£38,000 self-employed profit: estimated take-home £31,388
Estimate for a sole trader resident in England, Wales or Northern Ireland whose only income is £38,000 of self-employed profit: £5,086.00 Income Tax and £1,525.80 Class 4 National Insurance, leaving approximately £2,615.68 a month.
The breakdown
| Profit | £38,000.00 |
|---|---|
| Personal Allowance (tax-free) | £12,570.00 |
| Basic rate (20%) on £25,430.00 | - £5,086.00 |
| Class 4 National Insurance | - £1,525.80 |
| Take-home for the year | £31,388.20 |
| Per month | £2,615.68 |
| Per week | £603.61 |
What it means
All of this profit is taxed at the basic rate. Each extra £100 you earn costs about £26 in tax and National Insurance, leaving around £74.
Set aside about 17% of every payment (£6,612 over the year). Because the bill is over £1,000, HMRC will usually also ask for payments on account: roughly £3,306 on 31 January and again on 31 July towards next year.
In Scotland the same profit leaves £31,343.13 (£45.07 less), because Scottish Income Tax has its own bands. National Insurance is the same everywhere.
Try your own numbers
2026/27 tax year. Income from self-employment only: no salary, savings, dividends, student loan or pension contributions. An estimate for general information only.
£31,388.20
about £2,615.68 a month
How much tax is due on £38,000 of self-employed profit?
An estimated £5,086.00 Income Tax and £1,525.80 Class 4 National Insurance in 2026/27, £6,611.80 in total, if this is your only income and you live outside Scotland.
Is this profit or turnover?
Profit: what you invoiced minus allowable business expenses. If you invoiced more but had costs, enter both in the calculator above.
What if I also have a job?
Your salary uses up the Personal Allowance and basic-rate band first, so more of your self-employed profit is taxed at higher rates. This page assumes self-employment is your only income.
Watch your tax bill grow as you're paid.
Fenquist keeps a running estimate all year, so January is never a surprise. Free to start.