Setting off losses against other income sources

If you are self-employed or a member of a partnership, you may be able to claim tax relief when your business makes a loss. There are several ways trading losses can be used, but each loss can only be used once and specific conditions apply.

For the 2025–26 tax year, losses can be set against your total income for the same year and/or the previous tax year (2024–25). You must use the loss as far as possible in one year before applying any remaining amount elsewhere. If losses are not fully relieved against income, any remaining balance may, in some cases, be set against chargeable gains.

A claim can also be made for losses made in the first 4 years of trade known as early trade losses relief. This allows losses to be carried back against income of the three earlier tax years (2022–23, 2023-24 and 2024–25), starting with the earliest year. Claims must generally be made by 31 January 2027.

Unused losses can be carried forward and set against future profits of the same trade. In certain cases, where a business is incorporated, losses may be set against income from the company (known as pre-incorporation relief).

If your business ceases, terminal loss relief may apply. Losses arising in the final 12 months can be carried back against profits of the same trade for up to three previous tax years, starting with the most recent.

Relief may be restricted if the trade is not commercial or is carried on without a view to profit. In addition, an overall cap applies to certain income tax reliefs, limiting claims to the higher of £50,000 or 25% of adjusted total income.