Tax guides for the self-employed
Plain-English guides to deadlines, thresholds and the tax you owe, for US freelancers and UK sole traders.
US
Etsy seller taxes: a plain-English guide
How US Etsy sellers are taxed: when Etsy sends a 1099-K, why the income is taxable anyway, which Etsy fees and costs you can deduct, self-employment tax and quarterly payments.
Quarterly estimated tax due dates 2026
The four 2026 IRS estimated tax deadlines for freelancers and 1099 contractors, who has to pay, how to avoid the underpayment penalty and how to work out each payment.
Self-employment tax in 2026, explained
How the 15.3% self-employment tax works in 2026: the 92.35% rule, the $184,500 Social Security wage base, the $400 threshold, the half-SE-tax deduction and a worked example.
UK
Making Tax Digital for Income Tax: who, when and what
MTD for Income Tax starts on 6 April 2026 for sole traders and landlords over £50,000, then £30,000 and £20,000. Who's in, what counts as qualifying income and the quarterly update deadlines.
The Rent a Room scheme: £7,500 tax-free from a lodger
How the UK Rent a Room scheme works: £7,500 a year tax-free (£3,750 if shared), what counts as rent, what to do if you go over, and when the normal expenses method is better.
Self Assessment deadlines 2026 and 2027
Every UK Self Assessment date for sole traders: registering by 5 October, paper and online returns, 31 January and 31 July payments on account, and the penalties for missing them.
The UK VAT registration threshold: when you must register
The £90,000 VAT registration threshold explained for sole traders: the rolling 12-month test, the 30-day forward test, what counts as taxable turnover and the deadlines to register.