An established umbrella
payroll company with you
at the heart of our business
We make your work and pay our priority so you can
focus on what matters to you.
Work smarter with
SmartWork
We are 100% compliant, reliable, honest, transparent,
and deliver best-in-class service.
Instant set-up and
support of a designated
business manager
We help you maximise your take home pay and ensure
you get paid correctly, on time, every time.
Maximise your take home pay
We guarantee same-day payments and maximum savings.
Earning
£
EVERY
PAID
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YOUR ESTIMATED INCOME
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The calculations are for illustration purposes only and are based on a series of assumptions.
Maximise your take home pay
We guarantee same-day payments and maximum savings.
Click here to use our Online Calculator
YOUR ESTIMATED INCOME
We guarantee same-day payments and maximum savings.
£
per week
£
per month
The calculations are for illustration purposes only and are based on a series of assumptions.
The easiest choice for contractors
We help you with everything you need to focus on building your career and honing your skills.
The easiest choice for contractors
We help you with everything you need to focus on building your career and honing your skills.
New Contractors
Why Choose Us?
We offer a comprehensive range of contractor benefits, a designated business manager, and one of the highest-rated, fully compliant umbrella services in the UK. Whether you are a contractor or a recruiter, we are here to support you.
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Innovative, Customer-Centric Approach
SEE ALL BENEFITS
Dedicated Business Managers
Your designated business manager is always there to guide you through your freelancing career.
Same-day Payments
Receive your pay the same day we receive it from your agency at no additional cost.
Secure Smart Portal
View payslips, submit timesheets, viewing your contracts, holidays, etc is easy to do with our smart portal.
100% Compliant & Accredited
As FCSA Accredited Members and APSCo Trusted Partners, we meet the highest industry standards.
Helpline to Support Your Career
Your designated business manager or our helpline is available five days a week to provide answers to your questions.
Instant Set-up
We can have you setup in as low as 15 minutes over the phone or online.
Cost-effective Service
At just £20 per week, with no setup or exit fees and zero hidden charges, we are one of the most cost-effective umbrella companies in the UK.
Insurance Cover Included
We cover your insurance needs by providing Public, Employer's and Products Liability, plus Professional Indemnity, and Medical Malpractice.
Contractor Specialist Mortgages
Our affiliate partners, Freelance Financials, have extensive experience in providing mortgages for umbrella employees.
Voluntary SIPP Contributions
Take control of your pension pot with voluntary contributions, arranged by our business partner Interactive Investor's Self-Invested Private Pension.
Referral Scheme
Our contractors receive £100 vouchers every time they successfully refer a friend to us,
Call SmartWork today on 0800 434 6446
Blog
Everything you need to navigate the world of contracting
A Quick Guide to Pension Contributions for Umbrella Workers
When you're focused on your career, especially in your younger years, retirement can feel like a distant concern. Yet, many people...
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Contractor’s Guide to the New Umbrella Company Rules: What April 2026 Means for You
The contracting landscape is about to change significantly. With HMRC's proposed Joint & Several Liability (JSL) legislation set...
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Why Keeping PAYE with Compliant Umbrella Companies Protects Contractors and Agencies Alike
A recent proposal announced in the 2025 Spring Statement has sparked debate by highlighting a potential shift in how contractors are...
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Navigating the National Insurance Increase in 2025: Strategies for Umbrella Contractors
In April 2025, the Employer's National Insurance Contributions (NICs) increased from 13.8% to 15%. Together with the reduction in the...
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Understanding Tax Codes for Umbrella Employees
What are tax codes, and why are they important?
In this guide, we will go through everything you need to know about those...
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Umbrella Guide: Pension Contributions Explained
When you are in employment, especially when you are younger, retirement is a faraway concept we tend not to think about. Many,...
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How much tax do I pay as an umbrella worker?
If you are reading this article, there is a good chance you are one of the 2.6 million-strong full-time freelance workforce in the UK....
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How the 2025 Spring Statement Affects Umbrella Workers
Chancellor Reeves' 2025 Spring Statement brings significant implications for umbrella company workers across the UK. While no new...
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Upcoming Umbrella Regulation Changes: What Agencies Need to Know
In October 2024, the government released a policy paper concluding the consultation on "addressing non-compliance in the umbrella...
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Maximise Tax Savings with SIPP Contributions: A Guide for High-Earning Umbrella Contractors
Coming up to the end of the tax year, this is the time many start thinking about their tax bill and steps they can take to reduce the...
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The 2024 Autumn Budget: Key Takeaways and Implications for Umbrella Workers
On the 30th of October 2024, Chancellor Rachel Reeves presented the Autumn Budget, her first as the UK’s first female Chancellor of...
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What the New Employment Rights Bill Means for You as an Umbrella Employee
The Employment Rights Bill, introduced in Parliament on October 10, 2024, represents a significant step forward in the UK...
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SmartWork Partners with Interactive Investor to Bring Pension Benefits for Contractors Through SIPPs
We believe in helping our workers plan for the future, so we did some research into private pensions and their popularity in the UK....
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Navigating the Zero-Hours Contract Ban: A Guide for Recruitment Agencies
With a new government eager to portray itself as, in the words of Chancellor Reeves, “the most pro-growth, pro-business Treasury in...
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Why Continuity of Employment Matters for Umbrella Contractors
As a contractor working through an umbrella company, the concept of continuity of employment is more than just a technical...
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Top Ten Umbrella Company Misconceptions Explained
If you are considering the option of becoming a contractor, one of the possible routes is working via an umbrella company. How and why...
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Understanding Holiday Pay for Umbrella Employees: What You Need to Know
They say working for an umbrella company is the same as any other employment. Well, yes and no, it is the same in some aspects, but it...
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Unlock Your Mortgage Potential as an Umbrella Company Contractor
As a highly skilled contractor operating through an umbrella company, you've adapted to the pressures of IR35; you’ve taken control...
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Spring Budget 2024 – Key facts and summary
Chancellor Jeremy Hunt disclosed the details of this year's Budget during his address in the House of Commons. This Budget is...
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Understanding IR35: A Comprehensive Guide for Contractors
In this comprehensive guide, we aim to demystify IR35, a set of regulations that holds significance for contractors and those...
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Recruitment Agencies, Is it Time to Review Your PSL?
Why review your PSL?
Companies are criminally liable if they fail to prevent tax evasion by a staff member or other...
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Umbrella Employment Guide – Insurance Explained
One of the benefits of contracting via an Umbrella company is freedom from admin, and that includes arranging insurance coverage....
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Unlocking the Benefits: Why Contractors Should Choose an Umbrella Company
In the dynamic world of contracting in the UK, making the right choices can significantly impact your career. One pivotal decision...
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Umbrella or Agency PAYE – What are the differences?
Employment Options
As a contractor, you may find that your assignment falls inside IR35. So, what options do you have?
You...
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The First-Timer’s Guide to Using an Umbrella Company
Understanding the Umbrella Company Concept
Contracting through an umbrella company can be a smart move for independent professionals....
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Do I Need to Submit a Self-Assessment Tax Return if I Use an Umbrella Company?
What is Self-Assessment?
Self-assessment is a system HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) uses to collect Income Tax. Tax is usually...
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Reasons Your Net Pay Might Differ from a Take-home Pay Illustration
It is important to remember that net pay illustrations are often based on assumed information. We do our best to be as accurate as...
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The SmartWork Service
Introduction
When joining SmartWork, we become your employer, with the overall aim of keeping life as simple as possible for you and...
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What is SDC (supervision, direction, control)?
As of 6th April 2016, HMRC introduced new legislation that affects tax relief on expenses for umbrella employees. The primary...
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What is FCSA and why our accreditation is important
As a freelance contractor, you have, at some point, looked at choosing the right umbrella company to work with. But with so many...
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The Mini Umbrella Company Scam – Choosing a Compliant Business for your Supply Chain
In the past few years, particularly since 2017, thanks to changes in the legislative environment, and of course, the pandemic, we've...
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Contractor’s Guide: Things to Consider When Choosing an Umbrella Company
In our previous guide, we talked about in what case you’d opt for going with an umbrella company so if you haven’t read it yet,...
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What is an Umbrella Company?
What is an umbrella company?
The primary function of an umbrella company is to organise payments for fix-term work undertaken by...
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Contractor’s Guide to Umbrella Company Costs and Fees
If you are new to freelancing and just researching umbrella companies, you may wonder why a margin is deducted from your pay. After...
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How do umbrella company salary illustrations work? Top tips for when shopping around.
Umbrella companies are a popular choice for freelancers that want to have the ability to work on multiple assignments while enjoying...
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‘Key Information Document’ For Agency Workers
Introduction
A new "Key Information Document" (KID) has been introduced from the 6th of April 2020, bringing extra work and...
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The Benefits of Working with SmartWork
When joining SmartWork, we become your employer with the overall aim of keeping life as simple as possible for you and ensuring you...
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The Grass isn’t Always Greener – Offshore Schemes and What to Avoid
Our employees or prospective clients often come to us, wondering why our figures don't match the improbable 95% retention rates...
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Non-compliant umbrella schemes and how to spot them
Since the off-payroll legislation reform hit i, we’ve seen the popularity of the umbrella company increasing. With that came a...
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Meet our Sales Manager – Neil Kane
Neil has over 14 years of experience within the industry and is always on hand to help support agencies and contractors...
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Umbrellas and the Nursing Agency VAT Concession: The Essentials
Since the IR35 reforms and the subsequent increase in the use of umbrella companies by NHS workers, there has also been a rise in...
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Disguised Remuneration – the April 2019 loan charge
Following our previous look at loan schemes and how these impact your choice of umbrella provider, the latest in this series looks at...
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SmartWork & iContract announce partnership
SmartWork is thrilled to be partnering with iContract, the new online platform connecting contractors and recruiters that has...
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The Criminal Finance Act – time to review your PSL?
From the 30th of September 2017, Companies will become criminally liable if they fail to prevent tax evasion by a member of their...
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3,500
CONTRACTORS & FREELANCERS ASSISTED
830
END CLIENTS/AGENCIES WORKED WITH
17,000
CONTRACT REVIEWS
300
CONTRACTOR QUERIES HANDLED PER WEEK
BENEFITS
Enjoy Your Contracting Journey with a Range of Benefits
From contractor specialist mortgages to financial advice and included insurance, we are continuously working on expanding the range of benefits our contractors enjoy while working with us.
Find out more
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