Payroll, explained.
19 plain-English guides on umbrella and CIS payroll, legislation, compliance and outsourcing.
Legislation and HMRC UpdatesApril 2026 joint and several liability: what recruitment agencies need to know
Since 6 April 2026, HMRC can recover unpaid umbrella company PAYE from the agency. What that means and how to manage the risk.
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Contractor GuidesHow to read an umbrella payslip
From assignment rate to take-home pay, line by line, with a worked 2026/27 example.
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Accountant PartnershipsWhite-label payroll: a guide for accountants
How to offer payroll to your clients without processing it yourself, and what to look for in a partner.
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Contractor GuidesWhat is IR35? The off-payroll working rules explained
What IR35 is, who decides whether it applies, what happens inside and outside IR35, and your options as a contractor or client.
Read the guide →Umbrella PayrollUmbrella payroll vs PAYE: what's the difference?
Both pay workers through PAYE. The difference is who the employer is, and that changes costs, rights and responsibilities.
Read the guide →CIS PayrollUmbrella vs CIS: which is appropriate for construction workers?
CIS is for genuinely self-employed subcontractors. How the work is done decides the route, not the job title.
Read the guide →PEO SolutionsWhat is a PEO and how does it work in the UK?
A Professional Employer Organisation employs workers on a business's behalf. In the UK the model varies, so always check who the legal employer is.
Read the guide →PEO SolutionsPEO vs traditional payroll outsourcing
Both take payroll off your hands. Only one takes on the employment. Here is how to choose.
Read the guide →Recruitment Agency ComplianceHow recruitment agencies can reduce payroll compliance risk
Seven practical steps for agencies using umbrella companies since the April 2026 rules.
Read the guide →Recruitment Agency ComplianceWhat does Professional Passport accreditation mean?
What Professional Passport checks, how often, and what accreditation can and cannot tell you.
Read the guide →Umbrella PayrollUnderstanding umbrella payroll deductions
Every deduction between your assignment rate and your take-home pay, with 2026/27 rates.
Read the guide →Employment RightsWhat is a Key Information Document?
The document every agency worker must receive before agreeing terms, and what it should show you.
Read the guide →PAYE and Payroll OutsourcingWhen should a business outsource payroll?
Six signs it is time to hand payroll to a specialist, and what to expect when you do.
Read the guide →CIS PayrollCIS deduction rates explained
20%, 30% or nothing: how CIS rates work, what they apply to, and how to get gross payment status.
Read the guide →PAYE and Payroll OutsourcingPAYE vs umbrella: examples for agencies and contractors
Four real-world situations, and which payroll route fits each one.
Read the guide →Legislation and HMRC UpdatesThe future of umbrella company compliance in the UK
What is already law, what is expected in 2027, and what agencies and umbrella companies should do now.
Read the guide →Payroll TechnologyWhat is veriPAYE and how does it support payroll verification?
FCSA's payslip verification tool lets agencies check workers' payslips against payment records, free of charge.
Read the guide →Recruitment Agency ComplianceCommon payroll mistakes recruitment agencies should avoid
Eight mistakes that create tax, legal and reputational risk, and how to avoid them.
Read the guide →Recruitment Agency ComplianceHow to choose a payroll partner in 2026
A ten-point checklist for agencies, businesses and accountants choosing who runs their payroll.
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