The information below is of a general nature for information purposes and should not be relied on as advice. You should seek advice from a tax professional, who’ll be able to advise you based on your specific circumstances.
For more information, watch our webinar with Earnr or read their blog. You can also ask other tutors for their advice in our community.
How do I file a tax return?
When you’re a tutor at MyTutor, you need to submit a self-assessment tax return to HMRC.
There are four ways you can submit your tax return:
Through the post - Send a filled-in paper tax through the mail. Just make sure you’re using the right form.
Online with HMRC - Enter all your details directly through the government website.
Through an app or website - Use an app or website specialised in tax returns and have them submit this to HMRC for you.
With an Accountant - Hire an accountant who will submit your return on your behalf with HMRC.
Each option has its benefits and drawbacks. For example, if you decide to submit your tax return through the mail, then you have to do this by the 31st of October (three months before the online deadline).
How do I get my UTR number?
Once you’ve registered for a UTR number with HMRC, you will receive your UTR number in a letter from HMRC through the post. This usually takes about two weeks, but can sometimes take up to four weeks.
Once your UTR number is processed by HMRC, you can also find it on your personal profile on the government website.
Do I have to pay taxes?
In the UK, you might need to pay different types of Tax. This includes value-added tax (VAT), Income tax, and National Insurance.
As a Tutor through MyTutor, your VAT is taken care of already. So you only need to consider Income tax and National Insurance.
Whether you have to pay either Income Tax or National Insurance will depend on whether you’ve crossed the threshold for this. For the 2022/23 tax year, the thresholds you want to keep in mind are:
You don't pay income tax if you earned less than £12,570
You don't pay National Insurance if you earned less than £11,909
Not paying your tax bill will lead to hefty fines and can have dire negative consequences.
What expenses can I declare as a tutor?
If you’re a tutor at MyTutor then you’re allowed to claim expenses on your tax return. What’s most important to keep in mind is that expenses must have been incurred “wholly and exclusively” for the purposes of being a Tutor to be allowable for tax purposes.
This often includes stationary, course materials, your internet, accountant fees, and expenses you’ve incurred by working from home.
How do I start the process of filling out my form?
Self-assessment tax returns are often a lot more complicated than it seems. While filling in the actual form is quite straightforward, the work that goes into preparing what to put in the form is often the most time-consuming.
The best way to start the process of filling out your tax return is to get all the information together you need to include on your tax return.
For a Tutor, this usually includes:
Personal details (like your National Insurance and UTR number)
Summary of all your income (including all the invoices from MyTutor)
Summary of all your expenses (including all the receipts of your expenses)
Details of any other employment (if you were also employed)
It’s often the calculations around your income and expenses that take the most time.