UK Umbrella Company Explained: How It Works
A UK umbrella company employs contractors as PAYE staff and handles all tax, NI, holiday pay and employer NI deductions. The contractor receives net pay similar to a permanent employee. This guide covers how umbrellas work, the margins, and choosing one.
UK Self-Employed Statutory Rights: What You Lose
UK self-employed do not get employee rights: no Statutory Sick Pay, no Statutory Maternity Pay (Maternity Allowance is the alternative), no paid holiday, no pension auto-enrolment, no unfair dismissal protection. This guide lists what is lost and the alternatives.
UK Self-Assessment Payments on Account Explained
UK Self-Assessment payments on account are pre-payments of next year's tax, 50% each on 31 January and 31 July, applying where prior bill exceeded GBP 1,000 and less than 80% was collected at source. This guide covers calculation, reduction, and managing cash flow.
UK Self-Employed: The Complete Tax and Money Guide
UK self-employed sole traders register with HMRC by 5 October following the tax year of starting, file Self-Assessment, pay Class 4 NI at 6%/2%, and follow CIS or VAT rules where applicable. MTD ITSA from April 2026 changes the filing rhythm. This guide covers each step.
UK Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) Explained
UK Construction Industry Scheme deducts tax from payments to subcontractors: 20% for verified, 30% for unverified, 0% for gross-payment status. Deductions offset against year-end tax. This guide covers registration, verification, and the gross payment route.
UK Freelancer Getting Paid from Abroad: Tax Treatment
UK freelancers paid from abroad are taxable on the worldwide income on the arising basis since April 2025. Foreign tax credits apply under double tax agreements. This guide covers tax treatment, payment routes (Wise, PayPal, bank), and VAT on B2B services.
UK Contractor Take-Home: How to Calculate
UK contractor take-home depends on day rate, working days, IR35 status, structure, and pension/expense decisions. This guide walks through the calculation for PSC outside IR35 and umbrella inside IR35, with worked examples at three rates.