IR35 calculator & contractor jobsCheck your IR35 pay and find your next contract
Compare inside and outside IR35 take-home pay using current 2026/27 tax rates, then browse contractor jobs by rate, IR35 status and clearance.
NewNew contractor jobs board- 2026/27 ratesLatest UK tax rates
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Estimated results (2026/27 rates)
- Inside IR35
- £66,110
- take-home pay
- £42,790 in tax & NI
- Outside IR35
- £69,932
- take-home pay
- £40,068 in tax & NI
- Difference
- £3,822
- more outside IR35
- (6%)
A quick estimate for one contract with no other income. Inside IR35 assumes a £25 a week umbrella fee. Outside IR35 assumes a £12,570 salary with the rest of the profit paid as dividends. Your full calculation includes your own details.
Compare inside and outside IR35
See take-home pay for umbrella (inside) and limited company (outside) contracts.
Uses current tax rates
Latest HMRC rates, allowances and thresholds, including Scottish Income Tax.
Personalised for you
Includes other income, multiple contracts, student loans and pension contributions.
How the IR35 calculator works
Get an accurate estimate in three simple steps.
- 1Step 1
Choose your tax year
Pick the current or next tax year and whether to include income you expect later in the year.
- 2Step 2
Add your contract details
Enter your day rate, expected working days and your umbrella or limited company details.
- 3Step 3
See your take-home pay
Get take-home pay for each contract and the whole year, with a breakdown from contract value to the money you keep.
2026/27 tax rates used in the calculator
The main UK rates and thresholds for the 2026/27 tax year (6 April to 5 April). Scottish taxpayers use Scottish Income Tax bands on salary.
| Tax / allowance | 2026/27 rate or threshold |
|---|---|
| Personal Allowance | £12,570 |
| Income Tax (England, Wales and NI) | 20% up to £50,270, 40% up to £125,140, 45% above |
| Employee National Insurance | 8% from £12,570 to £50,270, 2% above |
| Employer National Insurance | 15% above £5,000 |
| Dividend tax | £500 allowance, then 10.75%, 35.75% and 39.35% |
| Corporation Tax | 19% up to £50,000 profit, 25% from £250,000, marginal relief in between |
IR35 calculator questions
What is IR35?
IR35, also called the off-payroll working rules, is UK tax legislation that decides whether a contractor working through an intermediary, usually their own limited company, should be taxed like an employee. For most contracts with medium and large clients, the client decides your IR35 status and gives you a Status Determination Statement.
What does inside IR35 mean for take-home pay?
Inside IR35, your pay is taxed through PAYE, usually by an umbrella company. The umbrella takes its fee, employer National Insurance, any Apprenticeship Levy passed on and employer pension from the contract value. What's left is your gross salary, which is taxed with Income Tax, employee National Insurance and any student loan.
What does outside IR35 mean for take-home pay?
Outside IR35, your limited company is paid for the contract. It pays your salary and expenses, then Corporation Tax on its profit. You usually take a small salary plus dividends, which are taxed at lower dividend rates than salary. Any profit you don't pay out stays in the company.
How much more do I take home outside IR35?
It depends on your rate, salary, dividends and other income. Outside IR35 is often worth more because dividends aren't subject to National Insurance and there's no employer National Insurance on them. The quick estimate on the home page compares both for your day rate. For a full calculation with your own details, work out the contract as inside IR35 and as outside IR35.
Can I include more than one contract and other income?
Yes. Add every contract in the tax year, inside or outside IR35, plus PAYE income, property income, savings interest and other dividends. Contracts are taxed in start-date order, so later contracts use the allowances and tax bands that earlier ones leave.
Which tax years does the calculator cover?
The current tax year and the next one, using published HMRC rates, thresholds and allowances, including Scottish Income Tax bands. Where next year's figures aren't fully confirmed, the calculator says so and shows the assumptions it uses.
Are my details saved or shared?
Your answers are saved in your own browser so you can come back to them. They aren't sent to our servers. You can clear them at any time by starting a new calculation.
Is this tax advice?
No. The calculator gives estimates to help you compare options. Tax rules and your circumstances can change the result, so speak to an accountant or tax adviser before making decisions.