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What is CSP tax?

  • 2 min read
  • Last updated 3 Jun 2023

CSP tax refers to how tax works as a member of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy.

This varies depending on whether you are a self-employed physiotherapist or an employed one. Otherwise, it’s no different from the tax that you pay in any other profession. 

What tax does a physio pay?

As part of the UK workforce, we all have to pay two types of tax:

  1. Income tax – based on your earnings
  2. National Insurance – to entitle you to state-provided support

If you’re employed, your taxes will be sorted by your employer. The only reason that you would be asked to do a tax return is if you earn more than £100,000 per year. 

You may also have to do a tax return if you incur expenses that your employer doesn’t pay you back for, but this is only if they exceed £2,500 per tax year. Anything less than £2,500 can be claimed back using a P87 form

What is a P87?

A P87 form allows you to claim your expenses from work when you’re employed, rather than self-employed.

You do this via HMRC, giving them the below information:

  • Employer’s name and address
  • Your occupation
  • Job title
  • Industry sector
  • Your National Insurance Number and PAYE reference
  • Whether you’re claiming flat rate expenses
  • How you want to be paid – into your bank account or by cheque?

What about self-employed CSP tax?

If you’re a self-employed physiotherapy practitioner, you have to pay the tax you owe yourself.

You do this via a tax return

Here are some key dates to remember:

  • 6th April to 5th April – the tax year, the period in which you record your income and expenses
  • 5th October – deadline to register for self-employment with HMRC
  • 31st January – deadline to pay your tax return

What are CSP tax expenses?

You can claim back your expenses as a self-employed physiotherapist. 

Deducting your expenses means that you only pay tax on your profit, rather than your income as a whole. And this is great to help you reduce your tax bills. 

Here’s a list of expenses that you might incur as a physiotherapist:

  •  Membership subscription fees
  • Uniform
  • Specialist shoes or clothes
  • Equipment
  • Mileage
  • Travel and overnight business expenses
  • Utility bills (if you work from home)

Claiming mileage?

Check out our Mileage Allowance calculator. Tell us the miles you travelled and the vehicle you drove and we’ll let you know what you can deduct.

Do you own the vehicle you use for work?
Did you buy the vehicle specifically to use for work?
Type of vehicle
How many miles do you drive per year?
If you’re self-employed and use your car for work, you can claim back a flat rate for your usage costs using the Mileage Allowance. If you’re employed, claim the mileage tax relief instead.

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