Tax tools for UK contractors & freelancers
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Guidance, not advice. We explain the rules, we don't assess your situation. Always seek financial or tax advice from your accountant, or contact HMRC. Read our editorial scope →
If your income comes from a mix of day-rate contracts, freelance projects and side-hustles, your tax shouldn't be guesswork. TaxKiln gives you modern UK calculators to work out what you really owe before 31 January.
The contractor & freelancer reality
Contractors and freelancers often have income from multiple sources that all need to be declared on a Self Assessment return. You might have one or more PAYE roles, self-employed income from projects, a limited company paying dividends, or occasional capital gains from selling shares or property.
You might be:
- On a day rate through your own limited company
- Mixing a part-time job with freelance work
- Building a side-hustle while still permanently employed
- Renting out a property or cashing in investments
TaxKiln is built to help you see how all of that combines on your Self Assessment.
See your Self Assessment bill before HMRC does
Our Income Tax calculator lets you enter PAYE salary, self-employment profit, property income, dividends, savings interest and student loan type. The tool applies current bands and thresholds, then gives you a breakdown plus a single estimated bill.
It's designed to give you a clear picture of what you'll owe, so there are no surprises when you file or speak to your accountant.
Use it to:
- Check if payments on account will be triggered
- See what happens if you add another contract or side-gig
- Sanity-check figures before you file or talk to your accountant
PAYE vs limited company, in numbers
Many contractors end up asking "Should I stay PAYE or go Ltd?" It's a question with no universal answer – it depends on your income level, expenses, and personal circumstances.
TaxKiln lets you see how a pure PAYE scenario looks compared to a limited company setup with salary and dividends. You can understand how salary, dividends and pension contributions interact – and see the numbers clearly before making any decisions.
Remember: these tools show you the numbers, but they're not financial advice. They work best alongside an accountant, not instead of one.
Selling rentals or investments? Check CGT first
Contractors often build up assets over time – a rental property, company shares, or investment portfolios. When you come to sell, Capital Gains Tax can take a significant chunk if you're not prepared.
Our CGT calculator helps you estimate the tax on selling a buy-, second home, or share disposals. You can see the impact of the annual allowance and how being in basic versus higher rate affects your bill.
Estimate CGT on a property or sharesUse it as you go, not just at the deadline
The best time to check your tax position isn't the night before the deadline. Use TaxKiln throughout the year to stay on top of things:
Get rough set-aside numbers so you're never caught short
Check the impact of new contracts or rate rises
Final sense-check of income and tax before you submit
Not a substitute for an accountant
TaxKiln provides estimates based on the information you enter. It doesn't submit anything to HMRC, doesn't constitute financial advice, and doesn't replace the expertise of a qualified accountant. These tools work best alongside professional advice, helping you arrive at meetings better prepared and ask the right questions.