Tactical tax strategies for self-employed security professionals

Long hours. Shifting sites. Clients who don’t play by the rules. When you’re self-employed in security work, sorting your tax can feel like just another job you don’t have time for. But it’s also a chance to save money and claim back what you’re owed. From mileage and licence fees to training and equipment, there are legitimate ways to reduce your tax bill. And RIFT is here to help you do it right.

So, can a security guard be self-employed and prosper? Read on to find out what you can claim, how self-assessment works and how to take control of your tax with expert support.

Self-employment and tax considerations for security professionals

Many security professionals work for themselves, either as sole traders or through limited companies. You might take shifts as a freelance event guard, operate as a night security contractor or offer cyber security services to multiple clients.

Working across different sites or contracts can make your tax responsibilities more complicated. You might have income from several sources, expenses to track and questions about what you can claim.

We support thousands of self-employed security workers just like you, helping to cut through the confusion and maximise what you get back from HMRC.

How you pay your tax

If you’re self-employed, you’ll pay your tax through the self-assessment system. This means submitting a tax return to HMRC each year, detailing your income and any allowable expenses. To get started, you need to:

• Register as self-employed with HMRC
• Get your Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR) number – this is essential for filing returns

Two key deadlines to keep in mind include:

1. Register with HMRC by 5 October following the end of the tax year.
2. Submit your tax return by 31 January each year.

More information on tax deadlines

As a sole trader, your income is treated as your personal earnings. If you run a limited company, the business is separate from you legally, so you’ll usually pay yourself through a mix of salary and dividends. You may also need to pay corporation tax.

How much you need to pay

As a self-employed security professional, you’ll pay tax based on your income after expenses. For the 2025/26 tax year, the UK tax bands are:

If you’re a sole trader, these rates apply directly to your profits. If you run a limited company, you’ll pay corporation tax on your company’s profits and income tax on what you pay yourself.

You’ll also need to consider National Insurance Contributions (NICs), which apply to most self-employed workers depending on your earnings. Understanding your structure helps you plan better and avoid surprises when your tax bill is due.

Saving money on your tax: understanding allowable expenses

Knowing what you can and can’t claim makes a big difference to your final tax bill. HMRC allows you to deduct certain business costs, known as allowable expenses, before working out how much tax you owe.

What you can claim as a security professional

If you’re self-employed in the security industry, you can claim for a range of business-related costs, including:

• Uniforms and protective clothing
• SIA licence fees
• Mileage when travelling to temporary work sites
• Phone bills used for work calls or client contact
• Training courses that keep your skills up to date or improve your current role

These are all considered essential to doing your job and could reduce your tax bill significantly.

What doesn’t count

Not everything you spend can be claimed against your tax. HMRC won’t allow deductions for:

• Everyday clothing, even if you wear it for work
• Travel to permanent job sites
• Personal expenses, like meals or entertainment unrelated to your business
• Training not related to your current work

Understanding the difference between personal and business costs is key to avoiding mistakes in your tax return.

Claiming your mileage allowance

If you travel to temporary work sites as part of your self-employed security role, you might be able to claim mileage allowance. HMRC defines a temporary workplace as a location you work at for less than 24 months or not regularly.

HMRC mileage rates

• First 10,000 miles (cars): 45p per mile
• Over 10,000 miles (cars): 25p per mile
• Motorcycles: 24p per mile

For example, if you drove 15,000 miles last year for temporary assignments:

• 10,000 miles × 45p = £4,500
• 5,000 miles × 25p = £1,250
• Total claim = £5,750

Use our free mileage claim calculator to get an estimate of how much you could be owed back.

Mileage Calculator

Mileage tracking matters

You’ll need to keep accurate records of each journey. This includes the date, reason for travel, start and end points, and total miles. You can use a physical logbook or mileage tracking app to stay on top of it.

Tax tips from our experts

We’ve helped thousands of self-employed security professionals get their tax right. Here are a few key tips to help you stay in control and make the most of what you’re entitled to:

Keep clear records

Save receipts, invoices and mileage logs. Good record-keeping is essential for accurate claims and avoiding issues with HMRC.

Know your allowances

You can claim tax relief on a range of business expenses, including training to update your skills and pension contributions, which reduce your taxable income while saving for the future.

Plan for tax time

Set money aside throughout the year so you’re ready for your tax bill by 31 January. Don’t leave it to chance or the last minute.

Use an expert

When you’re focused on your job, tax admin can fall through the cracks. We can take care of everything, helping you avoid mistakes, file on time and get the biggest tax refund possible.

What are your next steps?

Understanding your tax responsibilities means more money in your pocket and less stress when deadlines come around. From mileage claims to licence fees and pension relief, there are plenty of ways to reduce your tax bill as a self-employed security professional.

And you don’t have to do it alone. We have the experience, tools and team to guide you through every step, making tax feel simpler, faster and more rewarding. Get in touch with us to start your journey.

Security tax FAQs

Can I claim tax back on my SIA licence?

If you’ve paid for your SIA licence yourself and it’s essential to your job, it counts as an allowable expense. You can claim this cost on your self-assessment tax return.

What expenses can I claim as a freelance security guard?

You can claim for uniforms, mileage to temporary work sites, SIA licence fees, phone bills used for work and relevant training courses. Personal items or everyday clothing are not claimable.

How do I prove my mileage to HMRC?

Keep detailed records of each journey, including date, start and end locations, miles travelled and purpose of the trip. A logbook or mileage app can help you stay organised.

Should I register as a sole trader or a limited company?

It depends on how you want to run your business. Sole traders have simpler tax requirements, while limited companies can offer more flexibility with income but with extra admin. We can help you decide what’s best.

Do cyber security consultants get different tax reliefs?

The rules are the same, but the types of expenses may differ. For example, cyber consultants might claim for software, home office costs or specialist training. RIFT can help tailor your claim to your work.

How far back can I claim a tax refund as a security guard?

You can usually claim tax refunds for the last four tax years. That means if you’ve missed out in previous years, it’s not too late to get your money back.

What happens if I miss the self-assessment deadline?

HMRC may issue a late filing penalty, starting at £100. Interest and additional fines can apply the longer you leave it. If you’ve missed a deadline, get in touch with us. We’ll help you get back on track.