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Accounting for contractors

We work with thousands of contractors across the UK to help them with CIS tax returns, IR35 advice & support, company incorporation, umbrella companies, tax planning, expense management, and so much more.

Our contractor specialists love supporting our contractor clients. We’re accredited by respected contractor associations including FCSA and Contractor UK and we’ve been shortlisted for many contractor awards as well as being highly commended in the Contracting Awards 2020.

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DNS-Accountants

Our contractor accounting services

Here at dns, we support and advise thousands of landlords with all their accountancy, tax and landlord needs. Our specialist team of accountants for contractors offer a full range of services for all your contracting needs.

  • IR35 advice
  • Self-assessment tax returns
  • Bookkeeping
  • Monthly accounts & reports
  • Year end accounts & corporation tax returns
  • Monthly payroll & payslips
  • Quarterly VAT returns
  • Umbrella services

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DNS-Accountants

We take care of...

We support and advise thousands of people just like you across the UK and abroad
with our amazing team of experts.

13,000+
clients
27
offices
100+
experts
18+
years’ experience

Your path to easy accounting…

Hassle free accounting

All your accounting needs in one place. Online leading software and in person with our friendly team.

  • No penalty guarantee
  • 4 hour response
  • Dedicated contractor team
  • Free cloud software

IR35

Helping you navigate the complex rules around IR35

  • IR35 reviews
  • Online tools & calculators
  • Detailed IR35 guides & advice
  • Wide range of contractor packages

No surprises

Our services give you complete control and support for all your contracting needs.

  • Clear concise advice
  • Regular reporting
  • Certainty & confidence
  • Best client experience
  • Technology with real-time information
  • Hassle free accounting
  • IR35
  • Saving tax & no penalties
DNS-Accountants

Our packages

We've got a range of packages to suit all types
of people

  • Perfect for the small business with very few transactions
    Starter
    Tax and accountancy
    • Up to 240 yearly transactions support / Bookkeeping
    • 0 / Monthly payroll
    • P11D return
    • Company year-end accounts
    • Corporation tax return
    • Quarterly VAT return
    • Year-end tax review meeting
    • 0 / Standard self-assessment tax return
    Online accountancy software
    • Nomisma cloud based real time accounting software
    • Automated invoicing and financial control
    • Track your expenses & store receipts via mobile app
    • Generate dividend vouchers
    • Full training and support
    Dedicated account manager
    • Face-to-face meeting during business hours
    • Single point of contact
    • Reference letter for lenders & visas
    • Email & Telephone Support(fair usage policy)
    Company secretarial
    • Confirmation statement
    • Registered office
    Company setup
    • Company formation
    • VAT registration
    • PAYE registration
    Other benefits
    • Newsletter and tax tips
    • Monthly compliance report
    • IR35 review
    • 0 / Monthly CIS returns
    • Financial planning review
  • Suitable for small businesses requiring more support
    Lite
    Tax and accountancy
    • Up to 600 yearly transactions support / Bookkeeping
    • 1 / Monthly payroll
    • P11D return
    • Company year-end accounts
    • Corporation tax return
    • Quarterly VAT return
    • Year-end tax review meeting
    • 1 / Standard self-assessment tax return
    Online accountancy software
    • Nomisma cloud based real time accounting software
    • Automated invoicing and financial control
    • Track your expenses & store receipts via mobile app
    • Generate dividend vouchers
    • Full training and support
    Dedicated account manager
    • Face-to-face meeting during business hours
    • Single point of contact
    • Reference letter for lenders & visas
    • Telephone & email support(fair usage policy)
    Company secretarial
    • Confirmation statement
    • Registered office
    Company setup
    • Company formation
    • VAT registration
    • PAYE registration
    Other benefits
    • Newsletter and tax tips
    • Monthly compliance report
    • IR35 review
    • 1 / Monthly CIS returns
    • Financial planning review
  • Our most popular package, perfect for most businesses
    Standard
    Tax and accountancy
    • Up to 1200 yearly transactions support / Bookkeeping
    • 2 / Monthly payroll
    • P11D return
    • Company year-end accounts
    • Corporation tax return
    • Quarterly VAT return
    • Year-end tax review meeting
    • 1 / Standard self-assessment tax return
    Online accountancy software
    • Nomisma cloud based real time accounting software
    • Automated invoicing and financial control
    • Track your expenses & store receipts via mobile app
    • Generate dividend vouchers
    • Full training and support
    Dedicated account manager
    • Face-to-face meeting during business hours
    • Single point of contact
    • Reference letter for lenders & visas
    • Telephone & email support(fair usage policy)
    Company secretarial
    • Confirmation statement
    • Registered office
    Company setup
    • Company formation
    • VAT registration
    • PAYE registration
    Other benefits
    • Newsletter and tax tips
    • Monthly compliance report
    • IR35 review
    • 2 / Monthly CIS returns
    • Financial planning review
  • For those who want to get the maximum service from us
    Premium
    Tax and accountancy
    • Up to 1800 yearly transactions support / Bookkeeping
    • 5 / Monthly payroll
    • P11D return
    • Company year-end accounts
    • Corporation tax return
    • Quarterly VAT return
    • Year-end tax review meeting
    • 2 / Standard self-assessment tax return
    Online accountancy software
    • Nomisma cloud based real time accounting software
    • Automated invoicing and financial control
    • Track your expenses & store receipts via mobile app
    • Generate dividend vouchers
    • Full training and support
    Dedicated account manager
    • Face-to-face meeting during business hours
    • Single point of contact
    • Reference letter for lenders & visas
    • Telephone & email support(fair usage policy)
    Company secretarial
    • Confirmation statement
    • Registered office
    Company setup
    • Company formation
    • VAT registration
    • PAYE registration
    Other benefits
    • Newsletter and tax tips
    • Monthly compliance report
    • IR35 review
    • 3 / Monthly CIS returns
    • Financial planning review
  • Perfect for the small business with very few transactions
    Starter
    Tax and accountancy
    • Up to 240 yearly transactions support / Bookkeeping
    • Up to £20K Turnover
    • Sole trader accounts
    • Monthly payroll
    • P11D return
    • Quarterly VAT return
    • Year-end tax review meeting
    • 1 / Standard self-assessment tax return
    Online accountancy software
    • Nomisma cloud based real time accounting software
    • Automated invoicing and financial control
    • Track your expenses & store receipts via mobile app
    • Full training and support
    Dedicated account manager
    • Face-to-face meeting during business hours
    • Single point of contact
    • Reference letter for lenders & visas
    • Unlimited Support via telephone or email
    Set up
    • Sole trader registration
    • VAT registration
    • PAYE registration
    • Support with opening a bank account
    Other benefits
    • Monthly newsletter & tax tips
    • Financial planning review
  • Suitable for small businesses requiring more support
    Lite
    Tax and accountancy
    • Up to 600 yearly transactions support / Bookkeeping
    • Between £20k to £85k Turnover
    • Sole trader accounts
    • Monthly payroll
    • P11D return
    • Quarterly VAT return
    • Year-end tax review meeting
    • 1 / Standard self-assessment tax return
    Online accountancy software
    • Nomisma cloud based real time accounting software
    • Automated invoicing and financial control
    • Track your expenses & store receipts via mobile app
    • Full training and support
    Dedicated account manager
    • Face-to-face meeting during business hours
    • Single point of contact
    • Reference letter for lenders & visas
    • Unlimited Support via telephone or email
    Set up
    • Sole trader registration
    • VAT registration
    • PAYE registration
    • Support with opening a bank account
    Other benefits
    • Monthly newsletter & tax tips
    • Financial planning review
  • Our most popular package, perfect for most businesses
    Standard
    Tax and accountancy
    • Up to 1200 yearly transactions support / Bookkeeping
    • Between £85k to £120k Turnover
    • Sole trader accounts
    • 1 / Monthly payroll
    • P11D return
    • Quarterly VAT return
    • Year-end tax review meeting
    • 1 / Standard self-assessment tax return
    Online accountancy software
    • Nomisma cloud based real time accounting software
    • Automated invoicing and financial control
    • Track your expenses & store receipts via mobile app
    • Full training and support
    Dedicated account manager
    • Face-to-face meeting during business hours
    • Single point of contact
    • Reference letter for lenders & visas
    • Unlimited Support via telephone or email
    Set up
    • Sole trader registration
    • VAT registration
    • PAYE registration
    • Support with opening a bank account
    Other benefits
    • Monthly newsletter & tax tips
    • Financial planning review
  • For those who want to get the maximum service from us
    Premium
    Tax and accountancy
    • Up to 1800 yearly transactions support / Bookkeeping
    • Between £120k to £200k Turnover
    • Sole trader accounts
    • 2 / Monthly payroll
    • P11D return
    • Quarterly VAT return
    • Year-end tax review meeting
    • 1 / Standard self-assessment tax return
    Online accountancy software
    • Nomisma cloud based real time accounting software
    • Automated invoicing and financial control
    • Track your expenses & store receipts via mobile app
    • Full training and support
    Dedicated account manager
    • Face-to-face meeting during business hours
    • Single point of contact
    • Reference letter for lenders & visas
    • Unlimited Support via telephone or email
    Set up
    • Sole trader registration
    • VAT registration
    • PAYE registration
    • Support with opening a bank account
    Other benefits
    • Monthly newsletter & tax tips
    • Financial planning review
  • Perfect for the first time contractor on lower day rates
    Starter
    * Below £150K turnover
    Following enquiries are covered
    • Corporation tax self-assessment
    • Income tax self-assessment
    • PAYE and P11D
    • Capital gains tax
    • National insurance
    • Construction industry scheme
    • IR35
    • Inheritance tax
    • VAT
    • National Minimum Wage
    • Gift Aid Legislation and Regulations
    • Stamp Duty (Including Land Tax)
    * Exclusions
    • Fraud
    • Deliberate omissions
    • Criminal prosecutions
    • Tax, fines, penalties & interest due
    • Tax avoidance schemes
    • Enquiries commencing outside of the period of service
  • Our most popular package, perfect for most contactors
    Standard
    * Between £150K to £500K turnover
    Following enquiries are covered
    • Corporation tax self-assessment
    • Income tax self-assessment
    • PAYE and P11D
    • Capital gains tax
    • National insurance
    • Construction industry scheme
    • IR35
    • Inheritance tax
    • VAT
    • National Minimum Wage
    • Gift Aid Legislation and Regulations
    • Stamp Duty (Including Land Tax)
    * Exclusions
    • Fraud
    • Deliberate omissions
    • Criminal prosecutions
    • Tax, fines, penalties & interest due
    • Tax avoidance schemes
    • Enquiries commencing outside of the period of service
  • For those contractors who want to get the maximum service from us
    Premium
    * Above £500K turnover
    Following enquiries are covered
    • Corporation tax self-assessment
    • Income tax self-assessment
    • PAYE and P11D
    • Capital gains tax
    • National insurance
    • Construction industry scheme
    • IR35
    • Inheritance tax
    • VAT
    • National Minimum Wage
    • Gift Aid Legislation and Regulations
    • Stamp Duty (Including Land Tax)
    * Exclusions
    • Fraud
    • Deliberate omissions
    • Criminal prosecutions
    • Tax, fines, penalties & interest due
    • Tax avoidance schemes
    • Enquiries commencing outside of the period of service
  • Perfect for the first time contractor on lower day rates
    Standard
    Services covered under registered office address
    • Registered office / correspondence address as dns head office
    • Email forwarding only / scanning letter
    • Hardcopy post to be collected from office
    • Dedicated reception to post letters and scanning
    • Dedicated landline with reception to answer calls on behalf of your company
  • Our most popular package, perfect for most contactors
    Premium
    Services covered under registered office address
    • Registered office / correspondence address as dns head office
    • Email forwarding only / scanning letter
    • Hardcopy post to be collected from office
    • Dedicated reception to post letters and scanning
    • Dedicated landline with reception to answer calls on behalf of your company
  • For those contractors who want to get the maximum service from us
    Premium Plus
    Services covered under registered office address
    • Registered office / correspondence address as dns head office
    • Email forwarding only / scanning letter
    • Hardcopy post to be collected from office
    • Dedicated reception to post letters and scanning
    • Dedicated landline with reception to answer calls on behalf of your company
  • Our most popular package, perfect for most businesses
    Standard
    Self assessment services
    • Tax return submission
    • Dividend / PAYE wages
    • One Bank Account Interest
    • Pension contributions
    • One rental property
    • SATR mobile app / cloud based software
    • DD sign ups only
    • Designated accounts manager
    • Free tax review (15 mins)
  • For those who want to get the maximum service from us
    Premium
    Self assessment services
    • Tax return submission
    • Dividend / PAYE wages
    • One Bank Account Interest
    • Pension contributions
    • One rental property
    • SATR mobile app / cloud based software
    • DD Sign Ups ONLY
    • Designated accounts manager
    • Free tax review (15 mins)
  • Our most popular package, perfect for limited company landlords
    Standard
    Tax and Accountancy
    • Up to 240 yearly transactions support / Bookkeeping
    • Up to 2 properties
    • Company year-end accounts
    • Corporation tax return
    • Year-end tax review meeting
    • Annual tax on enveloped dwellings (ATED) returns
    • 15 Minute consultation on any property tax related issue
    • 1 / Standard self-assessment tax return
    Online Accountancy Software
    • Nomisma cloud based real time accounting software
    • Automated invoicing and financial control
    • Track your expenses & store receipts via mobile app
    • Generate dividend vouchers
    • Full training and support
    Dedicated Account Manager
    • Face-to-face meeting during business hours
    • Single point of contact
    • Reference letter for lenders & visas
    • Unlimited support via telephone or email
    Company Secretarial
    • Confirmation statement
    • Registered office
    Company Setup
    • Company formation
    • VAT registration
    • PAYE registration
    • Support with opening a bank account
    Other Benefits
    • Monthly newsletter and tax tips
    • Monthly compliance report
    • Financial planning review
  • For those who want to get the maximum service from us
    Premium
    Tax and Accountancy
    • Up to 600 yearly transactions support / Bookkeeping
    • Up to 3 properties
    • Company year-end accounts
    • Corporation tax return
    • Year-end tax review meeting
    • Annual tax on enveloped dwellings (ATED) returns
    • 15 Minute consultation on any property tax related issue
    • 2 / Standard self-assessment tax return
    Online Accountancy Software
    • Nomisma cloud based real time accounting software
    • Automated invoicing and financial control
    • Track your expenses & store receipts via mobile app
    • Generate dividend vouchers
    • Full training and support
    Dedicated Account Manager
    • Face-to-face meeting during business hours
    • Single point of contact
    • Reference letter for lenders & visas
    • Unlimited support via telephone or email
    Company Secretarial
    • Confirmation statement
    • Registered office
    Company Setup
    • Company formation
    • VAT registration
    • PAYE registration
    • Support with opening a bank account
    Other Benefits
    • Monthly newsletter and tax tips
    • Monthly compliance report
    • Financial planning review
  • Our most popular package, perfect for most businesses
    Standard
    • Company formation with Company House
    • Share Certificate
    • Articles of Association
    • Memorandum of Association
    • Certificate of Incorporation
    • Business Bank Account
    • VAT Registration
    • PAYE Registration
  • Perfect for the first time contractor on lower day rates
    Starter
    Tax and accountancy
    • Self assessment Tax return filing with HMRC*
    • Capital Gains tax computation
    • Income from mining, staking, airdrops
    • Tax Breakdown and computation
    • Single point of contact
    • Newsletter and tax tips
    • Apply for UTR number
    • Initial Advisory Meeting with Tax advisor (30 minutes)
    • up to 10,000 transactions / Bookkeeping and Software
    • Computation of Trading profits
    • Reconcile / Verify the Transactions
    • Review data from other Exchanges and Platform
  • Our most popular package, perfect for most contactors
    Standard
    Tax and accountancy
    • Self assessment Tax return filing with HMRC*
    • Capital Gains tax computation
    • Income from mining, staking, airdrops
    • Tax Breakdown and computation
    • Single point of contact
    • Newsletter and tax tips
    • Apply for UTR number
    • Initial Advisory Meeting with Tax advisor (30 minutes)
    • up to 10,000 transactions / Bookkeeping and Software
    • Computation of Trading profits
    • Reconcile / Verify the Transactions
    • Review data from other Exchanges and Platform
  • For those contractors who want to get the maximum service from us
    Premium
    Tax and accountancy
    • Self assessment Tax return filing with HMRC*
    • Capital Gains tax computation
    • Income from mining, staking, airdrops
    • Tax Breakdown and computation
    • Single point of contact
    • Newsletter and tax tips
    • Apply for UTR number
    • Initial Advisory Meeting with Tax advisor (30 minutes)
    • up to 20,000 transactions / Bookkeeping and Software
    • Computation of Trading profits
    • Reconcile / Verify the Transactions
    • Review data from other Exchanges and Platform
DNS-Accountants

Sign up in 3 easy steps

Signing up or making the switch to dns accountants is simple. We make it
as quick and easy as possible.

DNS-Accountants

Frequently asked questions for contractor accountants

Got questions?

  • dns will maximise your income by minimising your taxes;
  • dns will protect you and ensure you comply with IR35 legislation;
  • dns operates “100% satisfaction guarantee” which means you do not pay if you are not satisfied.

As a contractor it is imperative you are aware of IR35 legislation, what it entails and the risks involved. Even if you are relatively new to contracting, you should not ignore IR35, as it affects everyone in the contracting business. In a Nutshell, IR35 legislation tries to tax your company income as employment income meaning that all the tax advantages gained are almost lost.

IR35 affects contractors working through a limited company. The Intermediaries Legislation (IR35) came into force in April 2000 and was designed to deal with “disguised employees”, individuals that the government believed were taking advantage of corporate structures when they should have been taxed under employment as any other employee. The rules only apply to "relevant engagements", that is, where an individual provides services to a client through an intermediary (a limited company) and, but for the existence of the intermediary, the income would be treated as that of an employee if the individual had contracted directly with the client.

All the income earned is treated as employment income and therefore the tax advantage is lost. It was intended that IR35 legislation would ensure compliance with tax law so that apart from specified deductions, all money received by the intermediary in respect of relevant engagements would subject the individual to Schedule E Income Tax and Class 1 National Insurance, thus all dividend payments and many business expenses were not allowed.

To determine whether you are inside IR35 or outside IR35 there are three main tests to establish employment status:

  • Control: A worker is not an employee unless there is a right to exercise control over the worker. This could be a right to control what work is done, where or when it is done or how it is done. The right of control is what is important and not the actual control.
  • The right to get a substitute or assistant to do the job: personal service is an essential element of an employment contract. A self-employed person has the freedom to choose whether to do the job himself or hire someone else to do it for him; he may hire someone else to provide substantial help.
  • Mutuality of obligation: There should be various mutual obligations within the contract. The obligation to perform and be paid for performing would form part of any contract – but the mutual obligations needed for a contract of employment consist of more that this, there needs to be obligation to offer, and an obligation to accept, future work.

there are many other factors:

  • Financial risk: There must be real risk of financial loss. For example, an individual who risks his own money by investing in assets needed for the job and pays their own running costs and overheads is most probably self-employed. Financial risk could also take the form of working on a fixed-price for a job for example, with the risk of bearing the additional costs if the job overruns. However, this will not necessarily mean that the worker is self-employed unless it is clear there is real risk of financial loss.
  • Right of dismissal: In a service contract there is no right to terminate an engagement by giving notice of a specified length, which is a common feature of an employment contract. A service contract usually ends when the task is complete or if the terms of the contract are breached.
  • Provision of equipment: the self-employed contractor generally provides all the equipment required for the job. The provision of significant equipment or materials that are fundamental to the engagement is of particular importance. For example, an IT consultant is engaged to undertake a specific project and works exclusively at home using his or her own computer equipment; this will be a strong indicator of self-employed status. But a worker who is provided with office space and computer equipment suggests employment, even if the worker occasionally uses his own computer at home.
  • Basis of payment: Independent contractors tend to be paid a fixed sum for a particular job. Employees, on the other hand, are paid a fixed wage or salary weekly or monthly and often qualify for additional payments such as overtime, a long-service bonus or profit share.
  • Intention: The reality of the relationship matters. It is not enough to call a person “self-employed” if all the terms and conditions of the engagement point towards employment. However, if other factors are neutral, the intentions of the parties will then be the deciding factor in employment status.
  • Profit from sound management: A person whose profit or loss depends on his capacity to reduce overheads and organise his work effectively may well be self-employed. People who are paid by the job will often be in this position.
  • Part and parcel of the organisation: Establishing whether a person becomes “part and parcel” of a client’s organisation can be a useful indicator in some situations. For example, someone taken on to manage the client’s staff will normally be seen as part and parcel of the client’s organisation and is, therefore, likely to be seen as an employee.
  • Length of engagement: Long periods working for one client may be typical of employment, but will not stand up as conclusive evidence. It is still necessary to consider all the terms and conditions of each engagement. Regularly working for the same client may indicate that there is a single and continuing contract of employment.
  • Employee benefits: Employees are often entitled to sick pay, holiday pay, pensions and expenses. The absence of these benefits does not necessarily mean that the worker is self-employed – especially in the case of short-term engagements – where such payments would not normally feature.

When the facts have been established it is appropriate to look at the overall picture: whether it indicates a person in business or one working as an employee. if the evidence is evenly balanced the intention of the parties may then decide the issue.

Having looked at a number of standard agency contracts hmrc has, as expected, suggested that such contracts fail ir35. hmrc will consider only whether specific contracts fail the test and will not give any clearance on standard contracts.

The conclusion, bearing in mind all that is written above, is that if you sign a standard agency contract you are likely to fail ir35 even if you have the contract reworded. hmrc will look at the facts behind the contract. so be warned and beware. Also have information regarding what expenses you can claim when inside ir35.

Being an employee, director and shareholder of your own company you get paid three elements on a monthly basis.

  • As an employee you get paid wages.
  • As a director your claim expenses from the company.
  • As a Shareholder you take dividends from the company.
  • So if you use the DNS online portal you get paid monthly wages, expenses and dividends.
  • Obviously, these payments are made over to you after putting aside money for tax in the company accounts.

Some common expenses include the following, but remember you must keep all receipts and have all of them to hand for audit if necessary:

  • Company formation
  • Accountancy fees
  • Business travel and accommodation
  • Postage for business
  • Stationery for business
  • Business telephone calls
  • Mobile telephone and calls
  • Salaries
  • Employer’s NI contributions
  • Contributions to an executive pension plan
  • Business entertainment
  • Equipment purchased for business purposes
  • Motoring expenses using fixed-rate allowances
  • Computer software
  • Technical books and journals
  • Certain professional subscriptions
  • Use of home as office
  • Company bank charges and interest
  • Using Umbrella
  • Already a Contractor Using Limited Company

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