Chancellor [CHANCELLOR NAME] delivered the Autumn Budget on 28 October 2026. This page covers everything announced that affects UK contractors, freelancers, limited company directors and sole traders — updated as the detail becomes clear.
If a rate you use has changed, the ClearFigures calculators will be updated to reflect it. Check the "Last updated" date on each calculator page.
The headline numbers for contractors
[FILL IN ON BUDGET NIGHT — 2-3 sentence summary of the most significant announcements for the contractor/freelancer audience. If nothing significant — say so plainly.]
Income tax thresholds
[FILL IN: Any changes to personal allowance, basic rate limit, higher rate threshold, additional rate threshold or the freeze timeline. If unchanged, write: "Income tax thresholds are unchanged for 2026/27. The personal allowance remains frozen at £12,570."]
Calculate your income tax bill for 2026/27.
Use the self-assessment calculator →National Insurance
[FILL IN: Any changes to employee NI rates or thresholds, employer NI rate or secondary threshold, self-employed Class 4 rates. Note: the employer NI secondary threshold dropping to £5,000 in April 2025 already happened — only note further changes. If unchanged, write: "National Insurance rates and thresholds are unchanged."]
Dividend tax
[FILL IN: Any changes to dividend tax rates or the £500 allowance. If unchanged, write: "Dividend tax rates are unchanged. The basic rate remains 10.75%, higher rate 35.75% and additional rate 39.35%. The dividend allowance stays at £500."]
Calculate your dividend tax and optimal salary split.
Use the dividend calculator →Corporation tax
[FILL IN: Any changes to corporation tax rates or thresholds. If unchanged, write: "Corporation tax rates are unchanged. The small profits rate remains 19% on profits up to £50,000 and the main rate 25% above £250,000."]
Compare take-home as a limited company vs sole trader.
Use the Ltd vs Sole Trader calculator →Capital Gains Tax
[FILL IN: Any changes to CGT rates or the annual exempt amount. If unchanged, write: "Capital Gains Tax rates are unchanged at 18% (basic rate) and 24% (higher rate). The annual exempt amount remains £3,000."]
IR35 and off-payroll working
[FILL IN: Any changes to IR35 rules, off-payroll working legislation or the CEST tool. This is a high-interest topic for contractors. If unchanged, write: "No changes to IR35 or off-payroll working rules were announced."]
See how IR35 status affects your take-home.
Use the IR35 calculator →Making Tax Digital
[FILL IN: Any changes to MTD thresholds, timelines or requirements. Context: the £30,000 threshold from April 2027 and £20,000 from April 2028 were already announced — note only further changes. If unchanged, write: "No changes to Making Tax Digital timelines were announced. The April 2027 expansion to £30,000 income remains on track."]
Check if you need MTD from April 2027.
Use the MTD checker →Mileage rates
[FILL IN: Any changes to HMRC approved mileage rates. Context: the rate increased from 45p to 55p in May 2026 — note only further changes. If unchanged, write: "No changes to HMRC approved mileage rates. The car and van rate remains 55p per mile for the first 10,000 business miles."]
Calculate your mileage reimbursement.
Use the mileage calculator →VAT
[FILL IN: Any changes to VAT rates or the registration threshold. If unchanged, write: "The VAT registration threshold remains at £90,000. Standard VAT rate unchanged at 20%."]
Calculate VAT on your invoices.
Use the VAT calculator →What limited company directors should do now
[FILL IN ON BUDGET NIGHT: 3-4 specific actionable points based on what was actually announced. Examples if rates change: "Review your salary and dividend split", "Run the updated dividend calculator", "Check whether incorporation is still worth it at your income level." If nothing changed: "No immediate action required — rates and thresholds are unchanged for the current tax year."]
What sole traders should do now
[FILL IN ON BUDGET NIGHT: Same as above but for sole traders. Link to self-assessment calculator and MTD checker.]