Category: Business and Tax

The standard rate of VAT is 20%, and it applies to most goods and services in the UK unless a specific rule reduces, zeroes, or exempts them. For creative and freelance businesses, that includes design, marketing, photography, software subscriptions, and most equipment. The main trap is bundling design and print into one invoice, which usually pulls the whole supply into standard rate even though standalone printed matter can be zero-rated.

Income tax is charged in bands on income above your £12,570 personal allowance. Moving into a higher band only increases the rate on income above

PAYE deducts income tax and National Insurance from your wages before you receive them: your tax code controls how much is taken, and if it’s

The VAT threshold in 2026/2027 tax year for compulsory registration is £90,000 in any 12-month rolling period of taxable turnover. The VAT deregistration threshold in

How the statutory residence test decides if you are UK tax resident: the three stages, the five ties, day counting and split year treatment explained.

An ISA lets you earn interest, dividends and investment growth completely tax-free, on up to £20,000 of contributions each tax year. For self-employed creatives with

Your VAT return is due one calendar month and seven days after the end of each accounting period. It must be filed through MTD-compatible software,

Specialist accountants for media already understand your sub-sector – production, agencies, games, post, creators or talent – instead of treating you as ageneric small company.