Making Tax Digital for Dog Walkers & Pet Sitters —
Rover, Direct Clients & Mileage
Include Rover, direct clients and word-of-mouth bookings combined, before mileage, insurance or supplies are deducted.
Between Rover bookings, direct clients found through word of mouth, and the constant driving between pick-ups, a busy dog walking or pet sitting round has a lot of moving parts. Here's how they all fit together for MTD, and the one insurance detail that's easy to get wrong.
- Rover reports your earnings to HMRC automatically — direct clients don't, so you must track those yourself
- Platform and direct-client income combine into one self-employment total
- Standard public liability insurance usually isn't enough — you need Care, Custody & Control cover
Rover Reports to HMRC — Direct Clients Don't
Since January 2024, platforms including Rover must report what they've paid their walkers and sitters to HMRC each year. Clients you find directly, through word of mouth or your own marketing, aren't reported by anyone but you, which makes your own digital records the only source of truth for that part of your income.
The Insurance Detail Most Walkers Miss
Standard public liability insurance protects against injury to people or damage to property, but it typically doesn't cover an animal in your care being injured, escaping, or falling ill. For that, you need Care, Custody & Control (CCC) cover, a specific extension aimed at pet professionals, and it's a fully allowable business expense.
Mileage & Other Expenses
| Expense | Typically allowable? | Note |
|---|---|---|
| Mileage between pick-ups and walks | Yes | 55p/mile first 10,000 miles, 25p after |
| CCC pet care insurance | Yes | Different from standard public liability |
| Leads, harnesses, poo bags | Yes | Equipment used for client animals |
| Rover platform commission | Yes | Deduct the fee, declare the gross amount |
| Your own dog's food and vet bills | No | Personal pet costs, even if it joins walks |
Best MTD Software for Dog Walkers & Pet Sitters
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Records for Walks, Boarding and Platforms
Dog walkers and pet sitters earn from regular walks, boarding, visits and sometimes platforms such as Rover. Each has different timing and fees.
- Record walks and visits by client, date and fee.
- Record boarding and holiday sitting deposits when received.
- Record platform bookings gross, with the platform fee as an expense.
- Keep insurance, DBS-style checks and first aid costs.
- Log mileage and keep equipment receipts.
Common MTD Mistakes for Dog Walkers and Pet Sitters
- Recording the net platform payout. Record the gross booking and the fee separately.
- Forgetting holiday boarding. It can be a large part of a quarter.
- Losing cash. Cash from clients counts exactly like transfers.
- Skipping insurance. It is allowable and often essential.
- Ignoring mileage. A log supports the claim.
A Sample Quarter: What the Update Looks Like
A sample quarter for a walker with regular clients and summer boarding.
| Q2: 6 July to 5 October 2026 | Amount |
|---|---|
| Regular walks and visits | £5,800 |
| Boarding and holiday sitting | £2,900 |
| Platform bookings (gross) | £1,200 |
| Total income | £9,900 |
| Insurance and checks | £320 |
| Mileage and fuel | £780 |
| Platform fees | £180 |
| Equipment and treats | £240 |
| Total expenses | £1,520 |
| Profit for the quarter | £8,380 |
Summer boarding can lift one quarter well above the others.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Rover report my earnings to HMRC?
Yes. Since January 2024, UK platforms including Rover must report your earnings to HMRC annually under OECD digital platform reporting rules. This applies alongside any direct clients you have outside the platform, which you still need to declare yourself.
Do I combine income from Rover and my direct clients?
Yes. Platform bookings and clients you find directly are normally the same self-employment dog walking or pet sitting business, so all the income is added together as one gross figure against the MTD threshold.
What insurance do I need, and can I claim it?
Standard public liability insurance usually isn't enough. Dog walkers and pet sitters typically need Care, Custody & Control (CCC) cover, which pays out if an animal in your care is injured or causes damage. This is normally a fully allowable business expense.
Can I claim mileage between walks and client visits?
Yes. Mileage between pick-ups, walking locations, and drop-offs is normally the single biggest allowable expense for dog walkers, claimed at 55p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles in a tax year, then 25p per mile after that.
Can I claim costs for my own dog if it comes on walks with me?
No. Your own pet's food, toys, and vet bills aren't a business expense, even if your dog regularly joins you on client walks. Only costs specifically incurred for client animals are allowable.