Author: Stephanie Whalley

Once upon a time, our devices and phones served just a handful of purposes. These days, they’re more like an extension of ourselves. Our smartphones (and other devices) are now our calendars, online banks, health trackers, nutrition guides, maps, the key to instant communication with contacts all around the world, and so much more. Professionally, apps can drive productivity, boost organisation, automate some of your most arduous tasks and help you set up and maintain robust processes and systems. That’s why, as a freelancer, staying up to date with the latest apps is such an effective way to stay on…

As a freelancer there might be times when you need to travel for work. If you use your own vehicle to make the journey, you can claim the cost of your trip against your tax bill as an allowable business expense. In this article we’ll go over what you can claim for, and how to work out your mileage expenses. How much is the mileage allowance for freelancers? Freelance sole traders can claim a mileage allowance based on what type of vehicle they use for the journey. The flat rate for mileage is set by the government: Cars and…

One of the big attractions of freelancing is the freedom to choose your own schedule, and when and where you work. Sometimes, however, you might find yourself being treated like a regular employee rather than a self-employed contractor. Not only is this not what you signed up for, but it can actually get you in trouble with HMRC! This is because of legislation called IR35, which was introduced by the government to help tackle the issue of tax avoidance. What actually is it, though? And how does it affect you if you’re a freelancer? Let’s take a look. What is…

One of the most empowering things about being a freelancer is being able to set your own rates and decide when and how you want to be paid. Setting clear and realistic payment terms and conditions minimises the risk of delayed payments and helps build stronger client relationships. Delayed payments are a real issue, as recent research published by IPSE shows that almost a third (32%) of UK freelancers experienced payment delays from clients in the 12 months leading up to the survey. Separate GOV.UK research also explored the ever-present late payment problem and found that businesses attributed paying invoices…

When you’ve poured your time, skills and funds into creating something as a freelancer, releasing it into the world can be a bit scary. Especially if you’re worried other people might claim it as their own. This is where Intellectual Property (IP) protection comes in. The first thing you need to do if you want to protect your IP, is get to grips with what Intellectual Property is. When you know what you’re dealing with, you’re in a better position to make the right moves for your business. What is Intellectual Property? Intellectual Property is something that has been created…

Yes – OnlyFans creators need to pay tax on their earnings, just like any other form of self-employed income. It counts towards your total personal income for the tax year, so it’s subject to Income Tax and National Insurance once you go over the £1,000 trading allowance. This applies whether OnlyFans is your main source of income or a side hustle alongside other employment. Here’s a closer look at how OnlyFans income is taxed, what counts as a legal job, and what to consider if you’re doing this alongside employed work. What is OnlyFans? OnlyFans is an app created…

Being a self-employed freelancer usually means you’re wearing so many hats that it can be easy to skip something. Forgetting to share a social media post or pushing back a self-imposed deadline might seem harmless, but there are other more critical things that shouldn’t be overlooked. For some freelancers, creating contracts of work can be one of those things you keep high on your priority list and share with every client you have. After all, a well-drafted freelance contract can often support smooth working relationships, align expectations and protect your business in case any issues arise. We share our tips…

As a freelancer, your time is your own. This is great when it comes to setting your own schedule and managing your own time. You don’t need to worry about things like core working hours or set office hours, but it also means you don’t get paid for a contracted number of hours like an employee does.

Outreach sounds scary, we get it. Especially when outreach is so often associated with old-fashioned methods like cold calling or door-knocking that make you wonder if you’ll need a rejection therapist on speed dial to execute. However, lots of freelancers – your competitors included – are using outreach strategies to engage and win new clients and keep their calendars full of projects. Plus, while cold methods still have their place, the world has evolved and outreach has become far more diverse and versatile. So, fear not, we’re here to steer you in the right direction, help you nail your outreach…

Not necessarily – freelancers only need to charge VAT if they are VAT-registered, and VAT registration only becomes mandatory once your taxable turnover exceeds £90,000 in a 12-month period. If your income is below this threshold, you don’t have to charge VAT, though you can choose to register voluntarily. This article explains how VAT works for freelancers, when registration is required, and what the different VAT schemes involve. How does VAT work for freelancers? Here are some key things to know about VAT as a freelancer: VAT works the same for freelancers as it does for any other type…