Setting up as a contractor / freelancer in Ireland - steps ?

paulacul · 04-02-2026 06:00PM #1

Hi

I work for an Irish company as an employee but have been offered to do some contract work for a UK company, to supplement my income.

I am wondering what steps do I need to take ?

Example - Would I have to register as a sole trader or could I just declare my other income tax to Revenue.

Somebody mentioned that I should start a limited company, however is this not a bit premature considering I have only been offered one contract ?

Any help would be much appreciated on what I would need to do in order to be able to work as a contractor with this company. I find it all very intimidating.

Thanks in Advance

Paula

LambshankRedemption · 04-02-2026 06:15PM

Contact an accountancy firm who specialises in this. I use Icon Accounting. Email them and tell them you will be doing some contracting. They will take care of everything for you. They will handle sending the invoices, calculating your tax and any additional paperwork. For this they charge a service fee, but the service fee comes out of your invoices so there is not upfront cost for you, and its paid out of your taxable income, so is cheaper for you.

Dial Hard · 04-02-2026 07:38PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/2058432150/setting-up-as-a-contractor-freelancer-in-ireland-steps

The first thing you need to do is check your current employment contract, many (if not most) employers will have a clause against what you're proposing.

LambshankRedemption · 04-02-2026 09:03PM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124206236#Comment_124206236

Good thinking Batman, I didn't think of that.

paulacul · 05-02-2026 10:36AM

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124205941#Comment_124205941

Thanks for your advice, I'll look into Icon. Kind regards.

Setting up as a contractor / freelancer in Ireland - steps ?

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