10/09/2026
🧾 National Payroll Week: Self-Employed or Employee? Don't Let HMRC Decide for You!
It's National Payroll Week, so we thought it was the perfect time to talk about a topic that's causing confusion for many growing businesses:
"Can I use a self-employed contractor instead of employing someone?"
A client recently came to us with exactly this question. They had done their research and wanted to ensure they were setting up the arrangement correctly from the start. It sparked a great discussion and inspired our latest blog.
Many business owners assume that if someone invoices them, they're automatically self-employed. Unfortunately, HMRC doesn't always see it that way!
In our latest blog, we cover:
✅ The difference between a genuine self-employed contractor and an employee
✅ The warning signs HMRC looks for
✅ The costly consequences of getting it wrong
✅ Why a contractor agreement is essential
✅ How to use HMRC's CEST tool (and why it can be more confusing than helpful!)
✅ What to review as your business grows
Whether you're taking on your first worker or expanding your team, this is a must-read.
📖 Read the blog here: https://www.cashtrak.co.uk/blog/post/27121/hiring-a-self-employed-contractor-dont-make-this-costly-mistake/
Need guidance specific to your business?
We're proud to have the Institute of Certified Bookkeepers' first-ever Payroll Professional of the Year, Lorraine, on our team, providing expert guidance on payroll, employment status, pensions and employer responsibilities.
One of our clients recently contacted us for guidance about bringing someone into their growing business on a self-employed basis, with the intention of potentially offering employment in the future i
