The £1,000 trading allowance for cleaners
If your self-employment takings are £1,000 or less in a tax year, you don't need to register. Above that you register, and can deduct either the flat £1,000 or your actual expenses.
The allowance is based on total takings, not profit. A weekly domestic client will usually take you past it within months. If your expenses are low, deducting the flat £1,000 can be simpler than tracking every cost.
The full detail, worked examples and templates are in The Clean Start. Or work out your rate with the free price calculator.
Sources: HMRC: Self Assessment. Checked October 2026.
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