Author: Tom Goodwin

IR35 can be tricky to wrap your head around, so it’s no surprise most compliance mistakes freelancers make come from being confused, not careless. Thankfully, knowing where people tend to go wrong makes it easier for you to avoid the same pitfalls. In this article, we’ll cover the most common mistakes, why each one matters, and what to do instead. First, though, let’s quickly go over the basics. What is IR35? IR35 is a set of UK tax rules designed to determine an individual’s employment status for tax purposes. It was introduced as part of an initiative to clamp down…

Having a good, well-drafted contract in place with your client is critical to your long-term success as a freelancer, as this promotes a professional working relationship and helps to safeguard your business against any issues that might arise. Now, life as a self-employed freelancer can be a bit overwhelming, and so it’s easy to overlook important details – especially in something like a contract. You may just want to get it written up as quickly as possible, but this isn’t the best approach if you want to guarantee your rights are protected. In this article, we’ll cover the basics, then…

The nature of being a self-employed freelancer means there’s no employer to make tax deductions on your behalf through Pay As You Earn (PAYE), and so it’s your responsibility to get everything right yourself. Your destiny is also in your own hands as a freelancer, meaning you set your own payment terms, and find your own clients. But how do you ensure you’re setting the right rate to cover your time, holidays, sick leave and your pension? Thankfully, there are some useful tax calculators available online which help to remove some of the guesswork – so that you can get…

The way you pay yourself as a sole trader or limited company has a direct impact on how tax-efficient you are overall. Most freelancers choose to operate as sole traders where there’s no legal distinction between you as a person and you as a business, and submit Self Assessment tax returns to report their earnings. Some freelancers find they benefit from registering as a limited company instead, especially if they’re aiming to be as tax-efficient as possible. In this article we’ll share some common signs as to when this might be. Tax for sole traders As a sole trader, there’s…

Freelancers are understandably concerned about the continued rise of AI, which is becoming more and more commonplace as it gets smarter and the technology improves. You may be worried about it taking work from you – or maybe even replacing you entirely. But what if you could somehow use it to your advantage, turning it into a kind of assistant or sidekick? In this article, we’ll explain what AI actually is, then break down the different ways you can make use of it as a freelancer in 2026. Some of them may surprise you! What is AI? Quite simply, artificial…

If your freelancing earns between £100,000 and £125,140, you may find that you fall into the 60% tax trap. What is this, though? And is there a way around it? In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know, and even explore ways you can legally reduce your tax bill. Let’s get into it. What gets caught out by the 60% tax trap? Most people in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland pay income tax using one or a combination of the the standard rates of 20%, 40%, or 45%, depending on how much they earn: Personal Allowance: Earn…

Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD IT for short) is set to replace the Self Assessment process for some sole traders and landlords. It’s rolling out in phases, beginning in April 2026, but whether or not you need to start complying with the MTD rules depends on your qualifying income. In this article, we’ll go through the key changes and also explain how you can best prepare yourself for the switch to MTD. What is MTD IT? Making Tax Digital for Income Tax (MTD IT) is HMRC’s plan to replace the Self Assessment with a new digital reporting system.…

Yes – it’s absolutely fine to start freelancing without a niche, and many successful freelancers do exactly that. While having a specialism can help you stand out and command higher rates, starting out as a generalist gives you the flexibility to explore different types of work, discover what you enjoy, and build a broader client base. This article looks at the pros and cons of both approaches to help you decide what’s right for you. What is a freelance niche? A freelance niche is basically your go-to area of expertise – the thing you’re known for and that people start…

With the continued rise of AI, it’s understandable that many freelancers are becoming increasingly concerned about losing out on work in both the short and long term.

Picture the scene: you sit down at your desk to finally tackle that all-important piece of work you need to get done, when suddenly the pile of washing in the corner starts calling your name…