Sole trader or limited company for locum work
Locums often work as a sole trader or through their own limited company, and the better route depends on how and where you take on work, your income and your plans.
Accountants for Locums, GPs & Healthcare
Medical careers come with a tax position that is anything but simple — mixed NHS and private income, the NHS Pension Scheme, IR35 on agency work and a long list of professional costs. We help locums, GPs, dentists and pharmacists keep it all in order, with a dedicated named accountant, a fixed monthly fee and cloud-first books so you can get on with patients rather than paperwork.
Healthcare & Locums
What's involved
Here's exactly what's involved — and how your own named accountant handles each part for you.
IR35 and off-payroll working in healthcare
IR35 and the off-payroll rules matter a great deal for locums who take work through agencies or directly for the NHS, because they decide whether an engagement is taxed like employment or genuine self-employment.
The NHS Pension Scheme and your superannuation
The NHS Pension Scheme is valuable, but it brings real complexity for practitioners — particularly around superannuation and the tax charges that can arise on the way contributions and growth are treated.
Claiming your professional costs in full
Medical professionals carry a long list of legitimate costs, and missing them means paying more tax than you need to year after year.
Mixed income and GP partnerships
Many practitioners earn from more than one source — salaried NHS work alongside private practice or locum sessions — and pulling it together correctly for tax takes care.
Chartered-standard, cloud-first, easy to switch
We run your books in Xero, QuickBooks or Sage so your numbers are always current, whether you are a single-handed locum or part of a busy practice. Joining us is paperless and usually takes a few days, with your records collected under professional clearance.
What's included
- Sole trader or limited company set up to suit you
- IR35 and off-payroll status reviewed for NHS and agency work
- NHS Pension Scheme and superannuation supported
- Annual allowance and tapering charges checked
- GMC, GDC, indemnity and training costs claimed
- Mixed NHS and private income handled
- Fixed monthly fee with your own accountant
Last reviewed: June 2026. This page is general guidance, not advice — figures relate to the 2025/26 UK tax year and may change. Please get in touch for advice tailored to your circumstances.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
It depends on how you take on work, your income and your plans. Locums commonly use either a sole trader setup or their own limited company, each with trade-offs. We assess your circumstances and recommend the structure that genuinely suits you.
Get started
Ready to work with an accountant who's genuinely on your side?
Book a free, no-obligation consultation and we'll show you exactly how MMR can help — with a clear fixed-fee quote and no pressure.