{"id":6040,"date":"2020-07-29T16:50:07","date_gmt":"2020-07-29T15:50:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/?p=6040"},"modified":"2025-04-28T17:31:38","modified_gmt":"2025-04-28T16:31:38","slug":"can-a-freelance-artist-claim-unemployment-benefits","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/taxfix.com\/en-uk\/self-employed-tax-returns\/can-a-freelance-artist-claim-unemployment-benefits\/","title":{"rendered":"Can a freelance artist claim unemployment benefits?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

As a freelance artist, there are a few strands to this answer. The employment rights of the self-employed are different from those of the employed. Namely, self-employed individuals don’t have the protections of employment. But there are things you can do to maximise the security of your employment status. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, answer the following three questions. Then we’ll explain how you use this information when you make a claim.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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  1. Have you registered as self-employed and paid taxes on your income?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  2. Are you a full-time freelance artist?<\/li>\n\n\n\n
  3. How long have you been freelance?<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Are you registered as self-employed?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Freelance artists who earn over a certain amount must declare their income to HMRC. This is the case whether you\u2019re working on art full-time or whether it\u2019s a side gig. Below are the rates and thresholds at which you pay income tax in the current tax year.<\/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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    To be eligible to claim state-provided support, you need to have paid income tax and National Insurance for at least the previous two tax years<\/strong>.\u00a0This is so HMRC has a written record of your income and employment status.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Unlike income tax, which is a tax paid on your wages, paying National Insurance entitles you to state-provided benefits like the state pension or the Job Seeker\u2019s Allowance (JSA)<\/a>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

    The self-employed only pay one class (type) of National Insurance. Class 4.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    National Insurance type<\/td>Eligible for JSA?<\/td>Paid by<\/td><\/tr>
    Class 1<\/td>Y<\/td>Employed<\/td><\/tr>
    Class 1A\/B<\/td>N<\/td>Employed<\/td><\/tr>
    Class 3<\/td>N<\/td>Employed<\/td><\/tr>
    Class 4<\/strong><\/td>N<\/strong><\/td>Self-employed<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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