For UK creators going self-employed
The business side of being a creator, sorted. For creators on TikTok, YouTube, Instagram, Spotify, Twitch and Patreon.
Get set up for self-employed tax, never miss an HMRC deadline and handle brand deals properly. Step by step and in plain English, from a creator who’s done it all before.
Built by Arran: 14 years as a creator, now running a UK YouTube company with a team of 14+
Your set-up
3 of 5 done
- Check if MTD applies (done)
- Open a free Mettle business account (done)
- Switch on FreeAgent (done)
- Link FreeAgent to HMRCNext
- Add your deadlines and reminders
31 Jan 2027 · Next deadline
Self Assessment return and payment
Reminders 14 and 3 days before
117days to go
- YouTube
- TikTok
- Twitch
- Spotify
- Patreon
Who it’s for
Made for you if…
You’ve just started earning
Your first AdSense payout or brand deal. Once you earn more than £1,000 in a tax year from your content, you’ll usually need to register for Self Assessment.
Making Tax Digital is coming
New HMRC rules start from April 2026 if your qualifying income is over £50,000, then from April 2027 over £30,000 and April 2028 over £20,000.
You’re starting to grow
Bigger brand deals, your first editor or thumbnail artist. Get contracts, invoices and payments right from the start.
Tools
Everything but the content, in one place
Six tools are ready on day one. Members get the next six first, as each one launches, at no extra cost.
Ready on day one
- At launch
Guided set-up
Register with HMRC, open a free Mettle account, switch on FreeAgent and link it to HMRC. We show you every click.
- At launch
Deadline calendar
Every Self Assessment and Making Tax Digital date that applies to you, in one place.
- At launch
Email reminders
A nudge 14 days and 3 days before each deadline, so nothing sneaks up on you.
- At launch
Playbooks
Plain-English guides: your first brand deal, invoicing, what to put aside for tax, hiring an editor.
- Free
MTD checker
Two minutes to see if and when Making Tax Digital applies to you. No sign-up.
- At launch
Late-payment calculator
A brand paid late? Work out the interest and fixed fee you can claim.
Coming next, members first
- Coming soon
Brand deal tracker
Every deal from first email to paid: fees, deliverables and due dates.
- Coming soon
Contract check
Flags the clauses to ask about before you sign, like usage rights, exclusivity and payment terms.
- Coming soon
Invoices and chasing
See who owes you what, and get a nudge to chase when a brand pays late.
- Coming soon
Income in one view
AdSense, TikTok, brand deals and affiliates added up in one place.
- Coming soon
Team and freelancers
Contracts and payments for editors, thumbnail artists and writers.
- Coming soon
Video pipeline
The production tracker behind a 14-person channel, from idea to upload.
How it works
Sorted in an afternoon
Step 1
Check where you stand
Two minutes. See if you need to register and when Making Tax Digital starts for you.
Step 2
Get set up
One sitting, about an hour. We show you every screen. You do the HMRC parts yourself, so you stay in control.
Step 3
Stay on top
Reminders before every deadline, playbooks when something new comes up, and new tools as they land.
From someone who’s done it
“I run a company with staff, and even I wasn’t sure if MTD applied to me.”
I’m Arran. I’ve been a creator for 14 years and now run a UK YouTube company with 14+ editors, thumbnail artists, writers and staff. Creator Lot is the set-up I built for my own business, opened up to every creator.
- Guided set-up for self-employed tax and Making Tax Digital
- Deadline calendar with email reminders
- Every playbook and calculator
- Each new tool as it launches, at no extra cost
- Mettle and FreeAgent cost nothing extra. Check their current terms.
Questions
Do I still need an accountant?
Not to get set up. Lots of sole traders do their own tax return, and we guide you through it. If your situation is complicated, an accountant is still worth it, and we’ll say so.
Is this tax advice?
No. We give you tools and general information, and point you to HMRC or an accountant when you need advice about your own situation. You always submit to HMRC yourself.
Do you file my tax return?
No. You file it yourself in FreeAgent, and we show you how. We never contact HMRC for you.
What are Mettle and FreeAgent?
Mettle is a free business bank account from NatWest. FreeAgent is accounting software that HMRC recognises, and it’s free with a Mettle account. We’re not affiliated with either.
Can I cancel?
Yes, any time from your account.