£15,000 self-employed: what you keep in 2026/27
If you're a sole trader with £15,000 of taxable profit in the 2026/27 tax year and no other income, you'll pay income tax and Class 4 National Insurance through Self Assessment. Here's the full breakdown:
| England, Wales & NI | Scotland | |
|---|---|---|
| Taxable profit | £15,000 | £15,000 |
| Income tax | £486 | £462 |
| Class 4 National Insurance | £146 | £146 |
| Total tax | £632 | £608 |
| Take-home per year | £14,368 | £14,392 |
| Per month | £1,197 | £1,199 |
| Per week | £276 | £277 |
| Effective tax rate | 4.2% | 4.0% |
| Tax on your next £100 | £26 | £25 |
At this level you're a basic rate taxpayer in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. In Scotland the bands are different, so you'll pay £24 less income tax on the same profit. National Insurance is the same everywhere in the UK.
How much to set aside
To cover your tax bill, put aside about £53 a month (4% of every pound of profit), or £51 a month in Scotland. Keeping it in a separate savings account makes January much less painful.
Your bill is under £1,000, so HMRC normally won't ask for payments on account.
Self-employed vs employed on £15,000
An employee earning a £15,000 salary pays the same income tax but more National Insurance (8% instead of 6% in the main band), so they take home £14,320. As a sole trader you keep £49 more, mainly because you pay £49 less National Insurance.
But the comparison isn't like for like: employees also get paid holiday, sick pay and employer pension contributions worth thousands of pounds a year. If you're comparing a job offer with contracting, our contractor day rate calculator includes those costs.
How this is calculated
- Personal Allowance: the first £12,570 is tax-free (it tapers away above £100,000).
- Income tax (England, Wales & NI): 20% up to £50,270, 40% up to £125,140, 45% above.
- Scottish income tax: 19%, 20%, 21%, 42%, 45% and 48% bands.
- Class 4 NI: 6% on profits between £12,570 and £50,270, then 2%.
Want to change the numbers? Use the calculator above, or see take-home pay for every profit level.
Frequently asked questions
How much tax do I pay on £15,000 self-employed?
In 2026/27 a sole trader with £15,000 of profit pays about £486 income tax and £146 Class 4 National Insurance in England, Wales or Northern Ireland, £632 in total. In Scotland the total is about £608.
What is £15k self-employed take-home pay per month?
About £1,197 a month in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, or £1,199 a month in Scotland, after income tax and National Insurance.
Is £15,000 turnover or profit?
These figures are for £15,000 of taxable profit, which is your turnover minus allowable business expenses. If £15,000 is your turnover, enter your expenses in the calculator to see the right figure.
Do self-employed people pay less tax than employees?
They pay the same income tax but less National Insurance: 6% Class 4 instead of 8% Class 1 in the main band. In exchange they don't get paid holiday, sick pay or employer pension contributions.
Sources
- GOV.UK – Income Tax rates and Personal Allowances
- GOV.UK – Income Tax in Scotland
- GOV.UK – Self-employed National Insurance rates
This calculator gives estimates for planning only. It is not tax, legal or financial advice. Rules and fees change, so check the official source or a qualified professional before making decisions.