Skip to content
Contract Eye Contract Eye

News and resources for IT Contractors

  • Limited Company
    • Contracting via a limited company – advantages and disadvantages
    • How to set up a limited company as a contractor – comprehensive guide
    • Limited or umbrella company – which is best for contractors?
  • Umbrella Company
    • How to compare umbrella companies: 20 things to consider
    • Contractor umbrella company fees – how much do they charge?
    • How to find reliable umbrella company reviews
    • Umbrella Company Directory
    • Umbrella Company Calculator – calculate your net pay (2026/27)
  • IR35
    • IR35 and Off-Payroll explained – a simple beginner’s guide
    • IR35 timeline: when it was introduced and how it evolved
    • Download free IR35 contract templates and example clauses
    • Guide to IR35 contract review services for IT contractors
  • Accounting
    • Contractor accountants – what to look out for
    • Do you have to appoint an accountant for your limited company?
    • Your company annual accounts – the basics, and filing deadlines
    • Top 10 Contractor Accountants (2026)
  • Tax
    • What is the most tax-efficient director’s salary in 2025/26?
    • Corporation tax – guide for limited company contractors
    • Limited company tax basics for contractors
    • What are limited company dividends and how are they taxed?
  • Expenses
  • Insurance
    • Business insurance – what’s mandatory?
    • Professional Indemnity
    • Public liability insurance
    • Employers’ liability insurance
    • Life Insurance
    • Income Protection
    • Private Medical Cover
    • Critical Illness Cover
  • Work
  • Finances
    • Contractor Pensions
    • What is a SIPP?
    • Contractor Mortgages
    • Business Banking
sg accounting

Contractor Tax Guides

As a contractor, you must pay tax on the profits you generate from your contract work. I

If you are an umbrella worker, you are an ’employee’, and your umbrella company will calculate and deduct and tax from your income. You won’t have to submit any additional paperwork unless you have any untaxed income outside of your umbrella earnings.

As a limited company contractor, you are responsible for calculating the tax your business owes and paying any liabilities to HMRC on time.

Most limited contractors outsource these tasks to their accountants, however, you should be aware of how business tax works in practice.

Here are some of our most popular limited company tax guides.

  • Contractor expenses – what can a limited company claim against its Corporation Tax liability? And what costs are excluded?
  • National Insurance – what is it? – contractors are liable to pay Class 1 NICs on salaries. What are the current rates?
  • Guide to Corporation Tax – what it is, how to register, what are the deadlines, and how CT applies to limited companies.
  • Salary vs. dividends – what’s the optimum balance for limited company owners during the current tax year?
  • Value Added Tax (VAT) – what it is, how to register, and how it is collected? An overview of the various VAT options.
  • What are dividends? – most of your income as a company owner will be funded by dividends. What are they, and how are they taxed?
Capital Gains Tax it contractor

IT contractors and Capital Gains Tax (CGT)

1st May 2025
If you make money from the disposal of assets, you might have to pay Capital Gains Tax on the proceeds. What is CGT and what are the current CGT rates?
Read More
IT Contractor National Insurance

National Insurance (NIC) guide for IT contractors

2nd April 2025
Employers and employees must pay National Insurance Contributions (NICs) on all salaries. Here we look at how the rates are calculated in 2026/27.
Read More
training it contractor costs

Which training expenses can you claim via your company?

26th March 2025
Ongoing training is key to enhancing your existing skills, and sourcing new work, but which training costs can you claim via your company's tax bill?
Read More
P11D payroll form

Guide to benefits in kind and the P11D form for contractors

12th March 2025
If you are an employer, you need to file an annual P11D form for employees who received any benefits in kind from the company during the previous tax year.
Read More
Cost set up company accountant

Will your new accountant charge to form a limited company?

10th March 2025
Most accountants can set up a limited company on your behalf, either for free if you're appointing them as your accountant, or for a fixed fee.
Read More
Flat Rate VAT Scheme Contractors

Are contractors better off using the Flat Rate VAT scheme?

4th February 2025
Are limited company contractors generally better off registering for the Flat Rate VAT scheme, or the standard VAT scheme? Includes details of the Limited Cost Trader exclusion.
Read More
Contractor Employment Allowance

Can your limited company claim the Employment Allowance (EA)?

1st February 2025
Your company may be able to reclaim up to £10,500 of Employers' National Insurance Contributions from HMRC each year, thanks to the Employment Allowance.
Read More
Gift shares to wife company

Can I gift a share in my company to my wife? Are there any tax consequences?

1st February 2025
The issue of splitting limited company shares with a spouse or partner has been the subject of much confusion and debate over the past few years.
Read More
Contractor Tax Codes

HMRC tax codes – quick guide for limited and umbrella contractors

23rd January 2025
This guide explains what tax codes are used for, some typical ones, and what to do if you think your code is wrong.
Read More
husband wife pay salary company

Can I pay my husband/wife a salary from my limited company?

5th November 2024
If you work via a limited company, you may want to pay your spouse a salary. An accounting expert tells us what the tax and payroll implications are.
Read More

Posts pagination

Previous page 1 2 3 4 Next page
Search Our Site
Aardvark Accounting
Aardvark AccountingAardvark Accounting - £89/month

Full monthly service, incl. FreeAgent! Find out More
SG Accounting – Special Offer
SG AccountingFirst 3 months from £59.50/month!

Bespoke planning for tax efficiency.
Find out More

IR35 Insurance – Just £99/year + PI and business liability cover
ir35 insurance

The UK's leading contractor insurer.
Find out More

sg accounting


About Us | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

All content © Contract Eye Limited 2006-26 | All Rights Reserved
Scroll to Top