The UK government’s 2024 Budget, announced this autumn, lays out the tax rates for the next two years. Taxes can be tricky, so we’ll break it down in a simple way to understand how these rates affect the money you take home if you’re employed or self-employed. In this blog, we’ll focus on Income Tax and Dividend Tax, looking at the 2024-2025 tax year and what remains the same through 2025-2026.
Understanding the Tax Rates for 2024-2025
There are different Tax Types that have Tax Band categories as well, below is the detailed taxation table for 2024-25:
| Tax Type | Tax Band | 2024-2025 | 2025-2026 |
| Income Tax | Personal Allowance | Up to £12,570 | Up to £12,570 |
| Income Tax | Basic Rate | £12,570 – £50,270 (20%) | £12,570 – £50,270 (20%) |
| Income Tax | Higher Rate | £50,271 – £125,140 (40%) | £50,271 – £125,140 (40%) |
| Income Tax | Additional Rate | Over £125,140 (45%) | Over £125,140 (45%) |
| Dividend Tax | Allowance | £500 | £500 |
| Dividend Tax | Basic Rate | 8.75% | 8.75% |
| Dividend Tax | Higher Rate | 33.75% | 33.75% |
| Dividend Tax | Additional Rate | 39.35% | 39.35% |
How Taxes Compare: Employees vs. Sole Traders
Comparing £30,000 salary for employee and Sole trader and what is optimum strategy for sole traders?
| Individual Type | Income Breakdown | 2024-2025 Tax Year Tax Calculation | Optimum Strategy |
| Employee | Salary of £30,000 | – Income Tax: (£30,000 – £12,570) * 20% = £3,486 |
N/A for employees |
| Sole Trader | £12,570 salary + dividends | – Income Tax on Salary: £0 (within personal allowance) – Dividend Tax: (£17,430 – £500) * 8.75% = £1,482 |
Draw £12,570 salary, balance as dividends |
Comparing the Take-Home Income
There are different types of take home incomes, the most popular are sole traders and employee:
| Individual Type | Tax Paid (2024-2025) | Net Income After Tax | Percentage Difference |
| Employee | £3,486 | £26,514 | – |
| Sole Trader | £1,482 | £28,518 | 58% less tax than employee |
Why Does a Sole Trader Pay Less Tax?
Sole traders pay less because of the way dividends are taxed. They only pay 8.75% on dividends after the first £500 allowance. In comparison, employees are taxed at 20% on most of their income, which means they pay more in taxes.
By taking a tax-free salary and the rest as dividends, sole traders maximize their income while paying less in taxes. It’s a smart way to structure income, taking advantage of the lower tax rate on dividends.
What Does This Mean for Future Earnings?
Since income and dividend tax rates are frozen through 2025-2026, these strategies can still work well for anyone who is self-employed or considering self-employment. However, there are other aspects to think about:
Sole Traders Must Do Their Own Taxes: While employees have taxes automatically deducted, sole traders are responsible for their own taxes, which requires more planning.
Benefits and Stability for Employees: Employees often get other benefits like paid holidays and pensions, which sole traders don’t automatically receive.
Even with lower taxes, sole traders need to consider the added responsibilities of managing income and tax filings on their own.
Summary
For people making £30,000 a year, being a sole trader with a split income (salary and dividends) results in significant tax savings—keeping around £28,518 compared to an employee’s £26,514. The UK Budget 2024 has kept tax rates steady, which means these strategies remain relevant for anyone looking to maximize their take-home income.
In short, understanding these tax bands and knowing how to structure your income can make a big difference in what you actually get to keep!