The Complete Guide Self-Publishing On Amazon KDP for UK Authors 2026

A Complete Guide to Amazon KDP Taxes & HMRC for Self-Published Authors

Self-publishing on Amazon can be straightforward. What catches most UK authors out is everything around the upload: pricing across marketplaces, account setup, identity checks, the tax interview, HMRC Self Assessment, and the small compliance details that become painful later if you skip them.

KDP Self-Publishing for UK Authors 2026 is a practical, step-by-step guide to publishing Kindle eBooks and print editions properly — then building a catalogue that sells without relying on constant promotion. It’s written for beginners who want clear instructions, and for experienced authors who want to tighten their process, stay compliant, and fix the issues that quietly block sales.

Inside you’ll learn how to:

• Set up your KDP account correctly, including identity verification, banking, and payments

• Understand how KDP works in reality, including what “primary marketplace” does (and does not) control

• Publish eBooks, paperbacks, and hardbacks with fewer mistakes: formatting, covers, bleed/spines, proofs, and common rejection causes

• Price for the UK, US, and EU in a way that avoids “unavailable” listings, poor royalties, and mismatched printing costs

• Handle the KDP tax interview and choose the right option for UK authors

• Make sense of royalties and payment timing (including why first payments can feel delayed)

• Navigate tax the UK way: £1,000 trading allowance, hobby vs business, expenses, and a clear Self Assessment workflow

• Avoid the most common reporting mistake: accidentally entering KDP income twice and being taxed twice

• Troubleshoot the problems that derail new releases: books showing as unavailable on Amazon.com, missing “Look Inside,” pricing errors, distribution confusion, and account flags — with fix steps you can follow

If you want a realistic, UK-specific guide that helps you publish cleanly, stay compliant, and avoid expensive mistakes, this book will save you time, stress, and weeks of back-and-forth with Amazon and HMRC.