UK Recruitment Glossary
Umbrella Company
In recruiter context
Common for inside-IR35 contracts. The umbrella employs you, pays your tax and NI, takes a fee, and you appear as their employee for HMRC purposes. Compliant umbrella companies are fine; non-compliant ones ("loan schemes", offshore arrangements) leave contractors with HMRC tax bills years later. Always check the umbrella is FCSA-accredited or equivalent before signing.
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