IT Contractor Essentials
Practical guides, calculators, industry news and advice to help you set up and run a professional contracting business.
Read our step-by-step setup guide, with everything from navigating IR35 to submitting your first invoice.
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If you decide to set up a limited company with other people – either for contracting or another type of business – how do you ensure that all of your shareholders are protected in case something goes wrong? A well-drafted shareholders’ agreement might be the answer.
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Limited companies of all sizes can distribute their profits to shareholders as dividends. This article explains what dividends are, how they are taxed, and how to account for them properly. … [more]
Becoming a director of a limited company can be very rewarding, but it also entails a number of responsibilities. Who can become a director in the first place? … [more]
What is the optimum salary for a limited company director in the 2026/27 tax year? Read on to find out. … [more]
The dividend allowance means the first £500 of dividends you receive is tax-free. But how does this allowance work in practice in the 2026/27 tax year? … [more]
If you've spent personal funds setting up a business, what scope is there to reclaim these costs from your limited company after incorporation? … [more]
IR35 has emerged as the single biggest concern for contractors, more so than fears over tax rises, artificial intelligence and even ill health, according to new research. … [more]
Companies House is raising its filing and incorporation fees again, marking the second increase since 2016. The cost of forming a new company will rise from £50 to £100, while the confirmation statement fee increases from £34 to £50. Notably, some … [more]
When you form a company for the first time, you’ll have to provide Companies House with several addresses, the most important one being your registered office address. … [more]
As a company director, your accountant is likely to be your most important and trusted source of professional expertise while running your business. But what happens if things go wrong? … [more]
