Self Employed Beauty Therapist Expenses: What You Can Claim

Quick answer: As a self employed beauty therapist or hairdresser in the UK, you can claim allowable expenses for the running costs of your business, including products and consumables, equipment, insurance, training that updates your existing skills, uniforms, salon or room rent, business travel, phone and internet, marketing and your website. You can't claim everyday clothing, travel to a regular place of work, client entertaining or training to start a new type of business. Keep receipts for everything.

This guide is based on HMRC rules for UK sole traders. Tax rules differ between countries, and everyone's situation is different, so speak to an accountant if you are unsure.

Most of us came into this industry because we love the work, not the paperwork. But knowing what you can claim is one of the simplest ways to keep more of what you earn. Every allowable expense reduces your taxable profit, so a forgotten receipt really is money left on the table.

There are a lot of us doing this. According to the NHBF's 2024 industry statistics, 58% of people working in UK hair and beauty are self employed. Here is what HMRC allows.

What counts as an allowable expense?

According to GOV.UK, allowable expenses are the costs of running your business that you can deduct from your income before you pay tax. If something is used for both business and personal life, such as your phone or car, you can only claim the business share.

Products, stock and consumables

This is often your biggest cost. You can claim for:

• Professional products you use on clients, such as gel polish, lash adhesive, wax, tan solution, colour and skincare
• Retail stock you buy to resell
• Consumables such as couch roll, gloves, cotton pads, spatulas, disposable brushes and cleaning products
• Towels and laundry costs for the business

Equipment and tools

Treatment couches, lamps, nail drills, steamers, LED machines, trolleys, chairs and hand tools can all be claimed. For larger items, the way you claim depends on whether you use cash basis or traditional accounting, so check with your accountant or HMRC's guidance on capital allowances.

Insurance and professional costs

• Treatment and public liability insurance
• Professional memberships and subscriptions to trade bodies
• Trade magazines and journals
• Accountancy and bookkeeping fees, and bookkeeping software
• Business bank charges
• Council licence and registration fees for your treatments. Our guide to beauty treatment licences explains which ones you may need.

Training courses

Training is one of the most misunderstood areas. HMRC says you can claim for training that helps you improve the skills and knowledge you currently use in your business, keep up to date with technology in your industry, or develop new skills related to changes in your industry, including admin and business skills.

You can't claim for training that helps you start a new business, or expand into areas that aren't directly related to your industry. So a lash artist taking an advanced volume course to update their lash skills is likely to be claimable, while a lash artist training as a tattoo artist to start a new business may not be. If you are unsure, ask your accountant before you book.

Choosing the right course matters as much as claiming for it. Our guides on accreditation and qualifications and online beauty courses help you invest wisely.

Uniforms and work clothing

HMRC lets you claim for clothing that protects your everyday clothes, such as aprons, and for specialist clothing or uniforms that aren't everyday clothing, along with cleaning and repairing them. A branded tunic counts. Black trousers or trainers you could wear anywhere don't, even if you only wear them for work.

Premises: salon, room rent and working from home

• Salon or room rent. If you rent a room or chair, the rent is an allowable expense. We can also help you find a room or chair to rent.
• Business premises costs, such as heating, lighting, water and business rates.
• Working from home. You can claim a share of household costs, or use HMRC's simplified flat rate if you work 25 hours or more a month from home: £10 a month for 25 to 50 hours, £18 for 51 to 100 hours and £26 for 101 hours or more. Phone and internet are claimed separately.

Thinking of treating clients from home? Read how to start a beauty business from home first.

Travel and mileage

If you are a mobile therapist, or travel to training, trade shows and suppliers, you can claim business travel costs such as fuel, parking, train and bus fares, and hotels and meals on overnight business trips. You can't claim travel between home and your regular place of work, or parking fines.

Instead of working out your actual vehicle costs, you can use HMRC's simplified mileage rates. For the 2026 to 2027 tax year, that is 55p a mile for the first 10,000 business miles in a car or van, and 25p a mile after that. Before 6 April 2026 the first rate was 45p. Keep a mileage log as you go.

Marketing, website and advertising

HMRC allows you to claim marketing costs such as advertising, directory listings and your website, as well as free samples of products you sell. Branded giveaways such as keyrings can be claimed up to £50 per person per tax year. You can't usually claim for entertaining clients, including taking them for lunch.

That includes your directory membership. Our verified profiles help clients find and trust you, and you can start with a free listing and a free visibility report.

Phone, software and admin

• The business share of your mobile phone and internet
• Booking system and payment processing fees
• Stationery, printing, consultation forms and appointment cards
• Postage

What you can't claim

• Everyday clothing, even if you only wear it for work
• Travel between home and your regular place of work
• Fines, including parking tickets
• Entertaining clients
• Training to start a new business or move into an unrelated area
• The personal share of anything you also use privately
• Personal treatments for yourself

The £1,000 trading allowance

If your total self employed income in a tax year is £1,000 or less, the trading allowance means you usually don't need to tell HMRC or pay tax on it. If you earn more, you can either deduct the £1,000 allowance or claim your actual expenses, but not both. Once your costs are more than £1,000, claiming actual expenses is usually better.

Keep good records

Keep receipts and records for every expense, and keep them for at least five years after the 31 January submission deadline for that tax year. Bookkeeping software makes it much easier, and it is becoming essential. According to HMRC, Making Tax Digital for Income Tax has applied to sole traders with income over £50,000 since April 2026, and extends to those over £30,000 from April 2027 and over £20,000 from April 2028, with digital records and quarterly updates.

Make sure your prices cover all of these costs as well as a fair wage for you. Read why so many beauty business owners undercharge.

FAQs

Can I claim my beauty training courses as an expense?

Yes, if the training improves or updates skills you already use in your business, or relates to changes in your industry. You can't claim training to start a new business or move into an unrelated area.

Can I claim my uniform?

Yes, if it is a uniform or specialist clothing that isn't everyday clothing, along with cleaning and repairs. Everyday clothes don't count, even if you only wear them for work.

Can I claim my salon chair or room rent?

Yes. Rent for a salon, room or chair you use for your business is an allowable expense.

What mileage can I claim as a mobile therapist?

You can claim business journeys, such as travelling to clients. Using HMRC's simplified rates for 2026 to 2027, that is 55p a mile for the first 10,000 miles in a car and 25p a mile after that.

Can I claim working from home?

Yes. You can claim a share of household costs, or use HMRC's flat rate of £10 to £26 a month if you work at least 25 hours a month from home.