Most self-employed translators and interpreters split their work between language service agencies (who take a margin before paying you a per-word or hourly rate) and direct clients they've built up relationships with over time. Agencies typically pay you the net rate after their margin, so what you're paid by the agency is your income from that job — unlike CIS trades, there's no gross-vs-net distinction to worry about here. But every agency payment and every direct client payment combines into the same total qualifying income.
Interpreters working through public sector frameworks (courts, NHS, police) are often booked via a central booking system with fixed rates, sometimes including cancellation fees if a booking falls through late. All of this, including cancellation and no-show fees where you're still paid, counts as qualifying income the same as any other work.
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No, unlike CIS trades, agencies pay you the actual amount after their margin, and that's your income from that job. There's no gross-vs-net adjustment needed for MTD purposes.
Yes, if you're paid a cancellation or no-show fee for a booking that falls through, it counts as qualifying income the same as a completed assignment.
Yes, all self-employment income combines into one qualifying income figure, regardless of how many agencies or direct clients you work with.
Yes, software directly used for your translation work, including CAT tools and terminology databases, is a normal allowable business expense.
No, income is income regardless of the source. Court, NHS, police, and private agency work all combine into the same qualifying income figure.