Web Designer

Responsive tax advice for self-employed web designers and UX professionals.

Allowable Expenses

• Design & Prototyping Tools — Figma, Adobe XD, Webflow, and other UI/UX design tools used professionally — fully deductible subscriptions.
• Domain & Hosting (Client) — Domains and hosting purchased on behalf of clients — recharge these to clients as income and cost of sales.
• Fonts & Design Assets — Commercial font licences, icon sets, and UI kits purchased for client websites.
• Professional Development — UX courses, accessibility training, and design system workshops.
• Home Office & Broadband — High-speed broadband, desk, and a proportional share of home utility costs for remote work.
• Project Management Software — Notion, Asana, ClickUp, or Basecamp subscriptions for managing client projects.

Tax Tips

• Client hosting costs recharged are not your expense — only absorb them into your income if you are marking them up.
• Freelance web design platforms (Squarespace Partner, Webflow Partner) often involve revenue sharing — declare the full income you receive.
• Your own website design and development costs can be claimed as a marketing expense.
• WebAIM or WCAG accessibility courses are deductible professional development — accessibility is a business skill.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I claim Figma, Webflow, and other SaaS subscriptions?

Yes. All professional design and development tool subscriptions used for client work are fully deductible as office costs or professional subscriptions on your Self Assessment return.

How do I handle domain and hosting purchased for clients?

If you buy a domain or hosting and recharge it to the client, it is both income and a cost of sale — the net effect is zero. If you absorb it as part of your flat fee, it reduces your profit and is deductible as a business cost.

Do I need to charge VAT on web design services?

Web design is a standard-rated service. Once your taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in any rolling 12-month period, you must register for VAT and charge 20% on your services. Below the threshold, VAT registration is optional but voluntary registration has advantages if your clients are VAT-registered businesses.

Is designing my own portfolio website a deductible expense?

Yes. Your own website is a marketing expense — the design, development, hosting, and domain costs for your business's own website are fully deductible as advertising and marketing costs.