Enter like-for-like income
Use a comparable annual gross amount for both routes.
← All calculatorsWORKING STATUS CALCULATOR
Employed vs self-employed
Compare indicative tax and take-home income from employment and self-employment on a like-for-like basis.
HOW THIS CALCULATOR WORKS
A useful estimate starts with the right inputs.
This calculator compares indicative take-home income when the same headline amount is earned through employment or self-employment. It adjusts the self-employed side for allowable expenses and applies the tax and National Insurance assumptions for each route.
Add self-employed costs
Include genuine allowable business expenses, not personal spending.
Compare money and protections
Use the tax result alongside holiday, pension, security and employment-status factors.
UNDERSTAND YOUR RESULT
What the numbers are telling you.
Employed take-home
Indicative net salary after the supported employee deductions.
Self-employed take-home
Indicative business profit after the supported taxes and expenses.
Estimated difference
A cash comparison that does not value employment benefits or commercial risk.
BEFORE YOU ACT
Important points the headline number cannot decide.
- ✓Employees may receive paid leave, pension contributions and statutory protections
- ✓Self-employed workers fund non-billable time and business risk
- ✓Employment status is determined by working reality, not preference alone
- ✓IR35 or off-payroll rules may apply through intermediaries
WORKING-STATUS ADVICE
Discuss my situation →Tax is only one part of the status decision.
Get professional help reviewing the facts, risks and reporting responsibilities before changing how work is structured.
COMMON QUESTIONS
What to know before relying on the estimate.
Can I simply choose to be self-employed?+
No. Employment status depends on the facts of the working relationship, including control, substitution, mutuality and financial risk. The label in a contract is not conclusive.
Does the comparison value employee benefits?+
No. The cash result should be considered alongside employer pension contributions, paid leave, sick pay, insurance, equipment and job security.
Is this calculation tax advice?+
No. It is an indicative estimate based on the information entered and the rules configured for the selected tax year. Your final position can change because of other income, reliefs, benefits, residence status and personal circumstances.
NEED CERTAINTY?
Speak to a tax expert →Make the next decision with confidence.
A vetted tax professional can check the assumptions and help you act on the result.