The planned April 2022 National Insurance 1.25% hike will be painful for almost everyone in employment. But, not for the first time, umbrella company workers are in line for more pain than most.
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.
- Why you should be cautious when reading umbrella company reviews.
- How much do the leading umbrella companies charge?
- Which structure is best for you? Limited or Umbrella?
5 essential tips to help you find the best umbrella
- Don't focus purely on the weekly cost. Good customer service and communication skills are just as important. Ask other contractors for recommendations if you're looking for a new provider.
- Only sign-up to a UK-based PAYE umbrella. Never use offshore payment tax avoidance schemes.
- The only difference between take home pay quotes between umbrella companies should be the margin (fee) they charge.
- If you're caught by the Off-Payroll (IR35) rules, consider a flexible umbrella/limited model of working, so you can switch between the two with ease. Most leading accountants/umbrellas offer this service.
- Find a trusted umbrella in our umbrella directory.
Umbrella company fees – the lowdown on costs
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.
How to spot a dodgy umbrella company – guide for contractors
As a result of the April 2021 Off Payroll changes, more individuals than ever are using umbrella companies. In an unregulated industry, the consequences of choosing an unscrupulous provider can be severe.
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 holiday pay – how is it calculated?
If you decide to contract via an umbrella company, you will be entitled to receive holiday pay (as an employee of the company). Here we look at what holiday pay is, and how it is calculated.
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.
Umbrella companies – the truth behind fake take-home pay claims
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.
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.
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’?
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