— Article

Allowable Expenses for UK Freelancers (Full 2026/27 List)

5 February 2026·7 min readExpensesSelf-AssessmentHMRC

If HMRC accepts an expense as "wholly and exclusively" for your business, you can deduct it from your taxable profit. Here's the full 2026/27 list.

Office costs

  • Stationery, printing, postage
  • Phone and internet (business proportion)
  • Software & subscription tools (100% if business-use)

Travel

  • Train, bus, taxi, parking, tolls
  • Business mileage at 45p/mile for the first 10,000 miles, then 25p
  • Accommodation when working away from home

Clothing

  • Uniforms with a business logo
  • Protective gear required for the job

Regular street clothes — even if you only wear them for work — are not deductible.

Marketing

  • Website hosting, domain, design
  • Advertising (social ads, print, sponsorships)
  • Free samples given to clients

Staff & subcontractors

  • Salaries you pay (covered separately via payroll)
  • Subcontractor invoices

Premises

  • Rent for office space
  • Use of home as office — £6/week flat rate or actual costs
  • Utilities, business insurance, security

Professional fees

  • Accountant or bookkeeper fees
  • Legal advice for the business
  • Training courses directly related to your trade

What's NOT allowable

  • Client entertainment (lunches, gifts above £50)
  • Fines and penalties
  • Personal expenses
  • Capital purchases — these go through capital allowances instead

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