IR35, MTD & the future of
AI-powered accounting
Guides, updates, and insights from the Nebula Finance team — written for UK Ltd contractors and the accountants who serve them.
The Four Ways UK Compliance Catches Small Businesses
Calendar risk, liability that travels, threshold risk, evidence risk — the four mechanisms behind almost every compliance failure, what changed in 2026, and the five questions to ask whoever handles yours.
Broadbench Launches a Free IR35 Check, Powered by Nebula
Broadbench has launched an IR35 Check on its site, powered by Nebula's IR35 Hub — a free, scored assessment against the five key IR35 tests, with a downloadable, HMRC-defensible audit document.
IR35 for IT Contractors: What You Actually Need to Know in 2026
Why developers and engineers face elevated IR35 risk, how status is decided, what "inside" really costs you, and what HMRC is targeting in 2026 — plus how to keep every determination defensible.
Retained Profits vs Salary: How Your Tax Strategy Impacts Your Mortgage Options
The low-salary-plus-dividends strategy is great for tax — but it can shrink your mortgage. Here's how specialist lenders read retained profits, and why your IR35 status matters before you apply.
Why Your IR35 Status Matters More Than You Think When Applying for a Mortgage
High street lenders routinely understate contractor income. Here's how contract-based underwriting — day-rate annualisation — unlocks your true borrowing potential, inside or outside IR35.
Salary vs Dividends: The Optimal Split for Ltd Contractors (2025/26)
The 2025/26 thresholds, the employer-NI-versus-Corporation-Tax trade-off, dividend rates, and an illustrative worked example for splitting a director's pay.
How Much Tax Should a Ltd Contractor Set Aside? (2025/26)
A simple rule of thumb and worked example for Corporation Tax, VAT and dividend tax — so the deadline is never a surprise.
Contractor Accounting Software vs a Traditional Accountant
A neutral comparison of cost, speed, IR35 depth, control and advice — and when each option wins for a UK Ltd contractor.
The Hidden Financial Risk Every UK Freelancer Ignores (And It Isn't Tax)
Sole traders get no Statutory Sick Pay, and a director's SSP is just £118.75 a week. Here's how income protection, relevant life insurance, and critical illness cover safeguard your income, your family, and your business.
Building the Confidence Layer for UK Small Businesses
Automation reduces admin. But confidence in your numbers requires something more — an audit trail, risk-based escalation, and final owner approval. Here's how Nebula Finance is building that infrastructure.
Nebula Partners With Broadbench to Strengthen Protection for UK Contractors
We've partnered with Broadbench — an FCA-regulated specialist in business protection and director financial planning — to build a fuller financial ecosystem for UK contractors.
The Freelancer's Guide to Making Tax Digital 2026
From April 2026, all self-employed individuals earning over £50,000 must keep digital records and submit quarterly updates to HMRC. Here's everything you need to know — and how Nebula handles it automatically.
How AI Is Transforming Accounting for UK Freelancers
AI isn't replacing accountants — it's replacing the stress. From automated categorisation to real-time tax forecasts, here's how intelligent tools are reshaping financial management in 2026.
Nebula: The AI Accounting App Built for UK Freelancers & Small Businesses
UK freelancers lose 120+ hours a year to financial admin. Nebula was built to give that time back — with AI-powered bookkeeping, automated VAT, and MTD compliance in a single mobile-first platform.