Self Assessment vs Self Employment for Musicians: What’s the Difference?

For many musicians, the terms Self Assessment and self-employment get used interchangeably, but they are not the same. Understanding the difference will make your tax return far easier to manage.

This guide breaks it down clearly, using real explanations we give every week to freelance musicians across the UK.

What is Self Assessment?

Self Assessment is HMRC’s system for collecting all the information needed to calculate your annual tax position.

It covers everything, not just your music income. On one tax return, you may need to report:

• PAYE employment

• Music self-employment income

• Rental income

• Bank interest & dividends

• Student loan repayments

• Gift Aid

• Other taxable earnings

The tax return you complete online is essentially an extremely detailed questionnaire designed to create a full financial picture of your year.

What Is Self Employment for Musicians?

Self employment is your musician business activity; the income you earn from performing, teaching, composing, recording, or any other freelance music work.

On your tax return, this information goes on the Self Employment Pages, where you report:

• Turnover (your total music income before expenses)

• Allowable expenses (e.g., travel, kit, subscriptions, lessons, admin tools)

• Method used (usually cash basis)

This is just one part of the overall Self Assessment return.

Why HMRC Asks So Many Questions

When you start the online return, HMRC asks a series of yes/no questions:

“Do you have employment?”

“Do you have bank interest?”

“Do you have a student loan?”

This is simply so the system can generate the correct sections for your situation. Think of it as an incredibly elaborate Google Form!

Cash Basis: The Default for Musicians

Most musicians report under cash basis, meaning you record income and expenses when the money actually enters or leaves your bank account.

It’s simple, clean, and perfect for freelance musicians.

Understanding Expenses on the Self Employment Pages

You can enter expenses individually or as one combined figure (as long as your income is below the VAT threshold).

Common expense categories musicians claim include:

• Travel & accommodation

• Food during work days

• Lessons/coaching

• Instruments, kit & sheet music

• Clothing (specific, non-everyday use only)

• Marketing, website & PR

• Mobile phone (apportioned)

• Software and subscription services

• Use of home for practice, admin and research

HMRC expects the expense to be wholly and exclusively for your work, or clearly apportioned if you use an item partly for personal use.

Income to Include

Music income includes everything earned as a consequence of trading as a musician.

This can also include some grants, though treatment varies depending on whether the grant is considered trading income or a support award. In uncertain cases, document your reasoning in HMRC’s “white space.”

Using the 'White Space' for Clarity

If anything on your return could be misinterpreted, the white space is where you explain it.

Example:

• Grant received for making a recording

• You believe it's non-taxable scholarship-type support

• You explain the reasoning clearly

This protects you if HMRC ever asks questions later.

Looking Ahead: Quarterly Reporting (MTDfIT)

Over the coming years, more musicians will submit quarterly updates under Making Tax Digital for Income Tax.

Even if your income is currently low, building strong habits now, such as recording income regularly and using a dedicated bank account, will make the transition much easier.

Conclusion

Self Assessment is the full annual process.

Self employment is just your music business within it.

Once you understand how the two interact, your tax return becomes far more straightforward, and you can approach each year with clarity rather than confusion.

If you need support navigating your musician tax return, our specialist team is here to help. From Self Assessment to long-term financial planning, Musicians’ Tax Advisor provides guidance tailored specifically to the music profession.