£550 a day: take-home inside and outside IR35 (2026/27)
Where the money goes at £550 a day
| 220 days | Inside | Outside |
|---|---|---|
| Contract income | £121,000 | £121,000 |
| Umbrella margin | £1,300 | £0 |
| Employer NI and levy | £15,414 | £1,136 |
| Corporation tax | £0 | £24,683 |
| Income Tax and employee NI | £34,100 | £0 |
| Dividend tax | £0 | £20,055 |
| Take-home | £70,186 | £75,127 |
| Per month | £5,849 | £6,261 |
| Share of income | 58% | 62% |
Inside IR35 the umbrella pays 15% employer NI above £5,000 and the 0.5% apprenticeship levy from the assignment rate, then runs PAYE on gross pay of £104,286. Outside IR35 the company pays you a £12,570 salary and the rest as dividends after corporation tax. In Scotland the figures are £66,565 inside and £75,127 outside.
By days worked
| Days a year | Inside | Outside |
|---|---|---|
| 180 | £59,996 | £64,737 |
| 200 | £65,519 | £69,932 |
| 220 | £70,186 | £75,127 |
| 230 | £71,996 | £77,724 |
Assumptions: umbrella margin of £25 a week, no business expenses, no pension contributions, no student loan and no other income. Change any of them in the IR35 calculator.
Other day rates
Frequently asked questions
How much do I take home on £550 a day inside IR35?
About £70,186 a year, or £5,849 a month, for 220 days through an umbrella company in England.
And outside IR35?
About £75,127 a year through your own limited company with a £12,570 salary and dividends, before accountancy and other company costs.
Who decides whether I am inside IR35?
A medium or large client decides and should give you a status determination statement. For a small private client, your own company decides.
Calculated with 2026/27 rates: employer NI 15% above £5,000, apprenticeship levy 0.5%, Income Tax and NI bands, corporation tax 19% to 25% with marginal relief, dividend tax 10.75% and 35.75%. Updated 2026-11-04. General information, not tax advice.