Umbrella PAYE
CIS
PEO
Limited company accounting
Global contracting
Prizm
Making Tax Digital, made simpler
If you’re a sole trader or landlord making over £50,000 a year, keep on top of your quarterly Making Tax Digital submissions and annual Self Assessment through one straightforward platform, backed by Sapphire’s accountancy team.
£1m+Shared directly with contractors
ExcellentTrustpilot rating
100,000+Contractors supported
10,000+Contractor payments processed every week
8consecutive years FCSA accredited
SafeRecReal-time payroll auditing
Contractor support that goes beyond your payslip
Get paid accurately and on time
Your pay is the most important part of our job. We process payments accurately and keep you informed about what you’re receiving and when.
Earn and enjoy bonuses
Stay with Sapphire for the long term and you could earn bonuses through our contractor profit-share programme. We’ve already shared more than £1m with longstanding umbrella contractors since 2024.
Get answers when you need them
Speak to our team by phone, email or WhatsApp – 96% of emails receive a same-day response.
Every aspect of your pay, handled
We’re rated Excellent on Trustpilot and thousands of contractors rely on Sapphire for making sense of their pay. We’re FCSA accredited and every pay run is SafeRec audited, so you can trust that you’re in safe hands.
Enjoy bonuses with Sapphire
Work with Sapphire and you could earn bonuses up to twice a year through our contractor profit-share programme – more than £1 million has already been shared since 2024.
It’s because Sapphire is employee-owned, and has been since 2021. We share success with our team and our longstanding umbrella contractors too: qualifying contractors can receive a bonus alongside their usual pay.
£1m+
paid directly to contractors since 2024
See what you’ll take home
Are you an umbrella contractor? Enter your rate and see an illustration of your expected take-home pay
We’ll show you how the figures work so you can understand what you’re being paid and where your money goes.
And if you want to talk through the calculation, our team is here to help.
Contractor tax, pay and compliance advice
Straightforward guidance on umbrella PAYE, CIS, tax, IR35, Making Tax Digital and the issues that affect your take-home pay.
Audit-ready in 2026: from policy to payment assurance
Budget Update: Key tax and policy changes
Essential tips for optimising your company’s cash flow
Holiday pay and entitlement reforms
Payrolling Benefits
Payroll Errors Can Cost You More Than You Think
MSC Legislation – Keeping you up to date and potential pitfalls!
Frequently asked questions
What does an umbrella company do?
An umbrella company employs you and handles your pay, tax and National Insurance while you work on assignments through a recruitment agency. It runs PAYE payroll, deducts the right amounts and pays you a net salary. No tax returns, no admin. With Sapphire, every pay run is audited in real time by SafeRec. That gives you peace of mind, accurate, compliant pay and a clear breakdown of where your money goes.
What types of contractors does Sapphire support?
Sapphire supports contractors across most sectors and pay structures through five contracting routes:
- Umbrella PAYE for employment and payroll through a recruitment agency
- CIS for self-employed construction contractors
- PEO for agencies who want their workers employed and paid compliantly with a fixed PAYE rate
- Limited Company for contractors running their own business
- Global Contracting for work across 102+ countries
Whichever route fits your assignment, you get FCSA-accredited compliance and support built around how you work.
How do I know which contracting option is right for me?
The right route depends on how you work, where you work and how you want to be paid.
Here’s how the main routes tend to fit:
- Umbrella PAYE suits contractors who want to be employed and paid through an agency with minimal admin
- CIS suits construction contractors working under the Construction Industry Scheme
- Limited Company suits contractors who are outside IR35 and want to run their own business and keep more control
- Global Contracting suits contractors working outside the UK across 102+ countries
If you’re still not sure, Sapphire’s team can talk through your situation and recommend the route that works for you.
How do I get started with Sapphire?
Getting started takes one conversation. Contact Sapphire by WhatsApp, email or phone, tell the team about your assignment and how you want to work, and they’ll match you to the right contracting route and set up your account.
I’m already with Sapphire, where can I get support?
Existing contractors can reach Sapphire’s team by WhatsApp, email or phone for help with pay, tax or accounts. You’ll get responsive support from people who know how contractors work.
You can also explore the intelligence hub for guidance and updates, use the pay calculator to check your figures and take part in the referral scheme to earn rewards when you recommend Sapphire to other contractors.
