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.
Read the 10-Step Guide →
Setting up as self-employed (i.e., becoming a sole trader) is the most hassle-free way to get started in business. However, contractors will quickly discover that it is extremely difficult to secure contract work through recruitment agencies unless … [more]
The off-payroll working rules have applied in the private sector since April 2021. In most cases, clients are responsible for determining a contractor's IR35 status. The decision must be documented in a Status Determination Statement (SDS), along … [more]
If you work through an umbrella company, your income is normally taxed at source. So, do you still need to complete a Self Assessment tax return? … [more]
Private medical insurance (PMI) covers the cost of private medical care if you become ill. For limited company directors, premiums can be paid either personally or through the company. Each option has different tax consequences. … [more]
One of the most common sources of confusion for limited company directors is the distinction between capital and revenue expenses. The distinction matters because it affects how and when tax relief is given. … [more]
One of the biggest sources of confusion when it comes to limited company expense claims relates to costs with both business and personal use (i.e, dual purpose costs). … [more]
In this guide, we explore how umbrella company pensions work, what tax relief is available, and what to look out for when joining a workplace pension scheme. … [more]
As an umbrella employee, you will see an entry for your provider's 'margin' on your payslips. Here, we explain what an umbrella company's margin is and how much it typically costs. … [more]
The Employment Allowance reduces the National Insurance employers' pay by up to £10,500 per year. So, can your limited company benefit from this incentive in 2026/27? … [more]
Although the off payroll reforms shifted the responsibility to clients for most cases, contractors should still actively check that their work is genuinely outside IR35 and remains compliant. … [more]
