If you’re self-employed or freelancing in Kent, understanding your tax return is essential to keeping your business running smoothly. Whether you’re based in Gravesend, Medway, Dartford or anywhere else in Kent, staying organised with your finances can save you stress — and potentially money.
As the 2025 tax season approaches, here are some practical tax return tips to help freelancers and self-employed workers stay on top of their obligations and avoid costly mistakes. Get in touch with Clayton Stirling today if you need help with Tax Returns and self-employment.
Know Your Tax Deadlines – Accountants in Kent
One of the most common mistakes freelancers and self-employed people in Kent make is missing important HMRC tax deadlines. Even if your income is modest or part-time, HMRC expects all self-employed individuals to report their earnings on time — and the penalties for missing these dates can add up quickly.
Understanding your tax calendar is essential to keeping your business compliant and your finances stress-free.
Key dates for the 2024/2025 tax year:
- 5 April 2025: End of the tax year
- 31 October 2025: Deadline for paper tax returns
- 31 January 2026: Deadline for online tax returns & final tax payment
Why Deadlines Matter for Freelancers and the Self-Employed
Unlike salaried employees who have tax automatically deducted through PAYE, freelancers and sole traders must calculate, report, and pay their own tax. This means it’s entirely your responsibility to stay ahead of HMRC’s schedule.
If you work with multiple clients or platforms (e.g. Upwork, Fiverr, or local Kent businesses), income can easily become scattered across invoices and payment systems — so leaving it until January is risky.
By preparing early, you’ll have time to:
- Gather all your income and expense records.
- Check for missing invoices or receipts.
- Review your allowable expenses and potential tax reliefs.
- Identify whether you need to make a “payment on account.”
This preparation helps you avoid the January rush and gives your accountant more time to ensure everything is accurate. Read more about the important deadlines from HMRC.
Tip: Mark these deadlines in your calendar early. Setting reminders well in advance ensures you never miss an important date.
Keep Accurate and Organised Records
If you’re self-employed or freelancing in Kent, keeping accurate financial records isn’t just good practice — it’s a legal requirement. HMRC expects you to keep clear, accurate records of everything you earn and spend so that your Self Assessment tax return is correct.
Poor record-keeping can lead to:
- Missed expense claims (which means paying more tax than necessary)
- Errors on your tax return
- HMRC investigations or penalties for inaccuracies
- A lot of stress come January
The good news? With the right systems in place, staying organised doesn’t need to be overwhelming.
What Records You Should Keep
Whether you’re a freelancer working from home in Gravesend or running a small self-employed business in Medway, here are the essential records HMRC expects you to keep:
- Invoices issued to clients and customers
- Receipts for business purchases (e.g. laptop, software, office furniture)
- Bank statements for your business account
- Mileage logs if you use a car for work
- Home office expenses (a proportion of rent, utilities, broadband etc.)
- Payment platform records (e.g. PayPal, Stripe, Etsy, Shopify payouts)
- Pension contributions and insurance documents
- VAT records, if registered
Read more about what records you should be keeping as a self employed person here.
Tip: HMRC requires you to keep these records for at least 5 years after the 31 January submission deadline. For example, if you file a 2025 return, you must keep records until at least January 2031.
Go Digital: Make Bookkeeping Simple
Gone are the days of shoeboxes full of receipts. The easiest way to stay organised is to go digital.
Top accounting software for freelancers in Kent:
- Xero – great for self-employed professionals, integrates with bank accounts and payment platforms.
- QuickBooks – ideal for tracking expenses and income in real time.
- FreeAgent – especially good for sole traders and freelancers.
Benefits of using accounting software:
- Automatic expense categorisation
- Easy invoicing and payment tracking
- Secure cloud storage for receipts
- Simple end-of-year reporting for tax returns
- Less time chasing missing paperwork
You can even snap photos of receipts with your phone, and the software will store and match them to transactions — no paper clutter!
Understand What You Can Claim as Expenses
Knowing what counts as an allowable business expense can make a big difference to your tax bill. Read more about this on the HMRC website here.
Common deductible expenses for freelancers and the self-employed:
- Laptop, phone, and software used for work
- Travel and mileage for business purposes
- Marketing, website, and advertising costs
- Professional insurance
- Training, courses, or memberships
- Home office expenses (a proportion of rent, utilities, broadband)
Note: HMRC has specific rules on what can and can’t be claimed. A trusted Kent accountant can help ensure you claim the maximum amount legally.
Plan Ahead for Your Tax Bill
A common mistake freelancers make is treating tax as an afterthought. To avoid a nasty surprise in January, put money aside throughout the year.
Simple strategies include:
- Setting up a separate savings account for tax
- Putting aside 20–30% of every payment you receive
- Setting up quarterly tax calculations to estimate liability
This proactive approach can save you from scrambling for funds at the last minute.
Make Use of Personal Allowances and Reliefs
You may be entitled to certain tax-free allowances and reliefs that can reduce your overall bill.
Key allowances for 2025 include:
- Personal allowance: £12,570 (tax-free income)
- Trading allowance: Up to £1,000 tax-free if you earn a small amount from self-employment
- Marriage allowance (if eligible)
- National Insurance thresholds for self-employed
Consider Working With a Local Accountant in Kent
While it’s possible to file your own tax return, many freelancers choose to work with an accountant to save time, maximise deductions and avoid errors.
Benefits of working with a Kent-based accountant:
- Local expertise with HMRC processes and deadlines
- Tailored advice for freelancers and self-employed
- Help with allowable expenses, VAT registration, and planning for future growth
- Peace of mind knowing your return is accurate and submitted on time
If you’re looking for a trusted accountant in Kent to help with your 2025 tax return, Clayton Stirling & Co offers expert support for freelancers, sole traders, and small businesses across the county.
Stay Ahead of Tax Rule Changes
Tax rules for the self-employed often change year to year. For example, the Making Tax Digital initiative is transforming how self-employed individuals file their returns.
Staying updated on new requirements can prevent unnecessary penalties and help your business stay compliant.
Final Thoughts – Professional Accountant in Gravesend
Filing your self-employed tax return doesn’t have to be overwhelming. By staying organised, tracking your expenses, and working with a local accountant, you can make the process simpler, more accurate, and more profitable.
If you’re a freelancer or self-employed professional in Kent, getting expert support early can make all the difference. So get in touch with Clayton Stirling today.
