Contractor Tools & Guides
Practical, contractor-built guides and calculators for UK contractors navigating the 2026/27 tax year. Everything we publish is verified against HMRC sources with full methodology shown.
Inside vs Outside IR35 Explained for 2026/27
Every UK contractor needs to understand IR35. Here is what it actually means for your take-home in 2026/27, why the gap is smaller than it has been in years, and what to do about it.
Read → GuideHow to Negotiate an Inside IR35 Day Rate Uplift in 2026/27
The 20-30% rule of thumb is out of date. The real uplift you need by day rate, what to say in the conversation, and the levers most contractors forget.
Read → GuidePension Salary Sacrifice Inside IR35 in 2026/27
The most tax-efficient lever an inside IR35 contractor has. Real maths at typical day rates, plus the umbrella setup that gets you the full employer NI saving.
Read → ExplainerHow Dividend Tax Actually Works for UK Contractors in 2026/27
Dividend tax went up 2pp in April 2026. The rates, the £500 allowance, the corp tax interaction, and why the £12,570 salary split still wins.
Read → GuideBest Umbrella Companies for UK Contractors in 2026/27
FCSA-accredited UK umbrellas compared. What actually matters when choosing one, the pension salary sacrifice question that changes take-home, and the red flags to walk away from.
Read → GuideIR35 Contract Reviews 2026/27: When You Need One, What They Cost
A neutral comparison of the major UK IR35 review providers (Qdos, Larsen Howie, IR35 Shield, Bauer & Cottrell, Markel Tax). What's actually included, what to look for, and what a review does and doesn't defend you from.
Read → GuideWorking From Home for UK Contractors 2026/27: Tax Claims, Setup & Productivity
The real WFH playbook for UK contractors. What you can actually claim under PSC, inside IR35 and umbrella, plus the home office and productivity choices that move the needle on a day rate.
Read → GuideSalary vs Dividends Split for UK Contractors in 2026/27
The tax-optimal salary and dividend split for outside IR35 PSC contractors. Why £12,570 still wins for most, when £9,100 beats it, and the worked maths at typical day rates.
Read → GuideHow to Challenge an Inside IR35 SDS in 2026/27
The full client-led status disagreement process. The 45-day clock, evidence that actually moves the needle, the appeal letter template, and the honest read on when challenging is worth it.
Read → GuideSetting Up a Limited Company for Contracting in 2026/27
The full setup guide for UK contractors going limited. Companies House, business banking, accountancy, PAYE, VAT, insurance — and the order to actually do it in.
Read → GuideIR35 for Overseas Clients: The 2026/27 UK Contractor Guide
How IR35 works when your end-client is outside the UK. The wholly-overseas exemption, the UK permanent establishment test, VAT on overseas services, and what stays your responsibility as the PSC contractor.
Read → GuideClosing a Contractor Limited Company in 2026/27: Strike Off vs MVL
How UK contractors close a PSC in 2026/27. Voluntary strike-off, Members' Voluntary Liquidation (MVL), Business Asset Disposal Relief, and how to extract retained profits tax-efficiently.
Read → GuideContractor Mortgages in 2026/27: The UK Guide to Day-Rate Lending
How UK contractor mortgages actually work in 2026/27. Day-rate underwriting, which lenders support it, deposit levels, the documentation you'll need, and when a specialist broker earns their fee.
Read → GuideEmployer Pension Contributions for Outside IR35 Contractors 2026/27
The most tax-efficient extraction lever for outside IR35 PSC contractors. The £60k allowance, carry forward from prior years, the tapered allowance for high earners, and how it beats dividends on the margin.
Read → GuideWhat Changed in 2026/27 for UK Contractors
The Autumn 2025 Budget raised dividend tax by 2 percentage points. Here is exactly what that means for your take-home, why it narrowed the inside vs outside gap, and what else changed.
Read → GuidePSC vs Umbrella: A Decision Framework
When does a Personal Service Company beat an umbrella? When should you switch? A practical framework for choosing between the two based on your day rate, contract mix, and tolerance for admin.
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