Instant answer for €400/day · 220 days
At €400/day (€88,000/year contract revenue), a sole trader nets €58,800/year, versus €53,765/year on PAYE umbrella. That's €5,036/year more (9.4%) as a sole trader.
Sole trader take-home
€58,800
Retention 66.8%
PAYE umbrella take-home
€53,765
Retention 61.1%
Difference
+€5,036
9.4% more as sole trader
Adjust the structure, marital status, pension, or expenses to explore other scenarios
Rate type
220 days = 44 billed weeks, allowing for holiday & downtime
Common day rates:
Reduces income tax base only, not USC
Equipment, travel, training: deducted before all tax
Default €150/month. Deducted from contract revenue before tax.
Annual take-home
€53,765
61.1% retention
Monthly take-home
€4,480
after all tax & deductions
Retention rate
61.1%
Net ÷ gross contract revenue
Permanent equivalent salary
€77,457
PAYE gross for same net take-home
Where the money goes
36.9%
Effective tax rate
Tax + PRSI as % of gross revenue
61.1%
Retention rate
Net take-home as % of gross revenue
€77,457
PAYE equiv. salary
Permanent employee gross for same net
Uses 2026 Irish Revenue rates with blended PRSI (9 months pre-Oct / 3 months post-Oct 2026 uplift). PAYE umbrella: employer PRSI at 11.29% (blended) on earnings above €552/week; Class A employee PRSI at 4.24% (blended) with tapered credit for weekly earnings €352–€424. Sole trader / Director: Class S PRSI at 4.24% (blended), minimum €650 if income ≥ €5,000; USC 11% surcharge applies above €100,000 income. Pension contributions reduce income tax base only, not USC. Assumes single person standard credits unless tax status is changed. This is an estimate only. Consult a qualified Irish contractor accountant before making decisions.
Sole trader
Contract revenue
€88,000
Gross taxable income
€88,000
Income Tax
−€22,400
USC
−€3,071
Class S PRSI
−€3,729
Net take-home
€58,800
PAYE umbrella
Contract revenue
€88,000
Employer PRSI
−€8,743
Umbrella fee
−€1,800
Gross taxable salary
€77,457
Income Tax
−€18,183
USC
−€2,227
Class A PRSI
−€3,282
Net take-home
€53,765
Assumes 220 billable days/year, single person, standard credits, €0 pension and expenses, €150/month umbrella fee. 2026 Revenue rates.
At €400/day over 220 billable days (€88,000 contract revenue), a sole trader takes home €58,800 per year, versus €53,765 per year on PAYE umbrella. That is a difference of €5,036 per year (9.4% more), mainly because sole traders avoid Employer PRSI.
As a sole trader at €400/day: gross taxable income of €88,000, Income Tax of €22,400, USC of €3,071, and Class S PRSI of €3,729. Total deductions: €29,200. Net take-home: €58,800/year (€4,900/month), a retention rate of 66.8%.
On a PAYE umbrella at €400/day: after Employer PRSI of €8,743 and the umbrella fee are deducted from your contract revenue, your gross taxable salary is €77,457. Income Tax of €18,183, USC of €2,227, and Class A PRSI of €3,282 bring net take-home to €53,765/year (€4,480/month), a retention rate of 61.1%.
The umbrella deducts Employer PRSI of €8,743 from your €400/day contract revenue before calculating your gross salary. This is the single biggest reason PAYE umbrella take-home is lower than sole trader at the same day rate: there is no employer, and therefore no Employer PRSI, when you operate as a sole trader.
To take home the same net pay as a sole trader at €400/day (€58,800/year), a permanent PAYE employee would need a gross salary of approximately €88,000. This accounts for the fact that a permanent role has no Employer PRSI or umbrella fee to absorb, but also no business expense deductions.
At €400/day over 220 billable days per year (the standard assumption after leave and gaps between contracts), your gross contract revenue is €88,000. Both the sole trader and PAYE umbrella figures above are based on this annual value.
Sole trader nets more at every day rate because it avoids Employer PRSI, but it comes with more admin: a Form 11 self-assessment return each year, preliminary tax payments, and record-keeping. PAYE umbrella is simpler and gives continuity of employment record for mortgage applications, at the cost of €5,036/year in this scenario. The umbrella director structure sits between the two: try it in the calculator below.
Yes. Pension contributions reduce assessable income before Income Tax and USC for both structures, and the exact effect on the €5,036 gap shown above depends on how much you contribute and your age-related contribution limit. Adjust the pension field in the calculator below to see it recalculated live at €400/day.
Irish Salary Calculator (PAYE employee)
Compare against a permanent employee salary
Day Rate Calculator
Convert a permanent salary to an equivalent day rate
Contractor Mortgage Calculator
See what €400/day means for mortgage affordability
Irish contractor structures: full guide
Sole trader, umbrella director, and limited company compared
Figures use 2026 Revenue.ie rates and assume 220 billable days/year, a single person with standard credits, €0 pension and expenses, and a €150/month umbrella fee. Does not account for the umbrella director structure, VAT, or individual circumstances. Always verify your position with a qualified accountant.
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