, and how short-term event income is taxed differently from a regular PAYE job.
Foster carers benefit from Qualifying Care Relief, a generous fixed tax exemption that means most foster carers pay little or no tax on their fostering income. Full worked example on a typical single-child placement.
