Money questions answered by qualified professionals, with the working shown so you can check every figure.
Plain-English guides for people who aren’t paid by payslip alone: the self-employed, directors who pay themselves dividends, and landlords. Each one is dated to the tax year it applies to.
Every figure updated for 2026/27 and last checked 30 September 2026
Start from how you’re paid.
Most money advice assumes a salary on the 28th. These start from the way money actually reaches you.
Every guide opens with a real example, worked out to the penny.
Self-employedHow much should I put aside for tax when I'm self-employed?2026/27 · 3 min readGetting organisedWhy is my first January tax bill so big?2026/27 · 3 min readYour own companyHow much tax will I pay on £40,000 of dividends in 2026/27?2026/27 · 3 min readRenting out propertyHow does Section 24 change the tax on my rental income?2026/27 · 3 min readGetting organisedWhen does Making Tax Digital for Income Tax start for me?2026/27 onwards · 3 min readGetting organisedDo I need to fill in a Self Assessment tax return?2025/26 and 2026/27 · 3 min read
Profit£42,000.00
Income tax£5,886.00
Class 4 National Insurance£1,765.80
Put aside£7,651.80
Tax for the year£7,651.80
First payment towards next year£3,825.90
Due on 31 January£11,477.70
Salary£12,570.00
Dividends£40,000.00
Tax on dividends£4,821.25
Rental profit before interest£16,000.00
Tax at 40%, as a higher-rate taxpayer£6,400.00
Credit for £8,000 of mortgage interest−£1,600.00
Tax on your rent£4,800.00
Qualifying income over £50,000April 2026
Qualifying income over £30,000April 2027
Qualifying income over £20,000April 2028
Self-employed income before expenses over£1,000
Tell HMRC by5 October
File online by31 January
The dates that cost money if you miss them.
Each one links to the guide that explains what’s due and how to work out your figure.
Get an email a fortnight before each one
- 5 Oct 2026Tell HMRC you need a return for 2025/26, if you didn't send one last year.
- 31 Oct 2026Paper returns for 2025/26 are due.
- 7 Nov 2026Making Tax Digital update for 6 July to 5 October, if your qualifying income is over £50,000.
- 31 Jan 2027Online returns for 2025/26, the balance of the tax, and your first payment towards 2026/27.
- 6 Apr 2027Making Tax Digital reaches qualifying income over £30,000.
Then try the same sum on your own numbers.
Salary or dividendsCompare director salaries of £6,708, £12,570 and your own figure, with the rest taken as dividends.Open calculator Tax you'll oweEstimate your 2026/27 Self Assessment bill and what's due on 31 January and 31 July.Open calculator Debt payoffSee when your debts clear and the interest you pay, highest rate first or smallest balance first.Open calculator Mortgage overpaymentSee the interest saved and the new end date from overpaying, set against keeping the cash in savings.Open calculator All free toolsSee them all
Every guide is checked by people who do this for a living: chartered accountants, mortgage brokers, wealth advisers and personal finance specialists.
Each one says which tax year it covers and when it was last checked. If you spot a figure that’s wrong, tell us and we’ll correct it and date the change on the page.
How we write and check guides