Our blog
Umbrella employees with a Limited Company: Don’t miss the P11D deadline (6th July)
For many UK contractors, depending on their contract structure, tax position or client requirements, they’ll work through a combination of running their own Limited Company, or as an employee under an Umbrella Company. Whilst an umbrella employee’s pay and tax are handled through PAYE, if you’re also running a Limited Company alongside it additional reporting obligations are introduced, especially around Benefits in Kind (BiKs). One of the most important [...]
What is a UTR number, and why it matters for UK tax returns
As an umbrella company employee, you’ll most likely come across the term Unique Taxpayer Reference (UTR). But what is it, what is it used for, and most importantly, as an umbrella employee do you even need one? In this blog we break it all down in simple terms, so you understand exactly what a UTR is, and how it fits into your tax situation. [...]
Umbrella employees and tax returns: Who needs to file, what to prepare, and why now is the time to start
Most umbrella company employees are paid through PAYE, so their tax and National Insurance is automatically deducted from their wages. For most, this means they do not need to complete a Self-Assessment tax return. However, there are some umbrella employees who may still need to file one. If you receive additional income, have more than one role, or have certain specific tax circumstances, you may still need [...]
The most common tax surprises for Umbrella Contractors (and how to avoid them)
Working under an umbrella company is commonly seen as a simple and compliant way to get paid through PAYE. For a lot of contractors, tax is deducted automatically, your National Insurance is handled for you, and there’s noticeably less administrative burden than that if you were running a Limited Company. Whilst this may be the case, umbrella employees may still experience tax issues, which can lead [...]
The Spring Forecast 2026
In Tuesday's Spring Forecast, Chancellor Rachel Reeves presented the latest economic and fiscal forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR), providing an updated outlook for the UK economy. There were no major new tax or spending announcements, in line with the government’s focus on stability and growth. The OBR forecasts moderate GDP growth of around 1.1% in 2026, rising [...]
Pension planning for the new tax year 2026/27
The new tax year is the perfect time to review your current pension allowances and ensure the plan you have in place is maximising your savings. One of the most effective ways to do this is through salary sacrifice, which allows you to contribute more to your pension while reducing the amount of tax and National Insurance owed. Whether you’re new to using an Umbrella [...]
Checking your tax code – what Umbrella Employees need to do
When you’re contracting through an Umbrella Company, you’ll face unique tax considerations. Unlike permanent roles, your tax code may differ depending on your earnings and other employments. It’s essential to get it right, to avoid a large tax bill at the end of the year. This guide explores how tax codes work, looks at the common codes for Umbrella employees, and gives actionable steps to keep your tax affairs in order as [...]
What is a P60 Form? A complete guide for Umbrella Company employees
As an employee of an umbrella company, it’s essential to understand your P60. Many contractors and temporary workers ask, “What is a P60?” or “When will my umbrella company issue my P60?” A P60 is an official end-of-tax-year document that summarises your income, tax paid, and National Insurance contributions. In this guide, we explain everything umbrella company employees need to know about their P60, including why it matters, [...]
What Announcements Were Made in the Autumn Budget 2025?
With so much pre-Budget speculation, we were expecting a long wait for the detail - but events moved faster than anyone anticipated. In an unprecedented slip, the Office for Budget Responsibility (OBR) accidentally published its Economic and Fiscal Outlook around an hour before the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, delivered her Budget speech. The OBR has apologised and an investigation is under [...]
How to Handle Gaps Between Contracts When Contracting Through an Umbrella Company
Part of working as a contractor through an umbrella company is experiencing the inevitable gaps between contracts. Instead of downtime or risk, these periods can be managed in a way to maintain your employment continuity, protect your rights, and keep your income flow steady. In this blog we look closer at why gaps matter, how you can prepare for [...]
Why Continuity of Employment Matters for Umbrella Company Contractors
When working via an Umbrella Company, understanding the continuity of employment can make a huge difference to your financial stability, rights and your peace of mind. In simple terms, continuity of employment means you stay employed by the same organisation (SG Umbrella), even when moving between different contracts. In this blog we’ll explain what it is, why it matters [...]
Understanding the Apprenticeship Levy for Umbrella Company Contractors
Working through an umbrella company you’ll no doubt have noticed a deduction labelled ‘Apprenticeship Levy’ on your payslip. Whilst this deduction won’t directly impact your take-home pay, it’s important to understand its purpose and why it’s included. In this blog we’ll explain what the Apprenticeship Levy is, why umbrella companies are subject to it and how it affects you [...]
SG Umbrella named finalist at the Contracting Awards 2025
Proud to be recognised among the best We’re delighted to share that SG Umbrella was a finalist in the Best Umbrella Company, 500 - 1,000 Clients category at this year’s Contracting Awards 2025! While we didn’t take home the award this time, we’re incredibly proud to have been recognised among the top umbrella companies in the UK, which is a [...]
Umbrella Company regulations – what’s coming and what you need to know
The umbrella industry is facing major regulatory changes, and as an SG Umbrella employee, it’s essential to understand what’s coming and how it affects you. With HMRC cracking down on non-compliant providers, hidden deductions, and mini-umbrella fraud, new legislation is set to improve transparency, strengthen employment rights, and enforce licensing for umbrella companies. In this blog, we break down the [...]
Key tax deadlines for SG Umbrella employees – what you need to know
As an SG Umbrella employee, staying on top of key tax deadlines is easier than ever. We handle all PAYE deductions, payroll administration, and HMRC compliance for you, so you can focus on your work without worrying about tax paperwork. In this blog, we break down the most important tax dates for Umbrella employees, including P60 insurance, P11D reporting for [...]
We’d love to chat about how we can support you.
Call us now, drop us an email or fill in the form and we’ll get back to you.
New enquiries:
newbusiness@sg-umbrella.co.uk
01962 896954
Existing clients: