UNDERSTAND YOUR NUMBERS

IR35 Day Rate Comparison

Compare contract rates consistently and find rates replacing the same permanent package.

Tax year 2026/27 · Last verified · Methodology · Official sources

Choose your basis

Cash meets spending needs; cash plus pension includes retirement value; economic value adds benefits and reserves.

Include gaps

Lower expected billable days increase the rate needed to meet an annual target.

Status first

Use the engagement's determined status before assessing finances. Do not choose status based on preferred results.

Use the relevant calculator

Worked example: £600/day

220 billable days give £132,000 revenue. These figures use the same engine as your comparison.

Inside IR35

£74,423 annual cash

£121,848 cash-equivalent salary

Outside IR35

£78,666 annual cash

£133,093 cash-equivalent salary

Make it yours

England, no loans or other income. Inside: assignment rate, no margin, levy or pension. Outside: £3,000 expenses, Personal Allowance salary, no pension or retained profit. Salary comparison: 5% employee and employer pension.

Compare with your salary

How this calculation works

Revenue is day rate multiplied by billable days. The shared engine applies payroll taxes inside IR35 and company plus personal taxes outside IR35. Equivalent salary and rate solvers match cash, cash plus pension or economic value.

Important assumptions

Annual estimates, England by default, no other income or student loan. Illustrations use £3,000 company expenses, no opening reserves and a 12-month accounting period. Pension, gross benefits and retained profit are not spendable cash.

Choose your basis

Cash meets spending needs; cash plus pension includes retirement value; economic value adds benefits and reserves.

Include gaps

Lower expected billable days increase the rate needed to meet an annual target.

Status first

Use the engagement's determined status before assessing finances. Do not choose status based on preferred results.

Frequently asked questions

Is revenue the same as take-home?

No. Employment costs, expenses and taxes can apply before money reaches you. Pension and retained profit are separate.

Can this decide IR35 status?

ContractorMoney.co.uk does not determine IR35 employment status. We model financial consequences after you select a status.

Sources and review

Tax year 2026/27 · Last verified · Methodology · Official sources

ContractorMoney.co.uk does not determine IR35 employment status. Use HMRC's official status guidance. Estimates only, not tax, financial, legal, accounting or investment advice. Read the limitations.

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