Tax for self-employed cleaners UK: what to pay, what to claim (2026/27)

Are you self-employed or employed?

If you are employed through an agency, your tax is taken from your pay and you do not need to file a return for that work.

When you need to tell HMRC

• 2026/27: cleaning income of £1,000 or less in the tax year is covered by the trading allowance. Nothing to report.
• From 6 April 2027: that rises to £3,000.
• Above the allowance, register for Self Assessment by 5 October after the end of the tax year.

How much tax you pay

Your profit (income minus expenses, or minus the trading allowance) is added to any other income and taxed at your normal rate. You also pay Class 4 National Insurance at 6% on profit between £12,570 and £50,270.

In the second example, income tax is 20% of £8,930 (£1,786) and Class 4 National Insurance is 6% of £8,930 (£535.80). Try your own figures:

Free toolSide hustle tax calculatorSee how much tax and National Insurance you owe on side income, and what to set aside each month.→

Expenses cleaners can claim

• Cleaning products and supplies you buy, including cloths, sprays and bin bags
• Equipment: vacuum cleaners, steam cleaners, mops and buckets
• Uniform and protective clothing, like branded tops, gloves and aprons. Everyday clothes do not count.
• Travel between clients. For a car or van, the simplest way is the flat mileage rate of 55p a mile for the first 10,000 business miles.
• Phone costs for the business share of your bill
• Insurance: public liability insurance
• Advertising: flyers, a website, listing fees
• Fees charged by booking apps or platforms
• DBS checks and training courses that keep your skills up to date

You cannot claim the cost of travel from home to a single regular workplace, or anything you use mainly for personal reasons.

Free toolMileage allowance calculatorThe tax-free 55p a mile, what you can claim back if your employer pays less, and the 2027 change.→

Class 2 National Insurance and your State Pension

Since April 2024, self-employed people do not have to pay Class 2 National Insurance. If your profit is over £7,105 (2026/27), you get a qualifying year for your State Pension automatically. Below that, you can choose to pay Class 2 voluntarily, £3.65 a week, to protect it.

Keep simple records

• A spreadsheet or app with each client, date and amount paid
• Photos of receipts for supplies and equipment
• A mileage log of trips between clients
• Bank statements, ideally from a separate account for your cleaning money

Common questions

Do I need to register as self-employed to clean houses?

Only if your income from it is over the trading allowance: £1,000 in 2026/27, £3,000 from April 2027. Many people register anyway once they have regular clients, to build a record and claim expenses.

Can cleaners claim travel expenses?

Yes, for travel between clients and to buy supplies. Not for travel between home and a single regular workplace.

Do I need insurance as a cleaner?

It is not a legal requirement for sole traders, but public liability insurance protects you if you damage something or someone is hurt. Some clients and agencies ask for it.