Self-employed embroiderers face a big early decision — a £6,000+ commercial machine — plus ongoing thread, blank garment and digitising software costs. Full worked examples on £28,000 turnover and a machine purchase using the £1m Annual Investment Allowance.
Self-employed lash technicians renting a salon chair or working mobile face supply, insurance and training costs. Full worked example on £24,000 turnover shows a £762 tax and NI bill.
Freelance graphic designers carry Adobe subscriptions, tablet and monitor costs against project-based client income. Full worked example on £32,000 turnover shows a £3,022 tax and NI bill.
Running a registered home bakery selling cakes, bread and bakes via orders and markets? On £22,000 turnover, typical expenses of around £8,500 bring tax and NI down to roughly £1,700.
House clearance is a cash-heavy trade with waste carrier licence and disposal costs most guides ignore. Worked example on £48,000 turnover shows the real tax bill for 2026/27.
A freelance HR consultant on £450/day nets around £10,000 more a year working genuinely outside IR35 than inside via umbrella. Full worked comparison plus the interim-HR-specific risk factors that push status one way or the other.
Self-employed interior designers carry CAD software subscriptions, swatch libraries and showroom mileage as core costs. Full worked example on £38,000 turnover shows what a designer actually keeps after tax in 2026/27.
Self-employed jewellery makers carry unusually high stock costs in silver and gold, plus hallmarking fees most trades never see. Full worked example on £24,000 turnover showing what's actually left after tax.
Kitchen fitters working for contractors face CIS deductions at source, while those going direct to homeowners don't. Worked example on £42,000 turnover breaks down both routes for 2026/27.
A self-employed management consultant on £600/day takes home roughly £13,000 more per year working genuinely outside IR35 than inside via umbrella. Full worked example plus the deliverables-vs-control test that decides your status.
Mobile mechanics carry thousands of pounds in diagnostic kit and van stock. Full worked example on £52,000 turnover shows exactly what a self-employed mobile mechanic keeps after tax and NI in 2026/27.
Freelance podcast editors juggle monthly software subscriptions and one-off hardware purchases with very different tax treatment. Full worked example on £32,000 turnover, plus the AIA rules on mics and interfaces.
