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Top Ten Umbrella Company Misconceptions Explained
28 February 2023If 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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Everything you need to navigate the world of contracting

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20 July 2023
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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18 April 2023
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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31 March 2023
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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Unlocking the Benefits: Why Contractors Should Choose an Umbrella Company
26 September 2023In 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?
25 September 2023
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
20 July 2023They 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
11 July 2023
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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Contractor’s Guide: Working Through an Umbrella Company
14 June 2023What is an umbrella company?
The primary function of an umbrella company is to organise payments for fixed-term work undertaken by...
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Do I Need to Submit a Self-Assessment Tax Return if I Use an Umbrella Company?
18 April 2023
What is Self-Assessment?
Self-Assessment is a system HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) uses to collect Income Tax. Tax is usually...
READ ARTICLE

Reasons Your Net Pay Might Differ from a Take-home Pay Illustration
31 March 2023It 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
22 March 2023
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
28 February 2023If you are considering the option of becoming a contractor, one of the possible routes is working via an umbrella company. How and why...
READ ARTICLE

How much tax do I pay as an umbrella worker?
18 January 2022Updated 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
30 November 2021Introduction
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)?
09 November 2021
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
20 July 2021As 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
17 May 2021
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
11 May 2021In 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
02 March 2021
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?
20 January 2021What 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
02 December 2020
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.
27 October 2020
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?
10 September 2020
Why review?
Companies are criminally liable if they fail to prevent tax evasion by a staff member or other ‘associated’...
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Umbrella Insurance Explained
09 July 2020
One of the benefits of contracting via an Umbrella company is freedom from admin. This is no different when it comes to insurance....
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‘Key Information Document’ For Agency Workers
24 April 2020
Introduction
A new "Key Information Document" (KID) has been introduced from the 6th of April 2020, bringing extra work and...
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SmartWork Benefits Guide
31 March 2020
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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Coronavirus (COVID-19) | Precautions and Measures
13 March 2020
Given the recent developments on Coronavirus, it is our top priority to ensure the protection and safety of our people, including...
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Meet our new affiliate partner Contractor Friendly Mortgages
25 February 2020
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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SmartWork Passes Annual FCSA Review for the 5th Consecutive Year
19 February 2020
SmartWork is pleased to announce that we have once again passed our annual FCSA review.
FCSA Accreditation demonstrates to...
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The Grass isn’t Always Greener – Offshore Schemes and What to Avoid
13 February 2020
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
12 November 2019
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
04 July 2019
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
18 September 2018Since 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
22 February 2018Following 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
03 October 2017
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?
29 September 2017From 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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