UMBRELLA SERVICES
Overview
As an independent professional, there are two principal payroll options available to you: contracting through your own limited company or using an umbrella company. Opting to use an umbrella company as your payroll provider is the easiest way to get paid as a contractor. The sign up process is incredibly straightforward and there are no joining or leaving fees when you choose Accountax Consultants UK Umbrella as your payroll provider.
When you sign up to Accountax Consultants UK Umbrella, you will become our employee and we will pay your salary through PAYE (Pay As You Earn). You do not have to worry about calculating your tax and National Insurance Contributions (NIC) because we will do this and send the funds to HMRC for you. You will receive a payslip like a permanent employee and the appropriate deductions will be listed for your information.
Your administrative requirements when using Accountax Consultants UK Umbrella are minimal and you will only be required to send your signed timesheets and any receipts for expense claims. This would only take few minutes of your time. To help make this as easy as possible, you will have access to dedicated managers who will look after your account.
Using an umbrella company is an excellent way to kick starts your contracting career. Umbrella companies are often the preferred option for first time contractors because of the fast and uncomplicated setup. If you decide that contracting is something that you want to do for the foreseeable future, you might be better suited to setting up and becoming the director of your own limited company. This may sound like a complex transition, but with Accountax Consultants UK Limited, switching between our umbrella and accountancy services is hassle free.
Limited Company Or Umbrella Company?
Whether you’re new to contracting or looking to find the best payroll option for you, there are various different advantages and disadvantages to setting up your own limited company and becoming the director, or using an umbrella company and becoming their employee. Most contractors want to know if they will be better off with a limited company or an umbrella service. However, take home pay is not the only factor that will affect your decision. More information is available below.
The reality is that the option you choose will be based entirely on your individual requirements. We can offer you impartial advice and guide you through each option, to help you make an informed decision that’s right for you. To find out more about both options, take a look at our list of benefits for both setting up a limited company and using an umbrella company below.
Limited Company
Setting up your own limited company is the payroll option that will legally maximise your take home pay, in full compliance with HMRC legislation. You will become both the director and a shareholder of your company and can pay yourself with a combination of salary and dividends.
Running a limited company is the most tax efficient payroll option, especially for contractors operating outside IR35, and you can claim back a wide range of expenses including the VAT on services like accounting. The amount you take home is favourable, especially in comparison to using an umbrella company service. Setting up and running a limited company has some drawbacks. The initial paperwork and ongoing administration can be demanding for some and this is why so many contractors decide to use a reliable accountancy service. We will handle the set-up of the company along with all of the paperwork involved; from registering with Companies House, setting up payroll and registering the company for Corporation Tax and VAT. By choosing to use this option, many contractors save themselves the hassle and gain valuable amounts of time.
Contracting through a limited company in a nutshell:
The most tax efficient way to legally maximise your take home pay
Tax relief on a variety of costs and expenses including pension contributions and mileage
A contractor accountant can make your life easier by eliminating a majority of the administration and providing advice, although this service is more expensive than using an umbrella company
Flexibility, freedom and control over your finances and for advanced tax planning Our contractor accountancy services are designed to ensure you have complete peace of mind when running your business.
Umbrella Company
Contractors who are looking for a quick payroll set up and minimal administration often decide to get paid using an umbrella company. This is a simple method to receive payments from your client. If you decide to join an umbrella company, you will officially become their employee. The umbrella company is responsible for invoicing your client and making sure that you receive your salary after deductions for tax, National Insurance and the umbrella’s margin.
Using an umbrella company is suitable for any contractor. However, umbrella companies are typically used by first time contractors, contractors on a short term assignment, contractors working in the public sector and contractors who do not want their own limited company.
Using an umbrella company is not the best option if you are entirely focused on maximising your take home pay. Because you will become an employee of the umbrella company, you will be paid PAYE as if you were in permanent employment. This will remove a lot of the benefits that contractors look for when they choose to become self-employed, including receiving dividends and company loans.
Contracting through an umbrella company in a nutshell:
Quick set up
No joining or leaving fees
Minimal administration
Salary paid via PAYE by the umbrella company
Lower take home pay than contracting through a limited company