More hair stylists are choosing to rent a chair rather than stay on payroll. And we can see the appeal. Renting a chair offers greater flexibility, more control over pricing and the hours you work, and the opportunity to build your own client base. On the surface, it can look like an exciting next step. But switching to self-employment is not just a change in how you are paid. It alters your legal responsibilities, your tax position and quite likely, your stress levels! Are you thinking of renting a chair and going self-employed? Here is what to consider before you make the move. What changes when you become self-employed? If you rent a chair, you are usually classed as self-employed. That means you are no longer taxed through PAYE. Instead, you are responsible for: Registering for Self-Assessment with HMRC Keeping records of your income and expenses Submitting a tax return each year Paying Income Tax and National Insurance yourself You will typically pay Class 2 and Class 4 National Insurance contributions, depending on your profits. Tax is calculated on your profit, not your turnover. In simple terms, that is your income minus allowable business expenses. It also means no employer sick pay, no holiday pay and no automatic pension contributions. The trade-off is that you have more control over your pricing, hours and potentially your earnings. Understanding your tax bill One of the biggest shocks for newly self-employed stylists is how tax is paid. Instead of tax being deducted weekly or monthly, you pay in larger instalments. For many, this includes “payments on account” – advance payments towards the following year’s tax bill. If you do not set money aside regularly, the first tax bill can feel overwhelming. A sensible rule of thumb is to set aside around 25 to 30% of everything you earn into a separate savings account. For most basic rate taxpayers, this will usually cover Income Tax and Class 4 National Insurance, with a small buffer. If your profits increase and you move into higher rate tax, you may need to set aside more. Making Tax Digital is coming The government is rolling out Making Tax Digital for Income Tax for self-employed businesses. From April 2026, those with annual business income over £50,000 will need to keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC using compatible software. This is a change from the old annual tax return mindset. Regular, digital record-keeping will help you track your taxes as you go and avoid surprises. If you are not already using digital accounting tools, now is the time to start. Good software connects your invoices, expenses and bank transactions and makes reporting simpler. What can you claim as expenses? Running your own business means you can claim certain costs against your income. Common examples for hair stylists include: Chair rental fees Professional products and tools Insurance Training courses Marketing and advertising A proportion of mobile phone costs Uniform or branded clothing If you work from home for part of your admin, you may also be able to claim a small amount for home office use. Tip: Clear record-keeping matters. Keep receipts and use accounting software or a simple spreadsheet. The more organised you are, the easier it is to stay compliant and avoid overpaying. Are you genuinely self-employed? It is important that your working arrangement reflects the reality of your situation. If the salon controls your hours, pricing and how you work, HMRC may question whether you are truly self-employed. The distinction between employment and self-employment affects tax, rights and responsibilities. Before switching, it is worth reviewing your contract and understanding where you stand. Avoiding common mistakes Newly self-employed stylists often make similar errors: Failing to register for Self-Assessment on time Not saving enough for tax Mixing personal and business spending Forgetting about payments on account Missing filing deadlines Penalties and interest can add up quickly. Most issues are avoidable with early advice and a basic system. A growing opportunity As more stylists explore self-employment, practical, straightforward advice becomes essential. For hair professionals considering the move, the key questions are simple: Do you understand your responsibilities? Have you budgeted for your tax bill? Are your records ready for digital reporting? Taking time to get the basics right can make the difference between a stressful first year and a confident start to running your own business. How we can help At Navigate, we work with self-employed individuals and small businesses across a range of trades, including those in the personal care sector. We help new and established self-employed stylists set up properly from day one. That includes registering with HMRC, setting up simple digital bookkeeping that meets Making Tax Digital requirements, explaining how much to set aside for tax and National Insurance, and helping you avoid the common pitfalls that catch people out in their first year. If you are thinking about going self-employed, or you have already made the move and want reassurance that everything is set up correctly, we are here to help. You can call us on 01709 589 439 or book a call with our team to talk it through.

Recent figures from the Office for National Statistics suggest that wage growth in the UK is beginning to ease. Between September and November, average pay growth slowed to 4.5%, with private sector wage increases falling to their lowest rate in five years. At the same time, the number of people on company payrolls dropped by 135,000, with retail and hospitality seeing some of the sharpest declines. On the surface, this might sound like just dry data. But there are some very real implications for small businesses. A slowdown that feels counterintuitive For many business owners, particularly those who have worked hard to retain staff through recent years of uncertainty, the idea that slower wage growth could be “good news” feels odd. After all, rising wages usually mean happier teams and lower turnover. But from a wider economic perspective, slower wage growth reduces pressure on inflation. When wages rise quickly, people tend to spend more, pushing prices up. That is one of the reasons the Bank of England has kept interest rates high. With wage growth easing and inflation falling slightly, economists believe this increases the likelihood of interest rate cuts later this year. That matters for small businesses because interest rates affect borrowing costs, cash flow, and confidence. Why small businesses are feeling the pinch The data also points to a more cautious trading environment. Payroll numbers fell even heading into the Christmas period, when many businesses would normally expect increased activity. For owner-managed and family businesses, this reflects ongoing pressure from rising costs, tighter margins, and customers being more selective with their spending. What small business owners should take from this For business owners, this data is not something to overly worry about, but it is something to factor into planning. A few practical points to consider: Wage planning needs to be realistic. Pay rises should be affordable for the business and sustainable over the long term. Cash flow deserves close attention. When margins are tight, understanding timing and commitments becomes critical. Hiring decisions should be carefully considered. Taking someone on is a long-term cost, not just a short-term solution. Interest rate changes could help later. While rates may hold in the short term, easing borrowing costs could bring some relief. Clear numbers support better decisions. Knowing where the business really stands helps remove uncertainty. A reminder about context Economic headlines rarely tell the full story on their own. Slowing wage growth does not mean wages are falling, nor does it mean businesses should stop investing in their people. What it does mean is that the rapid changes of recent years are settling, and businesses are entering a phase where careful planning and clear information matter more than ever. Understanding that context helps owners make measured decisions rather than reacting to headlines alone. How we can help At Navigate Accountancy, we support small and family-run businesses with clear, practical advice you can rely on. We understand how changes in wages, staffing, and costs affect both the business and the people behind it. If you would like help reviewing payroll costs, planning pay increases, or sense-checking decisions around cash flow and staffing, we are always happy to talk things through. You can call us on 01709 589 439 or book a call with our team .