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Self Assessment for 2025/26 is due 31 January 2027See what you owe
Open your tax pot

Tax set aside every time a client pays you

Potwise moves the right amount for income tax and National Insurance into a pot that earns interest, ready for January.

Open your tax potFor UK freelancers and sole traders

Used by 38,000 freelancers across the UK

Client paidMaya's clients

  • NSNorthlightPaid today
  • HCHaldenDue 4 Nov
  • BWBrightwellDue 12 Nov
  • OSOstlerDue 28 Nov
Into your tax pot£468.00
Yours to spend£1,932.00
Into your tax pot£600.00
Yours to spend£1,800.00
Into your tax pot£720.00
Yours to spend£1,680.00
Income tax
£360.00
National Insurance
£108.00
Worked out for you
£468.00
Extra buffer
+£132.00
Worked out for you
£468.00
Extra buffer
+£252.00

Never caught out in January again

Your first big bill adds half of next year's tax on top. Potwise saves for both, so the money is there on the 31st.

  1. 31 January 2027The big oneLast year's balance plus your first payment on account, in one go.Biggest bill
  2. 5 April 2027Tax year endsYour pot carries on saving for 2027/28 from the next payment.2026/27
  3. 31 July 2027Second payment on accountThe other half of the advance, paid from the same pot.£4,865.90
  4. 5 October 2027Newly self-employed?Tell HMRC by this date if 2026/27 is your first year on your own.Register

One pot that does the tax maths for you

Potwise watches your account, spots client payments and works out HMRC's share as you earn.

Pay HMRC straight from your potComing soon

See what is really yours to spend

Your bank shows one number. Potwise takes HMRC's part out of it the moment a client pays.

Your bank app says
Potwise says

£2,291.65

of Maya's £8,412.40 belongs to HMRC. Potwise moved it to her tax pot the moment each client paid.

How much to put aside, worked out

2026/27 rates for England, Wales and Northern Ireland: a £12,570 personal allowance, 20% and 40% income tax, and 6% Class 4 National Insurance. Scottish bands if you live in Scotland.

  • £30,000 profit

    15.1%of every client payment
    Income tax
    £3,486.00
    Class 4 National Insurance
    £1,045.80
    The year's bill
    £4,531.80

  • £50,000 profit Maya's year

    19.5%of every client payment
    Income tax
    £7,486.00
    Class 4 National Insurance
    £2,245.80
    The year's bill
    £9,731.80

  • £80,000 profit

    27.9%of every client payment
    Income tax
    £19,432.00
    Class 4 National Insurance
    £2,856.60
    The year's bill
    £22,288.60

Over £100,000, your personal allowance shrinks by £1 for every £2 you earn. Potwise counts that in, so your rate never falls behind.

January came and went quietly

Freelancers across the UK had £214M set aside last tax year, a little from every client payment.

  • £214M

    for income tax and National Insurance, 6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026
  • 38,000freelancers and sole traders across the UK
  • 4.1% AERon every tax pot, paid monthly

Questions freelancers ask

Can't find yours? Our team answers in the app, usually within the hour.

Ask our team
How does Potwise know how much to put aside?

It uses the 2026/27 HMRC rates: a £12,570 personal allowance, then 20% income tax up to £50,270 and 40% above it. Class 4 National Insurance is 6% on profits between £12,570 and £50,270, and 2% above that. Your rate updates as your profit for the year changes.

What are payments on account?

When your last bill was over £1,000, HMRC asks for two advance payments towards next year, on 31 January and 31 July, each half of last year's bill. Potwise adds both to your target.

Can I take money out of my tax pot?

Yes, it is your money and you can move it at any time. Potwise shows you what it does to your January number before you confirm.

Is the money in my pot protected?

Your pot is held with a UK partner bank and FSCS protected up to £120,000 by the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

Do I still need to file a tax return?

Yes. Potwise saves the money; you or your accountant still file your Self Assessment by 31 January. Your pot balance is ready when you pay.

Start your 2026/27 tax pot today

Connect the account your clients pay into, and Potwise sets aside from the very next payment.

Open your tax pot