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 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)