Performer tax calculator 2026/27What to set aside.

You pay Income Tax and Class 4 National Insurance on your profit — your fees minus allowable expenses. For 2026/27 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, the first £12,570 of total income is tax-free, then 20% up to £50,270 and 40% above. Class 4 NI is 6% on profits between £12,570 and £50,270 and 2% above.

Use the “set aside from every fee” figure: it is your estimated tax and NI as a share of your total fees. Many performers with modest profits land somewhere around 10–20%, but it depends on your expenses and other income.

The first £1,000 of self-employed income each tax year is tax-free. You can deduct the £1,000 allowance instead of your actual expenses — whichever is bigger — but not both.

If your Self Assessment bill is over £1,000 (and less than 80% of your tax was collected through PAYE), HMRC asks for two advance payments towards next year’s bill, each half of this year’s, due 31 January and 31 July. In your first year this can mean paying about one and a half years of tax in January.

National Insurance is the same, but Scotland has different income tax bands, so the income tax figure here will not be exact for Scottish taxpayers. Check gov.uk or an accountant for your situation.

No. It is an estimate to help you plan. It ignores things like student loan repayments, pension contributions, Gift Aid and Marriage Allowance. Speak to an accountant before you file.