2025/26 Tax Year

Photographer Tax Calculator 2025/26

Calculate your take-home pay as a freelance photographer or videographer. See your tax, NI, and what you can claim for camera gear, editing software, and travel.

HMRC-Approved Categories

Common deductions for photographers

These are typical expenses you may be able to claim against your taxable profit.

Camera and equipment

Cameras, lenses, lighting, tripods, gimbals, drones, and audio equipment. Claim through the Annual Investment Allowance.

Editing software

Adobe Creative Cloud, Lightroom, Capture One, DaVinci Resolve, and other editing subscriptions.

Computer and storage

Laptops, desktops, external drives, cloud storage, and backup solutions used for editing.

Travel to shoots

Mileage, rail fares, and accommodation when travelling to wedding venues, events, or client locations.

Studio or workspace

Studio rental, home office costs, or co-working space fees for editing and client meetings.

Insurance

Equipment insurance, public liability, and professional indemnity insurance.

Website and portfolio

Website hosting, portfolio platforms (Squarespace, Format), and online gallery services.

£
£

Tax year 2025/26 (6 Apr 2025 – 5 Apr 2026). Rates from gov.uk

Yearly

£25,120

take-home

Monthly

£2,093

take-home

Weekly

£483

take-home

Deductions

Income Tax£3,486.00
National Insurance£1,394.40
Total deducted£4,880.40

Effective rate

16.27%

The actual percentage of your total income going to income tax and NI combined.

Marginal rate

28%

The tax rate on your next £1 of income. Above £100k this can be 60% due to Personal Allowance tapering.

Income tax bands

Personal AllowanceTax-free
£12,570 taxed£0.00
Basic Rate20%
£17,430 taxed£3,486.00

Where your money goes

Income TaxNITake-Home

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Direct Answer

What expenses can a freelance photographer claim in the UK?

Freelance photographers can claim camera equipment and lenses, editing software (Adobe, Capture One), computers, travel to shoots (mileage or transport), studio rental, insurance, and website costs. For 2025/26, the first £12,570 of profit is tax-free. Equipment purchases can be claimed in full under the Annual Investment Allowance.

  • Camera gear and lenses: claim in full via capital allowances
  • Adobe CC, Lightroom, Capture One subscriptions
  • Travel: mileage, rail fares, accommodation for shoots
  • Equipment insurance and public liability
  • Studio rent or home office deduction

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Frequently asked questions