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
Calculate
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.
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?
Find out what makes us different from other umbrella providers in the market.
Learn More
Innovative,
customer-centric
approach
Dedicated business managers
We take the time to understand you and your role to ensure there is always someone to guide you through your freelancing career.
Same day payments
Get your money the same day we receive it from your agency, at no additional cost.
Secure SmartPortal
With our SmartPortal, you can view all your payslips, submit timesheets, access all your previous earnings or holiday records, and change any details.
100% compliant & accredited
We are accredited by FCSA and APSCo, meeting the highest industry standards, including full compliance with HMRC and IR35.
Helpline to support your career
Call our helpline or your designated business manager five days a week to get answers to your questions.
Instant set-up
SmartWork can have you set up in 15 minutes. We can process your application over the phone or you can click Join Now.
Cost-effective service
At just £20 per week or £80 per month, with no set-up or exit fees, and zero hidden charges, SmartWork is one of the most cost effective umbrella companies in the UK.
Standard insurance
You automatically receive insurance cover including £10m Public Liability, £10m Employer’s Liability, £10m Professional Indemnity and £2m Medical Malpractice.
Call SmartWork today on 0800 434 6446
Blog
Everything you need to navigate the world of contracting
Autumn Statement 2023 – Key Announcements and Analysis
The Autumn Statement for 2023, presented by Jeremy Hunt on November 22nd, brought forth a series of significant announcements that...
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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?
Umbrella or Agency PAYE
As a contractor, you may find that your assignment falls inside IR35. So, what options do you...
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Explained: Holiday pay when you work through an umbrella company
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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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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The First-Timer’s Guide to Contracting with 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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Spring Budget 2023 – A Detailed Look
Source: MyAccountant.co.uk
On 15 March, Chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivered a ‘Budget for Growth’ after the Office for Budget...
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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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How much tax do I pay as an umbrella worker?
Updated for 2023/24
If you are reading this article, there is a good chance you are one of the 2.2 million-strong freelance...
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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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Tax Codes Explained – Umbrella Contractor’s Guide
Tax Codes - Everyone on payroll in the UK has them, but what are they, and how are they important?
In this guide, we will go...
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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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Recruitment Agencies, Is it Time to Review Your PSL?
Why review?
Companies are criminally liable if they fail to prevent tax evasion by a staff member or other ‘associated’...
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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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Meet our new affiliate partner Contractor Friendly Mortgages
We are excited to announce our new partnership with Contractor Friendly Mortgages to add to the list of benefits for SmartWork's...
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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
I used SmartWork’s Umbrella services for the past year, and have had nothing but wonderful service from them. From initial setup to the occasional question I had from time to time, the team were always easy to contact and happy to help. Payments were always very prompt and I would highly recommend them to anyone looking to operate through an Umbrella.”
Lead Business Analyst
SmartWork has been amazing for the past 16 months. Even during the COVID crisis I could expect a timely response from the team and no interruptions to their service. Far better than my previous provider in both customer service and value for money. I’m sure I’ll be back if/when the need arises.”
Project Manager