Working for yourself
Most weavers and makers are self-employed, often working from home. We prepare your Self Assessment return and claim the costs that go with your work: yarn and materials, loom or equipment repairs, a share of your home running costs, travel to shows and markets, and the fees from the sites you sell on.
Selling online
If you sell through Etsy, your own website or social media, we can connect your sales to Xero so the figures are there when we need them. Selling platforms now report sellers’ income to HMRC, so it pays to keep it tidy.
Small side income
If your creative work is a small side-line, the £1,000 trading allowance may mean you don’t pay tax on it at all, or don’t need to register. We’ll check whether that or claiming your actual costs works out better.
Growing the business
As sales grow we’ll keep an eye on the VAT threshold, which is £90,000 of sales in any 12 months, and talk through whether a limited company makes sense. Artists and designers whose income goes up and down may also be able to average profits between years.
What’s included
- Self Assessment tax returns
- Simple bookkeeping in Xero, linked to your online shop
- Use of home and equipment costs claimed
- VAT and limited company advice as you grow
Common questions
Do I need to register as self-employed for selling my work?
Usually, yes, once your sales are more than £1,000 in a tax year. Below that the trading allowance often means there’s nothing to declare.
Can I claim for working from home?
Yes. You can claim a share of heating, electricity and other home costs, or a flat-rate amount based on your hours. We’ll use whichever gives you more.
Will HMRC know about my Etsy sales?
Online selling platforms now send HMRC details of sellers’ income, so it’s important your tax return matches what they report.