What to track all year so January isn’t a nightmare.
Most rope access techs working for themselves file a Self Assessment tax return. The work isn't hard. It's the year of scattered receipts that makes January painful, and a little routine fixes that.
Log every invoice you raise and every business cost when it happens, not in a panic at year end. Allowable expenses for a rope tech often include PPE, IRATA training and revalidation, insurance, work travel, tools and protective clothing. Keep the receipt for each one.
Set aside a slice of every payment for tax and Class 4 National Insurance. Many techs park 20% to 30% so the bill is never a shock, and a separate savings pot makes it painless.
The online return and payment are due by 31 January after the tax year ends, with a possible payment on account. Miss it and penalties stack up, so set a reminder well ahead.
Cowstail tracks income and expenses all year and exports a clean CSV, so when Self Assessment lands your numbers are already done.