Free tools for UK self-employed people

Simple planning tools to help you orient yourself around your UK self-employed year, records, dates and practical next steps.

Explore tools Start with MTD checker

SelfYear tools are planning guides. They help you orient yourself based on what you enter, but they do not replace HMRC guidance, an accountant or professional tax advice.

What these tools help with

See what may be worth checking Understand things like MTD timing, registration questions or record keeping basics.
Plan before it becomes urgent Use calm estimates and simple prompts before deadline pressure builds.
Take the next practical step Each tool is designed to explain the guidance, not just show a number.

Helpful tools for your self-employed year

Start with the tool that matches the question you have today. Each one gives a planning guide and a practical next step based on what you enter.

No account needed to start

Tax estimate

Self-employed tax reserve estimate

Estimate Income Tax, Class 4 National Insurance and how much you may want to set aside.

Good for Self-employed users who want a clearer planning estimate from income, expenses, other taxable income and payments already made.

Calculate estimate

Registration

Registration checker

Answer a few questions and get a practical next step about registration.

Good for New self-employed users who want a calm starting point.

Check registration

Tax planning

Tax reserve estimate

Estimate a rough set-aside amount from expected yearly income.

Good for Irregular income, calmer cash planning and building a tax buffer.

Estimate reserve

MTD

MTD checker

See whether Making Tax Digital may be relevant now or later.

Good for Sole traders and landlords reviewing current MTD income thresholds.

Check MTD

Records

Records checklist

Build a simple records checklist for your first year.

Good for Getting organised before reviewing income, expenses or dates.

Build checklist

How SelfYear tools work

SelfYear tools are designed to give orientation, not overwhelm. They use the information you enter to explain what may be relevant and what you could review next.

They use careful wording like "may apply" and "based on what you entered".
They explain the reason behind the guidance, not just a number.
They are useful for planning, especially if you are early in your self-employed journey.
They do not replace HMRC guidance, an accountant or professional advice.

A calmer way to use tools

Use the tools as small checkpoints during the year, not as one big last-minute task.

Start with your current question

Pick the tool that matches what you are unsure about today.

Use rough figures if needed

Planning estimates can still help you understand whether something deserves attention.

Turn the result into a next step

Review records, check a deadline, update your profile or come back when figures change.

Self-employed tools FAQs

Short answers before you start using the tools.

Are these tools tax calculators?

They are planning guides. They help you understand what may be relevant, but they do not replace HMRC guidance, an accountant or professional tax advice.

Who are these tools for?

They are mainly for UK self-employed users, especially sole traders, landlords and people who want a clearer view of their tax year.

Can I use estimates?

Yes. Working estimates can be useful for planning, but your guidance may change when your real figures change.

Do I need an account to use the tools?

Some tools can be useful without an account. A SelfYear profile can help you connect your tools, records, deadlines and next steps in one place.

Will more tools be added?

Yes. The tools area can grow into a calm library of checkers, planners and practical guidance for the self-employed year.

Want a calmer view of the whole year?

SelfYear helps you connect tools, records, dates and practical next steps into one calmer self-employed year view.

Create your SelfYear profile