Skip to main content
a person holding a magnifying glass up to a calculator showing the word 'INCOME' on the screen, behind this paperwork can be seen.
Updated on 6 April 2026

Self-employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS)

Coronavirus had far-reaching financial impacts on individuals and businesses across the world. The government provided support for the self-employed in the UK under the self-employment income support scheme (SEISS). The scheme ended in September 2021, but for reference purposes this page covers the ...

4 piles of coins getting smaller from left to right, a translucent graph sits above showing the decrease with a red line.
Updated on 6 April 2026

Trading losses

Being self-employed or being a partner in a partnership means that you run the risk of making a loss. This page explains the various ways you may get tax relief for a trading loss. This can mean that you get a reduction in your tax bill or perhaps get a tax refund. 

a black table top with a drawing board, on the board the words 'CAPITAL ALLOWANCE' are written in red pen. Next to this is a USB stick, a plant, some glasses, and a jar of coins
Updated on 6 April 2026

Business expenses: capital and capital allowances

On this page, we explain what capital allowances are for the self-employed and how to claim them. Remember that if you use the cash basis of accounting, which is the default method for preparing accounts from the 2024/25 tax year onwards, you cannot claim capital allowances except on the purchase ...

A person sat at a desk, adding up receipts on a calculator.
Updated on 6 April 2026

Pre-trading expenses

On this page, we discuss expenses you might incur before you start trading and how you can claim tax relief for them.

a desk with a pad of writing paper, written on the paper are the words ' ALLOWABLE BUSINESS EXPENSES'
Updated on 6 April 2026

Business expenses: allowable for tax

When you are self-employed, you will usually have to pay expenses that relate to your business. On this page, we discuss which business expenses are allowable for tax purposes. When we say business expenses are ‘allowable’ this means that the tax rules allow the particular expense to be deducted ...

Filters

Back to top