Who is Hamster for?
Anyone in the UK earning on the side as a sole trader: delivery and gig work, selling online, freelancing or creating content, usually alongside a job. It isn’t built for limited companies or partnerships.
What does it cost?
The core app is free: logging earnings and costs, the tax and National Insurance estimate and what to set aside. Hamster Premium is optional, at £4.99 a month, yearly option available, billed through Google Play. 14-day free trial on Android. Cancel any time in your store’s subscription settings.
Is Hamster on iPhone?
Not yet. For now Hamster is on Google Play for Android. Tap “iPhone: email me when it’s live” next to the Google Play button and we’ll email you when it’s on the App Store.
Do I need to connect my bank account?
No. Hamster never asks for your bank login or open-banking access. You add earnings yourself, or with Premium you can import an Uber or Deliveroo CSV, or a PDF bank statement that Hamster reads on your phone (rolling out now on Android; not on iPhone yet). Nothing from the statement is uploaded.
Where is my data kept?
On your phone. There’s no account or login, and nothing you enter is sent to a server run by Hamster. Your tax figures never leave your device. Deleting the app deletes everything it stores.
Does Hamster file my tax return for me?
No. Hamster gets your figures ready. With Premium you can export a PDF with your figures labelled by the SA103S self-employment (short) boxes, then file your return yourself on GOV.UK or pass the PDF to your accountant.
Is this tax advice? Is Hamster approved by HMRC?
No to both. Hamster’s figures are estimates based on what you enter and the published rates. They’re a guide, not tax advice. Hamster isn’t affiliated with or endorsed by HMRC.
When is the Self Assessment deadline?
For the 2025–26 tax year (6 April 2025 to 5 April 2026), the online return must be filed, and any tax owed paid, by 31 January 2027.
Does it work if I live in Scotland, or have a student loan?
Not fully yet. Hamster uses the Income Tax bands for England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and Scotland has its own. Class 4 National Insurance is the same across the UK. Student loan repayments aren’t included in the estimate.
How do I cancel Premium?
In your Google Play subscription settings. Premium stays on until the end of the period you’ve paid for. Deleting the app doesn’t cancel the subscription.
Which banks does statement import work with?
So far it has been tested with Chase statements and with sample statements. It reads PDF statements downloaded from your banking app, and refuses any statement it can’t fully check against the printed balances. If yours doesn’t work, tell us at hamsterapptax@gmail.com.
More help
For tax questions, start with our side hustle tax guides or the free side hustle tax calculator. For what Premium adds, see Premium and pricing.
General information, not tax advice. Check GOV.UK or an accountant for your own situation.
Free on Android