IR35 Calculator
Compare your take-home pay inside vs outside IR35. See exactly how much more you could earn through a limited company, with full breakdowns of taxes, NI, and deductions.
Your daily contract rate
Take-home pay
£59,544/year
Take-home pay
£65,328/year
+£5,784 more (9.7%)
You could take home £5,784 more outside IR35
That's 9.7% more per year
Based on UK 2024/25 tax rates. This is an estimate for comparison purposes only. Consult an accountant for personalised advice. IR35 status is determined by the nature of your engagement, not by choice.
Get early access to EchoMatch
Find contract roles without speaking to recruiters. Be first to try our AI-powered matching.
Related Tools
Explore More Useful Calculators
Day Rate Calculator
Convert between permanent salary and contractor day rate. Includes employer NI, pension, and holiday calculations.
Try it freeUmbrella vs Limited Company
Compare umbrella company vs running your own limited company. Find your break-even point.
Try it freeJob Spec Red Flag Scanner
Scan job descriptions for warning signs and get brutally honest translations of corporate speak.
Try it freeUnderstanding the calculations
How the Calculator Works
This calculator compares two scenarios to show you the financial difference between Inside and Outside IR35 status:
Inside IR35 (Umbrella)
- Your day rate goes through an umbrella company that deducts their fees
- Employer National Insurance (13.8%) is deducted before you receive your salary
- You pay Employee NI (8%/2%) and Income Tax (20%/40%/45%) like a regular employee
- Student loan repayments are calculated on your gross salary
Outside IR35 (Ltd Company)
- You invoice through your limited company and receive gross revenue
- Pay yourself a tax-efficient salary (typically £12,570 to use personal allowance)
- Company pays Corporation Tax (19-25%) on profits after expenses and salary
- Take remaining profits as dividends, taxed at lower rates (8.75%/33.75%/39.35%)
IR35 explained
What Is IR35?
Off-Payroll Working Rules
IR35 is tax legislation designed to identify contractors who would be employees if they worked directly for their client (known as "disguised employees"). If a contract is deemed Inside IR35, the contractor pays similar taxes to an employee, even though they work through their own company.
Who Determines IR35 Status?
Since April 2021, medium and large private sector clients are responsible for determining IR35 status. Small companies and public sector clients follow different rules. The determination is based on the actual working relationship, not just what's written in the contract.
Key Factors That Determine Status
- Control - Does the client control how, when, and where you work?
- Substitution - Can you send someone else to do the work?
- Mutuality of Obligation - Is the client obliged to offer work, and are you obliged to accept it?
- Part and Parcel - Are you integrated into the client's organisation?
- Financial Risk - Do you bear financial risk and have opportunity for profit?
Important factors
Key Considerations
IR35 Status Is Not Your Choice
You cannot simply choose to be outside IR35 to pay less tax. Your status is determined by the nature of your working relationship with the client. Working through an umbrella or limited company doesn't automatically make you inside or outside IR35.
The Risks of Getting It Wrong
If HMRC determines you were incorrectly classified as outside IR35, they can pursue back taxes, National Insurance, interest, and penalties. Since 2021, the liability often falls on the fee-payer (usually the agency), but you should still ensure your status is correctly assessed.
Other Factors to Consider
Beyond take-home pay, consider job security, pension contributions, holiday pay, sick pay, and other benefits. Inside IR35 through an umbrella often includes holiday pay accrual and workplace pension contributions. Outside IR35, you're responsible for your own provisions.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is IR35?
- IR35 is UK tax legislation that determines whether a contractor is genuinely self-employed or a 'disguised employee' for tax purposes. If you're inside IR35, you pay similar taxes to an employee. If you're outside IR35, you can benefit from lower tax rates by paying yourself through dividends from your limited company.
- What's the difference between inside and outside IR35?
- Inside IR35 means you're taxed like an employee - you pay Income Tax and National Insurance on your earnings. Outside IR35, you can pay yourself a small salary and take the rest as dividends, which are taxed at lower rates. The difference in take-home pay can be significant, often 10-25% depending on your day rate.
- How much more do you take home outside IR35?
- The difference depends on your day rate, but typically contractors take home 10-25% more outside IR35. At £500/day, the difference could be £15,000-£25,000 per year. This is because dividends are taxed at lower rates than employment income, and you avoid some National Insurance contributions.
- What determines my IR35 status?
- IR35 status is determined by the actual working relationship, not what's in the contract. Key factors include: control (does the client dictate how you work?), substitution (can you send someone else?), mutuality of obligation (are you obliged to accept work?), and whether you're integrated into the client's organisation.
- What are the risks of being caught inside IR35?
- If HMRC determines you were incorrectly outside IR35, they can demand back taxes, National Insurance, interest (currently around 7%), and penalties of up to 100% of the tax due in serious cases. Since April 2021, liability often falls on the fee-payer, but there can still be significant financial and reputational consequences.