In-depth IR35 guides for UK contractors, from status tests to mortgages and the April 2026 changes. For numbers first, use the free UK IR35 calculator on the homepage (no signup), then dig into the articles below.
6 April 2026 has passed. The small company threshold changed, umbrella PAYE rules are live, and tax bands are frozen. Here’s what UK contractors need to check right now.
Read article →IR35 explained from scratch — what it means, how your status is determined, what inside vs outside IR35 actually costs you, and what’s changing in April 2026. The complete contractor guide.
Read article →From 6 April 2026, recruitment agencies take on PAYE responsibility for umbrella workers. What changes, who’s affected, and whether you should switch to a limited company.
Read article →From 6 April 2026, around 14,000 companies reclassify as “small” and hand IR35 responsibility back to contractors. What it means, who’s affected, and what to do now.
Read article →What’s the actual take-home pay difference between inside and outside IR35? Real numbers at every day rate, with the April 2025 employer NI changes factored in.
Read article →CEST usage dropped 73% since 2021. One in five results is “undetermined”. The tool ignores Mutuality of Obligation. Here’s what’s wrong and what to use instead.
Read article →Your IR35 status comes down to three tests — Supervision, Direction & Control; Right of Substitution; and Mutuality of Obligation. Here’s what each means and how HMRC weighs them, including the 2024 PGMOL ruling that changed MOO.
Read article →A practical checklist covering every key IR35 clause — substitution, control, MOO, financial risk, exclusivity — plus the working practices evidence HMRC will actually look at. Know your position before you sign.
Read article →The difference can be £10,000–£20,000 per year — but it depends almost entirely on your IR35 status. Real take-home figures at £300–£700/day, the April 2026 umbrella PAYE changes, and which structure is right for your situation.
Read article →What triggers an HMRC IR35 compliance check, how the process unfolds stage by stage, how far back HMRC can go (up to 6 years), and the practical steps to protect yourself before an investigation starts.
Read article →How much does IR35 insurance cost? Qdos from £99/year, Kingsbridge IR35 Protect from around £199. What’s covered, whether you need it inside or outside IR35, and what drives the price up.
Read article →Free IR35 SDS template — inside and outside IR35 versions. Covers mandatory elements, the 45-day challenge process, and what changes for small companies from 6 April 2026.
Read article →All four IR35-related changes from 6 April 2026 in one place — small company threshold increase, umbrella PAYE rules, employer NI rise, and what stays exactly the same.
Read article →Your contract says outside IR35 — but what happens when HMRC asks for proof? Working practices logs, substitution records, and everything else you should be keeping.
Read article →Moving inside IR35? You need a 22-23% rate uplift to keep the same take-home. Exact figures at £300-£800/day, what agencies actually offer, and how to negotiate.
Read article →Inside IR35 cuts your provable income by ~20%. How lenders assess contractors, which brokers specialise in IR35, and how to maximise your borrowing.
Read article →Inside IR35? Salary sacrifice pension contributions reduce your PAYE bill and employer NI. How much you save at every day rate — 2026/27 figures.
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