Universal Credit Self-Employed Spreadsheet 2026/27 (Excel & Google Sheets)

Self-employed and on Universal Credit? Keep one set of records and get two reports from it: the figures to type into your UC journal every assessment period, and your Self Assessment figures at the end of the 2026/27 tax year. Works in Excel and Google Sheets.

Built for self-employed people in the UK who get Universal Credit: hairdressers, cleaners, drivers, tradespeople, carers, makers and anyone else working for themselves.

WHAT IT DOES FOR YOU

• Works in your own assessment periods (for example 14th to 13th), not calendar months. Type the day yours starts and every period fills in
• Shows the date each report opens and the last day to send it. DWP won't remind you, so the Dashboard does
• Gives you the four figures for your UC journal: money in, money out, income tax and NI paid, and pension paid
• Works out UC mileage (45p for the first 833 miles each period, then 25p) and HMRC mileage (55p for the first 10,000 miles a year, then 25p) from the same trips
• Shows how each cost is treated. UC doesn't allow ordinary car fuel or client meals, and caps business loan interest at £41 a month. The workbook flags these for you
• Follows DWP's steps to your earnings: tax and NI taken off in the month you pay, pension, and losses banked and used later, oldest first
• Minimum Income Floor check: shows the earnings DWP will use and how far below the floor you are
• Builds your Self Assessment figures and a tax estimate from the same records, so there's no second spreadsheet

WHAT'S INSIDE (15 tabs + an example file)

• UC Monthly Report: 16 assessment periods with report-from and report-by dates, the figures to report, losses and the Minimum Income Floor
• Money In and Money Out: 1,000 rows each, with category drop-downs, business-use % and a Check column that flags mistakes
• Mileage: 500 trips, with the UC and HMRC claims worked out separately
• Home Hours: the working-from-home flat rate for UC (work and marketing hours only) and HMRC (all business hours)
• Dashboard: this period, money in so far, your next report date, reports overdue, a period-by-period table and a chart
• Settings: your period start day, Minimum Income Floor details and a PAYE job if you have one
• Annual Summary: totals matched to HMRC's self-employment boxes
• Tax Estimate: Income Tax, Class 4 NI, the £1,000 trading allowance check and payments on account
• UC vs HMRC Rules: every difference explained in plain English
• Plus Start Here guide, Key Dates, Checklists, Rates (with GOV.UK sources) and Lists

YOU'LL RECEIVE

• Blank Excel spreadsheet (.xlsx)
• Example Excel spreadsheet filled with a sample mobile hairdresser on UC
• PDF with your Google Sheets links (click "Make a copy")

WORKS WITH

Microsoft Excel 2016 or newer (Windows and Mac) and Google Sheets with a free Google account. Set up on a computer; after that you can check it on your phone.

PLEASE NOTE

• Digital download only. No physical item will be sent.
• This spreadsheet keeps your records and works out the figures to report. It doesn't send anything to DWP or HMRC, and it doesn't work out your UC payment, which depends on your household.
• It's a record-keeping tool, not benefits, tax or financial advice. Always check your UC statement, and contact Citizens Advice or Turn2us for free help if something doesn't look right.
• Built for single claimants who are sole traders. Couples' combined earnings, surplus earnings, limited companies and VAT-registered businesses aren't covered.
• Uses 2026/27 rates for England, Wales and Northern Ireland. Scottish income tax bands are different, so the tax estimate won't be exact in Scotland. Student loans and the High Income Child Benefit Charge aren't included.
• Designed by me with the help of AI tools, then checked and tested by hand.
• For your own use only. Please don't share or resell.

Questions or stuck? Use the Contact link at the top of my store and I'll reply within 24 hours.