Tax, IR35, and Payments: Key Freelance Changes in 2026

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Several regulatory shifts will impact UK freelancers next year. Highlights include:

State Pensions: Rising to £12,548, meaning some semi-retired freelancers may start paying income tax on combined earnings.

IR35 Changes: From April 2026, recruitment agencies will handle PAYE and NI deductions, increasing oversight and paperwork.

Making Tax Digital: Sole traders earning over £50K will submit quarterly digital updates, requiring accurate bookkeeping.

Late Payments: Crackdowns on slow-paying clients will increase transparency and enforcement.

Tip: Plan early for tax and pension strategies, organise contracts, and adopt MTD-ready accounting software to stay compliant and protect cash flow.

[cryptoenthusiast]

Tax regulation are still bad