If you search the web for potential umbrella company providers, you’ll often find advertisements claiming to offer 90% or more take home pay after tax – using ‘compliant’ schemes. Here we examine why contractors should approach such schemes with caution.
Business Structures - Umbrella Companies
Virtually all IT contractors work via limited or umbrella companies. In this section, we explore how PAYE umbrella schemes work.
- Find out what a PAYE umbrella company does.
- How much do the leading umbrella companies charge?
- Which structure is best for you? Limited or Umbrella?
- Find a new umbrella scheme in our umbrella directory.
Limited company or PAYE umbrella – comparison table for contractors
Almost all contractors who provide professional services to clients trade via their own limited companies, or join PAYE umbrella schemes. Here we’ve compiled a table to help compare the pros and cons of each structure.
Compare umbrella company fees – what you need to know
The only legitimate way PAYE schemes can compete with each other cost-wise is in the fees they charge their contractor clients. Here, we compare some of the leading umbrella companies, and explain why you should look out for hidden charges.
Umbrella company reviews – can they be trusted?
If you’re looking for a new umbrella company, chances are you will conduct some online research as part of the vetting process. Here we consider why you should treat online ‘reviews’ with a degree of skepticism.
Umbrella companies – ‘gross contract rate’, ‘umbrella rate’, ‘inside IR35 rate’ – what’s the difference?
One of the biggest sources of confusion for new umbrella company users lies in the way contractor pay rates are quoted. Does your rate include ’employment costs’, and if so, what does this mean? And are some unscrupulous providers misleading over the so-called ‘inside IR35 rate’?
What are umbrella companies, and how do they work?
Our complete guide to choosing an umbrella company; how a typical PAYE scheme works in practice, and key questions to ask prospective providers.
Umbrella companies and the off-payroll working (IR35) rules
With the private sector off-payroll rules due to hit the contracting sector in April 2021, an industry expert explains what PAYE umbrella companies can offer contractors caught by the changes, and why you should watch out for unscrupulous operators.
Limited or Umbrella Company – which is best?
Which type of business structure should you use? A basic overview of how limited and umbrella companies work, and some of the pros and cons of using each structure.
Umbrella company contractors – what is the Apprenticeship Levy?
If you’re working through an umbrella company, you may have noticed deductions on your payslip for the Apprenticeship Levy. Here we explain what this charge is, and how it is calculated.
Why am I paying Employers’ National Insurance as an umbrella contractor?
The number one question many umbrella companies are asked by their employees is: “why am I paying employers’ national insurance contributions?” – here we provide the answer and explain what other costs are payable by umbrella contractors.
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