Self assessment is how HMRC collects tax from self-employed people. As a lash technician running your own business, it’s your responsibility to file a return each year and pay any tax owed. Getting it right matters.
Do You Need to File Self Assessment?
Yes, if your self-employment income exceeds £1,000 in a tax year. This threshold is based on gross income before expenses, not profit. Even if your costs are high and your profit is small, you still need to file. Register at gov.uk/register-for-self-assessment.
Key Dates You Must Not Miss
- 5 October: Register for self assessment if you’re new to it
- 31 January: Online return deadline and payment of any tax owed
- 31 July: Second payment on account due (if applicable)
HMRC charges an automatic £100 penalty for a return filed even one day late. Further penalties apply at 3, 6, and 12 months. Full details at gov.uk/self-assessment-tax-returns/penalties.
What Income Do You Need to Declare?
All income from your lash business must be declared:
- Lash extension and lash lift appointment income
- Tips from clients — these count
- Income from selling aftercare products to clients
- Any income from training or teaching other lash techs
- Employment income if you also have a part-time job
All payment methods count — cash, bank transfer, card, PayPal, and Stripe. HMRC has access to bank data and cross-references it with declared income, so accuracy is essential.
What Expenses Can You Deduct?
You can deduct allowable business expenses from your income to reduce your taxable profit. For lash technicians, this covers products, equipment, training, workspace, marketing, and professional fees. We cover every category in detail in our guide to lash technician expenses UK.
What Are Payments on Account?
Once your annual tax bill exceeds £1,000, HMRC requires advance payments towards next year’s tax split across January and July. This often surprises lash technicians in their second year, when January’s bill is suddenly larger than expected. Planning your cash flow around this from the start avoids an unpleasant shock.
What If You’ve Been Trading and Not Filed?
If you’ve been earning from your lash business but haven’t registered or filed, the best approach is to come forward voluntarily. HMRC treats voluntary disclosure more leniently than cases where they identify unreported income first. The earlier you act, the better.
Let Simplr Handle It
At Simplr Accounting, we handle self assessment returns for lash technicians across the UK. Every allowable expense is claimed, the return is filed on time, and you know what you owe before the deadline hits.
Visit our accountant for lash technicians page or book a free discovery call to get started.