news

Umbrella Company vs Limited Company vs Agency PAYE: Which Is Best in 2025? Choosing how to get paid as a UK contractor can have a major impact on your take-home pay, taxes, and benefits. In 2025, the three main options are Umbrella Companies, Limited Companies, and Agency PAYE. Understanding how […]

How Do Umbrella Company Payslips Work? A Simple Guide to Understanding Your Deductions If you’re new to contracting or freelancing in the UK, you may have already come across the term umbrella company. Many contractors choose to work through umbrella companies because they take care of tax, National Insurance, and

Top 10 Umbrella Company Questions Answered – For 2025/26 If you’re a contractor or freelancer working in the UK, choosing how to get paid is a crucial decision. Umbrella companies remain a popular option in the 2025/26 tax year — but they also come with a fair share of questions.

Barrister Named in HMRC Tax Avoidance Crackdown — A First for the Profession In a landmark move, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has publicly named a practising barrister as a promoter of tax avoidance schemes, the first time a member of the legal profession has been added to the government’s

Status Determination Statement (SDS): A Contractor’s Guide What is a Status Determination Statement? A Status Determination Statement (SDS) is a formal document issued by the end client that determines whether your contract is inside or outside IR35. It also explains the reasons for the decision. For contractors working through umbrella

HMRC August 2025 Update: Four More Companies Named for Suspected Tax Avoidance HMRC has once again expanded its list of named tax avoidance schemes, adding four more companies in the August 2025 update. These businesses are suspected of running non-compliant umbrella arrangements that put contractors, recruitment agencies, and end clients

Understanding Your Umbrella Contract: A Complete Guide for Contractors Understanding Your Umbrella Contract When working through an umbrella company, your umbrella contract is one of the most important documents you’ll encounter. It sets out your relationship with the umbrella company, clarifies your employment status, and outlines your rights and responsibilities.

How Umbrella Companies Handle Tax and Compliance Working as a contractor through an umbrella company comes with significant advantages, especially when it comes to handling tax and ensuring compliance with UK employment and tax laws. Many contractors choose umbrella companies for the simplicity and security they provide, leaving the complexities

iConsult Umbrella Enters Liquidation: What Contractors Need to Know On 21 August 2025, iConsult Umbrella (iConsult Payment Solutions Limited) officially entered liquidation. The company’s website now carries a notice confirming it is no longer trading, leaving many contractors and agencies uncertain about unpaid wages, employment continuity, and compliance matters. A

Learn About IR35 and Umbrella Companies: A Guide for Contractors Introduction What is IR35? IR35, or the off‑payroll working rules, is UK tax legislation designed to distinguish between genuine self‑employment and working like an employee through a limited company. If your contract is “inside IR35,” you’re considered an employee for

Why notice periods matter to contractors When taking on a contract through an agency or directly with a client, you’ll normally check the rate, hours, and project details first. But there’s another important point that can be overlooked — the notice period. Your notice period sets out how much time

Making Tax Digital Self Assessment: What’s Changing from April 2026 The way millions of people file their Self-Assessment tax returns is about to change. From 6 April 2026, HMRC’s Making Tax Digital for Income Tax Self Assessment (MTD ITSA) rules will begin to take effect, starting with those who earn

How New Legislation Will Benefit FCSA Umbrella Companies Reform is Coming — and It Could Be a Positive Shift New legislation to regulate the umbrella company sector is fast approaching. While many providers will see this as a disruptive challenge, the outlook is far brighter for FCSA umbrella companies. Years

National Minimum Wage April 2026: Forecasted Rise and What It Could Mean for Contractors Background to the Forecast The Low Pay Commission (LPC) has been asked by the UK Government to recommend the rates for the National Minimum Wage (NMW) and National Living Wage (NLW) from April 2026.A central aim

What Is the FCSA and Why Does It Matter? Understanding the FCSA If you’re a contractor or an agency involved with umbrella companies, the question “What is the FCSA?” is more important than ever. The FCSA, or Freelancer & Contractor Services Association, is the UK’s leading independent trade body for

HMRC July 2025 Update: Five More Umbrella Companies Named for Suspected Tax Avoidance HMRC has added another five businesses to its list of named tax avoidance schemes, promoters, enablers and suppliers, bringing the total named in 2025 to over 25. The July 2025 update, published on 31 July, includes several