Freelancers & Contractors

27 Guides in this section
3 Topic areas
2025/26 Tax year covered
Tax year 2025/26

All figures and rules in these guides apply to the 2025/26 tax year unless stated otherwise. We review every page after each Budget and Spring Statement. Always verify current thresholds with HMRC or a qualified accountant before making decisions.

Section 8.1

Registration, tax, expenses, and the basics of running your own business in the UK.

How to register as a sole trader UK Step-by-step walkthrough of registering for Self Assessment with HMRC, including deadlines and what to expect. Essential Sole trader tax: everything you need to know Income Tax, National Insurance, payment on account, and the Self Assessment filing process explained. Essential What expenses can a sole trader claim? The full list of allowable expenses for sole traders, including home office, travel, equipment, and professional fees. Popular How to keep books as a sole trader Simple bookkeeping systems for the self-employed, including what records HMRC requires you to keep. Practical Sole trader vs limited company When does incorporating make financial sense? A clear comparison of tax, liability, and admin burden. Decision guide National Insurance for the self-employed Class 2 and Class 4 NI explained, including rates, thresholds, and how to pay for 2025/26. Essential How to pay tax as a freelancer: first year walkthrough A plain-English guide to your first Self Assessment return, including what to expect from payment on account. Essential How to manage feast and famine cash flow Practical strategies for smoothing irregular income, including tax savings pots, emergency funds, and invoicing habits. Business skills
Section 8.2

Everything contractors need to understand the off-payroll working rules and protect their business.

Start here
IR35 explained: what every contractor must know
A complete overview of the off-payroll working rules, who they apply to, how status is determined, and what the financial stakes are.
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IR35 status determination: inside or outside? The key tests HMRC uses to determine IR35 status, including mutuality of obligation, substitution, and control. Status IR35 for public sector contractors How the rules work differently for public sector engagements and what contractors need to know. Public sector IR35 for private sector contractors The 2021 private sector reform and what it means for contractors, agencies, and end clients. Private sector How to prepare for an IR35 investigation What triggers HMRC investigations, what evidence to gather, and how to work with a specialist adviser. Risk Contract review for IR35: what to look for The clauses and language in a contract that affect your IR35 status, and how to negotiate improvements. Contracts Umbrella company vs limited company for contractors A side-by-side comparison of tax, take-home pay, admin burden, and flexibility for UK contractors. Structure Best umbrella companies UK 2026 Independent comparison of the top FCSA-accredited umbrella companies, including fees, service, and compliance record. Reviews IR35 business entity tests: are they still relevant? The history of the BETs, why HMRC withdrew them, and what contractors should use instead. Technical The SDC test (supervision, direction, control) explained What the SDC test is, how HMRC applies it, and practical steps to demonstrate genuine control over your work. Technical
Section 8.3

From rental income tax to capital gains, incorporation decisions, and specialist property rules.

Tax on rental income UK: complete landlord guide How rental income is taxed, what allowances you can claim, and how to file correctly with HMRC for 2025/26. Essential Landlord allowable expenses: the full list 2026 Every expense a private landlord can legitimately offset against rental income, with HMRC references. Popular How to declare rental income to HMRC Step-by-step guide to the UK Property pages on your Self Assessment return, including common mistakes. Process Section 24: mortgage interest relief changes How Section 24 affects higher-rate taxpaying landlords and strategies to mitigate the impact. Important Should landlords incorporate? Ltd company vs personal ownership A detailed analysis of when moving to a limited company makes financial sense for property investors. Decision guide Capital Gains Tax for landlords UK CGT rates, the 60-day reporting rule, allowable deductions, and how to reduce your bill on disposal. Tax Furnished Holiday Let tax rules 2025/26 The FHL regime was abolished from April 2025. What this means for short-term let owners going forward. Updated 2025 HMO tax implications UK Income tax, Capital Allowances, VAT, and SDLT considerations specific to Houses in Multiple Occupation. Specialist SDLT surcharge for additional properties The 5% surcharge explained, with rates tables, a worked example, and the main residence replacement rules. Stamp duty