The Wax Melt Maker's UK Tax Guide 2026/27 | Plain-English HMRC Guide for Wax Melt & Candle Sellers (PDF)

"Do I need to tell HMRC about my wax melts?" If you've asked that in a maker group and got ten different answers, this guide is for you.

The Wax Melt Maker's UK Tax Guide explains, in plain English, how UK tax works for people selling wax melts, snap bars and candles on Etsy, through their own website or Payhip shop, at craft fairs and wholesale. Every rule and figure was checked against gov.uk in October 2026 for the 2026/27 tax year.

Find out when a hobby becomes trading, how the £1,000 trading allowance really works (it's sales, not profit), when and how to register for Self Assessment, and what you can claim, from wax and fragrance oils to clamshells, CLP labels, pitch fees, mileage and working from home. It also covers what Etsy reports to HMRC, Making Tax Digital thresholds, VAT, and the records you must keep.

14 beautifully designed A4 pages with worked examples, Scottish tax bands and a year-end checklist. Pairs perfectly with the Income & Expenses Tracker.

What's included:

- 14-page A4 PDF guide, 2026/27 edition, checked against gov.uk

- Hobby vs trading, the £1,000 trading allowance and Self Assessment key dates

- Wax-maker allowable expenses table, plus home and mileage flat rates

- Etsy digital platform reporting, Making Tax Digital and VAT thresholds explained

- Worked examples, year-end checklist and a quick reference list of gov.uk sources

Small print: General guidance, not tax, financial or legal advice. Check gov.uk or speak to an accountant about your own circumstances.