{"id":5921,"date":"2020-07-07T13:00:43","date_gmt":"2020-07-07T12:00:43","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/?p=5921"},"modified":"2025-09-05T10:16:27","modified_gmt":"2025-09-05T09:16:27","slug":"what-taxes-does-a-freelance-photographer-pay","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/self-employed-tax-returns\/what-taxes-does-a-freelance-photographer-pay\/","title":{"rendered":"What taxes does a freelance photographer pay?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As a freelance photographer, you are responsible both for finding your own photography work and for declaring your income to HMRC. You also have to deduct tax yourself. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

To do this, you have to a complete a Self Assessment<\/a> to let HMRC know that you are self-employed. You should then do a tax return by 31st January following the tax year<\/a> that you worked in. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What tax do I pay?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If photography is a freelance side-gig to your full-time employment, you can earn up to \u00a31,000 a year tax-free under the Trading Allowance<\/a>. You also don\u2019t need to complete a tax return.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you earn more than \u00a31,000 a year, you will need to complete a tax return and pay tax at the usual rate<\/a> that you pay your salary.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div> \n\n

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The <\/span>income tax<\/b> rates in the 2025\/26 tax year \ud83d\udc47<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Income<\/strong><\/td>\nTax rate<\/strong><\/td>\nTax band<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Up to \u00a312,570<\/span><\/td>\n0%<\/span><\/td>\nPersonal allowance<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a312,571 to \u00a350,270<\/span><\/td>\n20%<\/span><\/td>\nBasic rate<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a350,271 to \u00a3125,140<\/span><\/td>\n40%<\/span><\/td>\nHigher rate<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
over \u00a3125,141<\/span><\/td>\n45%<\/span><\/td>\nAdditional rate<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div> \n\n
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If freelance photography accounts for your full-time income, tax works a little differently. You must pay:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  • Income Tax<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  • Class 4 National Insurance<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n

    What is class 4 National Insurance? <\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Class 4 National Insurance is a tax that you pay when you\u2019re self-employed.<\/p>\n\n\n<\/div> \n\n

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    National Insurance<\/b> rates in the 2025\/26 tax year \ud83d\udc47<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
    NI class<\/strong><\/td>\nWho pays?<\/strong><\/td>\nHow much?<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Class 1<\/span><\/td>\nEmployees earning over \u00a312,570<\/span><\/td>\n8% on earnings between \u00a3242 and \u00a3967 per week<\/span><\/p>\n

    2% if you earn \u00a3967+ per week<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

    Class 1A\/1B<\/span><\/td>\nEmployers<\/span><\/td>\n15%<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Class 3<\/span><\/td>\nVoluntary contributions<\/span><\/td>\n\u00a317.75 per week<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
    Class 4<\/span><\/td>\nSelf-employed earning over \u00a312,570<\/span><\/td>\n6% on profits between \u00a312,570-\u00a350,270<\/span><\/p>\n

    2% on profits over \u00a350,270<\/span><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n\n <\/div>\n<\/div> \n\n

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    When should I register as a freelance photographer?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    The deadline to register as self-employed is 5th October in any given year.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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