Language Teacher

Translate your teaching income into maximum tax efficiency.

Allowable Expenses

• Teaching Materials — Language textbooks, coursebooks, grammar guides, listening resources, and printed exercise materials.
• Online Teaching Platform — Italki, Preply, Verbling, Zoom Pro, and virtual whiteboard subscriptions used to deliver online lessons.
• Home Office — Broadband, webcam, microphone, ring light, and a proportion of home utility costs for online teaching.
• Professional Membership — CILT (Chartered Institute of Linguists) or Association for Language Learning (ALL) membership fees.
• Language Proficiency Tests — Fees for maintaining or renewing certified language proficiency qualifications used for your teaching credentials.
• Travel for In-Person Lessons — Mileage or public transport to teach at corporate offices, schools, or students' homes.

Tax Tips

• Platform commission deducted by Italki, Preply, or similar is a deductible cost — you only pay tax on net income received.
• Teaching business English to corporate clients may involve different VAT rules than individual tuition — get advice if your turnover is approaching £90,000.
• Income from selling language learning materials (PDFs, videos, courses) is taxable trading income.
• If you teach students from other countries online, check the place of supply VAT rules for digital services.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the platform commission get deducted from my income?

Platform commission (from Italki, Preply, Verbling, etc.) is a deductible business expense. You should declare either the gross income and deduct the commission, or declare only the net income received — both approaches are acceptable provided they are consistent.

Are language learning trips deductible?

Only if there is a direct, demonstrable link to your teaching activities — for example, a trip specifically to attend a teaching methodology workshop in that country. General immersion holidays or cultural trips do not qualify as business expenses.

Is income from selling language course materials taxable?

Yes. Income from selling PDFs, online video courses, pronunciation guides, or any other digital learning materials is taxable trading income and must be declared on your Self Assessment return.

Can I claim a ring light and webcam as teaching equipment?

Yes. Equipment purchased specifically for online teaching — ring lights, professional webcams, microphones, green screens, and virtual whiteboard tablets — are business assets claimable via the Annual Investment Allowance. If the equipment is also used personally, claim only the business proportion.