What Expenses Can I Claim as Self-Employed in the UK?

Let’s get one thing straight: being self-employed doesn’t mean you’re supposed to foot the bill for everything. If you’ve spent money “wholly and exclusively” for business purposes, chances are, it’s claimable.

But what actually counts as a business expense? And how do you avoid getting it wrong?

If you’ve been wondering what you can claim, especially with your first tax return looming, this one’s for you.

🧾 Common self-employed expenses you can claim

📱 Phone and internet

• Business calls, data, or a portion of your personal bill if you use it for work

• Just don’t claim the full bill unless it’s 100% business use

🧑‍💻 Office costs

• Stationery, printer ink, postage

• Business software (e.g. Canva Pro, Microsoft Office, Zoom)

🏡 Working from home?

You can claim a proportion of home running costs (electricity, rent, broadband) OR use the simplified flat-rate method from HMRC.
👉 Read more on GOV.UK

🚗 Travel & mileage

• Fuel, parking, train/bus fares, and tolls… all claimable if it’s for business

• Mileage allowance: 45p per mile for the first 10,000 miles (then 25p)

🚫 You can’t claim for your commute, even if you’re listening to a finance podcast.

🍔 Meals and entertaining

• Light meals while travelling for work = ✅

• Taking a client to dinner = ❌ (annoying, but true)

🧠 Training and development

• Courses related to your current business are usually claimable

• New skills for a different business? Not so much

🛠 Tools, equipment and uniforms

• Anything you need to do your job…from safety boots to ring lights

💰 Professional fees and bank charges

• Bookkeeper and accountant fees

• Business bank fees

• Insurance and subscriptions to industry bodies

🚫 Things you can’t claim

• Personal Netflix, Spotify or gym memberships

• Parking fines or speeding tickets

• Client gifts over £50 (and no food, alcohol or tobacco)

• Clothing… unless it’s protective gear or branded uniform

📦 What about subscriptions and memberships?

• Trade bodies = ✅

• Business magazines = ✅ if relevant

• General lifestyle content = ❌ (HMRC isn’t into Cosmo or Netflix)

🧮 How should I record my expenses?

You can use:

• A spreadsheet (for now) MTD ITSA is coming real soon.

• Cloud accounting software (like Xero, FreeAgent or QuickBooks)

• A trusted bookkeeper/accountant (hi 👋)

Track everything as you go… and keep digital copies of receipts just in case HMRC ever comes knocking.

✨ Want to be sure you’re claiming everything you’re entitled to?

We help self-employed business owners across the UK stay organised, claim confidently, and feel in control at tax time.

If you’re not sure where to start or want to know you’re not missing anything, book a free call and let’s chat. No jargon, no judgement, just helpful support.