As the influencer economy continues to boom in the UK, more and more creators are turning their platforms into full-fledged businesses. But with brand deals, affiliate income, and digital sales pouring in, there’s one area that often gets neglected: taxes. If you’re a new content creator navigating the monetisation world for the first time, understanding self-assessment is vital. That’s where accountants for influencers come in.
Why Self-Assessment Matters
The moment you start earning money from your content—whether that’s from YouTube AdSense, TikTok gifts, sponsored posts on Instagram, or OnlyFans subscriptions—you’re officially self-employed in the eyes of HMRC. This means you’re responsible for declaring your income and filing a self-assessment tax return annually.
Many new influencers assume tax is only a concern once they start making “big money”, but that’s a costly myth. Even if you earn over £1,000 from your content in a tax year, HMRC requires you to register for self-assessment. Failing to do so can lead to penalties and interest, even if the error was unintentional.
The Challenges Influencers Face
One of the biggest hurdles influencers face is understanding what counts as income and what can be deducted as an expense. You may receive payments through PayPal, receive gifted items, or earn from international platforms. The situation becomes even more complicated when you have multiple income streams or collaborations that are paid in non-cash forms.
Accountants for influencers understand these nuances. They help track your various income types, convert non-cash rewards into monetary value where necessary, and make sure you declare everything according to HMRC’s latest guidelines.
Key Deadlines You Need to Know
If you’re new to self-employment, you need to register with HMRC for self-assessment by 5 October following the end of the tax year you started earning. The UK tax year runs from 6 April to 5 April, and your tax return must be filed by 31 January of the following year.
For example, if you started making money from Instagram collaborations in May 2025, you’d need to register for self-assessment by 5 October 2025 and file your first return by 31 January 2026.
Missing these deadlines can result in automatic £100 fines—and those can stack up fast if you’re not careful.
What to Include in Your Tax Return
When preparing your self-assessment, you’ll need to declare your total income and provide details of your allowable business expenses. Familiar income sources for influencers include:
- Sponsored content
- Ad revenue (e.g. Google AdSense, YouTube)
- Affiliate marketing
- Brand collaborations
- Merchandise sales
- Subscriptions or memberships (e.g. Patreon, OnlyFans)
Every day, allowable expenses include:
- Equipment (cameras, microphones, laptops)
- Editing software and subscriptions
- Phone and internet bills (proportional to business use)
- Travel expenses related to collaborations or shoots
- Marketing costs (paid ads, branding, websites)
This is where specialised accountants for influencers can save you both time and money. They know exactly what to look for, what to claim, and how to avoid red flags with HMRC.
Avoiding Common Mistakes
New influencers often fall into traps that lead to trouble later on. These include:
- Mixing personal and business accounts
- Forgetting to track income from smaller platforms
- Ignoring taxes on gifted items
- Filing late or inaccurately
- Missing out on claimable expenses
With a professional accountant by your side, these mistakes can be avoided entirely. JungleTax, for example, specialises in helping creators build a compliant and tax-smart foundation so they can focus on growing their influence, not crunching numbers.
Why You Need a Specialist, Not a Generalist
Not all accountants understand the influencer world. The unique earning structures, digital platforms, and lifestyle-based deductions require someone who’s worked in the creator economy. Choosing a firm that specialises in accountants for influencers means they’ll be aware of industry trends, HMRC updates, and platform-specific income models—ensuring you stay compliant and optimise your tax return.
Working with the right accountant often pays for itself through the deductions and strategy they bring to the table.
How to Get Started
Start by keeping a record of all your earnings, receipts, and business-related expenses. You don’t need a fancy system—Google Sheets or accounting apps like QuickBooks or Xero work fine. Then, reach out to a specialist accountant who can guide you on registering for self-assessment, filing deadlines, and what you need to track moving forward.
And if you’ve already started earning income but haven’t registered? Don’t panic. It’s not too late to correct it, and an experienced accountant can help you backdate and bring everything into compliance.
Let the Experts Handle the Numbers
As a content creator, your focus should be on growing your brand, audience, and impact—not navigating the maze of HMRC paperwork. The earlier you get professional advice, the smoother your journey will be. Working with accountants for influencers doesn’t just ensure compliance—it sets the foundation for a financially sustainable business.
At JungleTax, we specialise in helping new and growing influencers take control of their finances, forecast their earnings, and reduce tax stress. Whether you’re just starting or scaling fast, our team is ready to support your journey.
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Email: hello@jungletax.co.uk
Phone: 0333 880 7974
FAQs
Do I need to file taxes if I only made a few hundred pounds from influencing?
Yes, if you earned over £1,000 from self-employed activity, HMRC requires you to register for self-assessment and report your income.
Can I claim a portion of my rent or utility bills as a business expense?
If you work from home, you may be able to claim a proportional share of these costs. An accountant can calculate this correctly.
What happens if I don’t sign in for self-evaluation on time?
You may face penalties from HMRC. The sooner you speak to a specialist accountant, the better your chances of avoiding fines.
Are gifted PR or free items taxable?
Yes, in many cases, HMRC considers gifts or PR packages as income if they are part of a paid or promoted arrangement.
What’s the easiest way to keep track of my influencer income and expenses?
Use accounting software or spreadsheets and update them regularly. Working with an accountant ensures nothing is missed.