Recruitment Agency Fees: A UK Contractor Guide
You've probably seen the same thing happen again and again. A recruiter sends over a promising role, the day rate looks fine at first glance, and then the small print starts to move the goalposts. One agency quotes a neat percentage, another talks about an umbrella rate, and by the time you've stripped out margin, […]
Contractor Day Rate Calculator: A UK Guide for 2026
You're probably in one of two positions right now. You've been asked for a rate on a new contract and don't want to price yourself out, or you've looked at your current day rate and realised it might be carrying far too much financial risk for too little reward. That's where most contractors reach for […]
What Is CIS Deduction: 2026 Rates & Reclaiming Guide
You've done the work, issued the invoice, and the payment lands short. That usually triggers the same question: what is CIS deduction, and why is someone holding back part of your money? If you're running a new limited company contractor business, you can't afford to treat CIS as just admin. It affects cash flow, payroll, […]
IR35 Mutuality of Obligation Explained for 2026
You finish a project. The client is happy. Then comes the familiar message: “Can you just stay on for a bit and pick up whatever comes in?” That's where many limited company contractors drift into trouble. On the surface, it looks harmless. No big renegotiation. No formal new statement of work. Just more work, same […]
Best Accounting Software for Contractors 2026
You're usually not looking for accounting software because bookkeeping suddenly became interesting. You're looking because the current setup is starting to fail under real contractor pressure. That often happens in one of two situations. Either you're still running a limited company on software that works well enough for invoices and bank feeds, but doesn't tell […]
CIS Tax Return Calculator: Your 2026 UK Guide
You finish a job, send the invoice, and the payment lands lighter than expected. The statement shows the gross amount, then a line for CIS deductions, and what reaches your bank account feels out of proportion to the work you've done. That's the point where many subcontractors start using a CIS tax return calculator, often […]
CIS Tax Rebate Calculator: Estimate Your 2026 Refund
You finish the tax year, look back through your CIS statements, and realise a chunk of every payment never reached your bank account. If you're a subcontractor, that feeling is familiar. Money has been deducted at source, usually at 20% if you're registered or 30% if you're not, and the obvious question is whether that […]
Outside IR35: A Contractor’s Guide for 2026
You've found a contract that looks promising. The rate works. The client sounds sensible. The recruiter says it's outside IR35. But once the excitement wears off, the question lands: if HMRC ever looks at this arrangement, could you defend that position with evidence? That's the part many contractors underestimate. Outside IR35 isn't just about better […]
What is an IR35? A Contractor’s Guide for 2026
You open a contract, scan the rate, notice the term IR35, and feel the mood change. The work looks good. The client sounds serious. But one label can alter what lands in your company bank account and how much tax risk sits in the background. That's why contractors keep asking what is an ir35. Not […]
IR35 Explained: A Contractor’s Guide for 2026
You open a new contract, skim the rate, check the start date, then spot the line that changes everything: subject to IR35 determination. That's usually the moment contractors stop reading like a salesperson and start reading like a tax detective. The work may be the same. Your day rate may even look fine. But if […]