What NI classes apply to self-employed people?

Class 2 (flat weekly) and Class 4 (profit-based). From April 2024, Class 2 is no longer mandatory above the Small Profits Threshold - you still get state-pension credit automatically. You can still pay Class 2 voluntarily if your profits are below the threshold.

What counts as "profits" here?

Your turnover minus allowable business expenses. We do not handle capital allowances or loss relief carry-forward - consult an accountant or use HMRC self-assessment for those.

How is pension relief handled?

Enter the gross contribution. A personal pension or SIPP uses relief at source: you pay 80% and the provider adds 20% to the pot. Higher-rate relief comes through Self Assessment, which extends your basic-rate band by the gross amount, and the gross also reduces the income used for the £100k Personal Allowance taper. It is not a business expense, so Class 4 NI is still charged on your full profits.

Does this handle the Marriage Allowance or Blind Person's Allowance?

Blind Person's Allowance is supported - toggle it under More options. Marriage Allowance is not modelled here. If your spouse or civil partner transfers £1,260 of their Personal Allowance to you, your own Personal Allowance does not change: you get a tax reduction of 20% of that amount (up to £252 in 2026/27) off your Income Tax bill, and it does not reduce Class 4 National Insurance. The partner who transfers loses £1,260 of their allowance.

What tax years are supported?

Currently 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26 and 2026-27. 2023-24 uses the old Class 4 9% rate and mandatory Class 2; 2024-25 onwards uses the reduced 6% Class 4 and voluntary-only Class 2.

£55,000 Self-Employed Take-home UK 2026/27

On £55,000 annual profits you keep £43,211 after Income Tax and NI Class 2 / Class 4 — £3,601 a month.

Take-home pay

£43,211

21.4% effective tax rate

Monthly: £3,601
Weekly: £831
Daily: £166
Hourly: £22.16

Profits	£55,000
Personal Allowance used	+£12,570
Income Tax	−£9,432
NI Class 4	−£2,357
NI Class 2	−£0
Take-home	£43,211

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Your salary in context

ONS · HMRC · CPI

Take-home profit

After Income Tax and NI, you keep about £43,211 a year — roughly £3,601 a month.
Self-employed vs employed

At the same gross, self-employed total NI (Class 2 + 4) is typically lower than employee Class 1. Your NI total is £2,357; an employed equivalent would pay more.
Class 4 NI

Class 4 National Insurance on your profits: £2,357. This covers state pension and benefits. (Main rate 6% from April 2024, was 9%.)
vs UK median salary

Profits of £55,000 are 41% above the UK median employed salary of £39,039 (ONS ASHE 2025).
Comparable employed roles

A gross of £55,000 would match employed roles like: NHS Band 7, NHS Band 8a manager, software developer.
Income tax paid

Income tax on taxable profits: £9,432. Paid via annual Self Assessment, typically in two payments on account plus a balancing payment.

Nearby salaries

Frequently asked questions

What NI classes apply to self-employed people?: Class 2 (flat weekly) and Class 4 (profit-based). From April 2024, Class 2 is no longer mandatory above the Small Profits Threshold - you still get state-pension credit automatically. You can still pay Class 2 voluntarily if your profits are below the threshold.
What counts as "profits" here?: Your turnover minus allowable business expenses. We do not handle capital allowances or loss relief carry-forward - consult an accountant or use HMRC self-assessment for those.
How is pension relief handled?: Enter the gross contribution. A personal pension or SIPP uses relief at source: you pay 80% and the provider adds 20% to the pot. Higher-rate relief comes through Self Assessment, which extends your basic-rate band by the gross amount, and the gross also reduces the income used for the £100k Personal Allowance taper. It is not a business expense, so Class 4 NI is still charged on your full profits.
Does this handle the Marriage Allowance or Blind Person's Allowance?: Blind Person's Allowance is supported - toggle it under More options. Marriage Allowance is not modelled here. If your spouse or civil partner transfers £1,260 of their Personal Allowance to you, your own Personal Allowance does not change: you get a tax reduction of 20% of that amount (up to £252 in 2026/27) off your Income Tax bill, and it does not reduce Class 4 National Insurance. The partner who transfers loses £1,260 of their allowance.
What tax years are supported?: Currently 2023-24, 2024-25, 2025-26 and 2026-27. 2023-24 uses the old Class 4 9% rate and mandatory Class 2; 2024-25 onwards uses the reduced 6% Class 4 and voluntary-only Class 2.