How to Submit Your Income Tax Return as a Creative in the UK

If you’re a singer, artist, influencer, or performer earning money from your craft, HMRC wants to know about it. If you’re self-employed, you need to submit a Self-Assessment tax return to declare your income and pay any tax due.

For many creatives, dealing with tax can feel overwhelming, but it doesn’t have to be. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you navigate the process without the stress.

1. Do You Need to Submit a Tax Return?

If you’re self-employed or make money outside of a regular job, you usually need to register for Self-Assessment and file a tax return if:

• You earned over £1,000 from self-employment (e.g., gigs, commissions, brand deals, YouTube revenue).

• You received untaxed income, like royalties, Patreon support, or online sales.

• You work a regular job but have a side hustle making extra income.

If your income is only from PAYE employment (a job where tax is deducted automatically), you don’t need to submit a tax return—unless HMRC specifically asks you to.

2. Registering for Self-Assessment

If you’re filing a tax return for the first time, you need to register with HMRC:

• Deadline: Register by 5th October following the end of the tax year in which you started earning.

• How? Register online via HMRC’s website and they’ll send you a Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) by post.

If you’ve filed a tax return before, you don’t need to register again—just log in and file.

3. What Income Do You Need to Declare?

HMRC wants to know how much you earned and where it came from. This includes:

• Gigs, performances, and commissions

• Streaming or royalties from music, books, or artwork

• Sponsorships, brand deals, and affiliate marketing income

• YouTube, Twitch, or social media revenue

• Merchandise or digital product sales

• Teaching, workshops, or coaching sessions

Even if you receive payments in cash, PayPal, or crypto, it still counts as taxable income.

4. What Expenses Can You Deduct?

The good news? You don’t pay tax on everything you earn—you can deduct business expenses to reduce your tax bill. Some common allowable expenses include:

• Equipment (microphones, cameras, laptops, art supplies)

• Studio or venue hire

• Travel costs for work (train tickets, mileage)

• Marketing and website costs

• Professional services (accountants, legal fees)

• Training and courses to improve your craft

Only business-related expenses count. Everyday clothing, personal meals, and general living costs aren’t tax-deductible.

5. How to Submit Your Tax Return

Once you’ve gathered your income and expenses, you’re ready to file.

1. Log in to HMRC’s website using your UTR and Government Gateway ID.

2. Complete the Self-Assessment form (SA100) – Fill in your total income, expenses, and any extra details.

3. Check your tax bill – HMRC will calculate how much you owe.

4. Submit before 31st January – This is the deadline for online tax returns.

5. Pay any tax due – Payments are also due by 31st January.

   
   

6. When Do You Pay Tax?

The UK tax year runs from 6th April to 5th April, and your Self-Assessment deadline is 31st January the following year.

• Example: If you earned money between April 2023 – April 2024, your tax return is due by 31st January 2025.

• If you owe over £1,000 in tax, HMRC might ask you to make advance payments (Payments on Account) toward next year’s tax bill.

  
  

7. What Happens If You Miss the Deadline?

Late tax returns come with automatic fines:

• Miss the deadline by 1 day? £100 fine.

• More than 3 months late? Additional daily penalties.

• Fail to pay tax owed? Interest and more fines apply.

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Even if you can’t afford to pay your tax, file your return anyway and speak to HMRC about setting up a payment plan.

8. Keeping Your Records in Check

To avoid last-minute stress, get into the habit of:

• Tracking income and expenses using an app or spreadsheet.

• Keeping receipts and invoices for at least 5 years.

• Setting aside tax money throughout the year so you're not caught off guard.

Final Thoughts: Keep It Simple and Stay Organised

Submitting a tax return might sound overwhelming, but it’s just about reporting what you earned and what you spent. Stay on top of your records, file on time, and you’ll avoid stress (and penalties).

If you’re unsure about anything, HMRC’s website has guides, or you can ask an accountant (like us!) to check your return before you submit it.

If you're ever in need of help with setting up a limited company, sorting out your bookkeeping, accounting and tax submissions or would like some personal financial coaching, drop us a line by clicking on the 'Contact Us' button at the top of the page and we'll be happy to help.

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