Money and NI
How Much Tax Should I Put Aside as an Influencer?
Written by Waqas Sagar ACA FCCA FMAAT · Chartered Accountant · Last reviewed 22 October 2026
| £30,000 profit (no other income) | About £4,532 tax and NI |
|---|---|
| Payments on account | 31 January and 31 July |
| Higher rate starts | Above £50,270 |
How it works
Tax is due on profit, not income, so expenses reduce what you need to save.
If your bill is over £1,000, HMRC usually asks for two advance payments on account for the next year.
Saving a percentage of every payment into a separate account is the simplest way to avoid January stress.
Why first years feel expensive
In your first full year, nothing is collected in advance. Then, on the first 31 January, you pay the whole bill for that year plus a first payment on account — half of the same amount — towards the next year.
On 31 July you pay the second payment on account. From then on, the cycle evens out, but the first January is often 150% of a normal bill.
If your income falls, you can ask HMRC to reduce payments on account. Do this carefully: if you reduce too far, interest is charged on the shortfall.
According to Waqas Sagar, Chartered Accountant at influencers.accountants, move tax money the day a brand pays you — it never feels like yours that way.
Example
Harry makes £30,000 profit. His tax and NI is about £4,532. In his first January he also owes a first payment on account of about half that, so he needs nearly £6,798.
Illustrative figures only, based on 2026/27 rules.
What you need to do
- Open a separate tax savings account.
- Move 25% of each payment in.
- Increase to 40% once above the higher-rate threshold.
- Check with a tax calculator.
Want us to handle this for you? Our Self Employed Starter package covers registration, your Self Assessment return and expense review. See also our tax planning for creators and our page for accountants for YouTubers.
Common mistakes
- 1Forgetting payments on account.
- 2Saving on income, not profit, and over-saving.
- 3Spending brand-deal lump sums.
From our client work: We often see first-year creators who saved for their bill but not the payment on account.
Frequently asked questions
Related questions
Official sources
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This is general guidance for UK tax residents for the 2026/27 tax year, not personal advice. Speak to us about your situation.
