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  • 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?
    • Choose a limited company name — and what to do If you change your mind
  • Umbrella Company
    • How to compare umbrella companies: 20 things to consider
    • Contractor umbrella company fees – how much do they charge?
    • How can you find umbrella company reviews?
    • Umbrella Company Directory
    • Umbrella Company Calculator – calculate your net pay (2025/26)
  • IR35
    • IR35 and Off-Payroll explained – a simple beginner’s guide
    • When was IR35 introduced? Timeline from 1999 to 2023
    • 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 (2025)
  • 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
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    • What is a SIPP?
    • Contractor Mortgages
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Umbrella Company Guides

Many contractors – out of choice or necessity – work via PAYE umbrella companies.

This is a low-stress way of getting started as a contractor, although less tax-efficient than working via a limited company.

There are hundreds of umbrella companies out there.

It is crucial that you only sign up to an established UK-based PAYE umbrella, as there are some unscrupulous providers out there.

Use our concise guides to learn how this business structure works in practice, what to look out for, and how to find the best umbrella provider to fit your needs.

  • How much do umbrella companies cost? – the ‘margin’ or ‘fee’ charged by providers varies considerably.
  • Compare umbrella companies – how to compare umbrella providers – 20 things to look out for so that you can accurately compare umbrella firms.
  • Expenses you can claim via an umbrella company – HMRC has clamped down on the scope of reclaimable expenses, so what can you still claim for?
  • Umbrella company reviews – how to find genuine feedback on the bewildering choice of umbrella companies.
  • IR35 and umbrella working – does this infamous legislation affect umbrella contractors, or just limited workers?
  • Umbrella advantages and disadvantages – the pros and cons of working via a PAYE umbrella company.
  • Limited or Umbrella Company? – which is the best route for you?
  • Is your umbrella company payslip correct? – use online tools to make sure your deductions are correct.

Umbrella Company Directory

umbrella apprenticeship levy

Umbrella company payslips – what is the Apprenticeship Levy?

18th January 2025
If you are an umbrella company employee, you may notice deductions for the Apprenticeship Levy on your payslips. What does this deduction mean?
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how many umbrella company employees

How many umbrella company workers are there in the UK?

17th January 2025
The number of umbrella company workers in the UK has increased substantially over the past 15 years. We reveal the estimated totals from 2008 to 2023.
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PAYE Umbrella Company

How does a PAYE umbrella company work?

16th January 2025
How does a PAYE umbrella company work in practice? We look at the steps from signing up, to submitting timesheets and getting paid.
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Umbrella Company Expenses

Umbrella company expenses and the SDC rules – a concise guide

15th January 2025
One of the first things umbrella contractors ask is - what can they claim for on expenses? The truth and 'mistruths' about reclaiming contractor expenses.
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compare umbrella companies

How to compare umbrella companies: 20 things to consider

5th January 2025
If you decide to work via an umbrella company, how do you find a reputable and efficient provider? Read these 20 tips to help compare umbrella companies.
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check umbrella payslip

Online tools to check your umbrella company payslip is correct

6th December 2024
How can you check that your umbrella company payslip and net take home pay figures are correct, comply with UK tax laws, and don't include any unexpected deductions?
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umbrella company payslip

What do the deductions on my umbrella company payslip mean?

23rd October 2024
When you become an umbrella company employee, you should receive a payslip every time your pay is processed. This guide explains what each entry on a payslip means and why they are there.
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employers nic umbrella

Why do umbrella company contractors have to pay Employer’s NI costs?

3rd October 2024
One of the most frequently asked questions by umbrella employees is why they are responsible for paying Employers National Insurance Contributions (NICs).
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umbrella company fees costs margin

Contractor umbrella company fees – how much do they charge?

15th September 2024
We look at typical fees charged by umbrella company providers, and why you should consider additional factors before signing up.
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umbrella company tax return

Do you need to file a self assessment tax return if you use an umbrella company?

26th August 2024
If you are an umbrella company employee, you might need to file a self assessment tax return - if you receive income which isn't taxed via PAYE.
Read More

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