The New Tax Year (2026/27): What Performers Actually Need to Know

Updated on June 8, 2026

(and why this is the perfect moment to get your admin sorted — no drama)

April 6th kicks off the new tax year — hello, 2026/27 — running through to 5 April 2027. If you’re self-employed, here’s what that actually means for you… and how to make this the year you finally stay on top of things without spreadsheets, stress, or drama.

Out with the old

The 2025/26 tax year ended on 5 April 2026. That’s the year you’ll now be doing a tax return for.

Your deadlines:

• Paper return: 31 October 2026
• Online return: 31 January 2027 (11:59pm)
• Tax payment deadline: also 31 January 2027
• If you want HMRC to collect tax through your PAYE code: file by 30 December 2026

Filing early is the real clincher. You’ll know exactly what you owe, you can plan and save gradually, spend more confidently and avoid the January chaos entirely.

Need help? We’ve got a screenshot-based walkthrough: How to do your tax return (step-by-step).

In with the new

From 6 April 2026, your income and expenses “reset”. Everything you earn or spend from now on counts toward your 2026/27 tax return.

This is the perfect moment to get organised — and yes, the SansDrama App is built exactly for this.

Your Personal Allowance

The amount you can earn before paying Income Tax stays at £12,570 for 2026/27.

Official page: GOV.UK — Income Tax rates & Personal Allowances

National Insurance when you’re self-employed

Class 2

Most self-employed people don’t pay Class 2 automatically anymore. If your profits are £6,845 or more, HMRC treats Class 2 as paid — you don’t actually pay it. If your profits are below this, you can choose to pay it voluntarily to protect your State Pension record.

• Voluntary Class 2 rate: £3.50 per week

Class 4

For 2026/27 you’ll pay:

• 6% on profits between £12,570–£50,270
• 2% on profits above £50,270

Official page: GOV.UK — Self-employed National Insurance rates

A quick note on Making Tax Digital (MTD)

MTD is the direction everything is heading — and it’s going to change how self-employed people keep records and submit returns.

We’ve explained it clearly (no jargon, no doom) here: Making Tax Digital explained

The short version: digital record-keeping is becoming mandatory… which is exactly why the SansDrama App is built to be HMRC-compliant and fully MTD-ready.

Why the new tax year is the perfect time to start using the SansDrama App

• Track income and expenses from day one (no more catch-up).
• Everything stored safely and digitally — exactly what HMRC and MTD expect.
• Live tax prediction so you always know what you owe.
• Performer-specific features like Equity pension and agent commission built-in.
• Works on every device — phone, tablet, laptop, whatever you’ve got in your dressing room.
• HMRC-compliant and MTD-ready so you’re future-proofed without even thinking about it.

Free 10-day trial, then £3.50/month.

Recent graduate? Your first tax year is free — just email us with some evidence of your graduation and we’ll send you your signup link.

Going for MTD too? It's + £20/year (75% off 2026/27 tax year)

A few small things that make a big difference this year

• Start recording income and expenses now — your future self will be smug.
• If your profit is likely to be low, consider whether voluntary Class 2 is worth it for your State Pension record.
• Set a calendar reminder for 31st January — the tax payment deadline.
• And if you want to avoid the annual “tax panic”, let the SansDrama App keep everything organised for you.

Thanks for being here and Happy New Tax Year!

Jo and James x
The SansDrama Team

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