Lauren Sears

With over 20 years of experience in the accountancy and contracting industry, Lauren has an in-depth understanding of contractors’ tax and accounting needs. She leads the operational management of Dolan Accountancy, an award-winning accounting firm with 25 years of experience. With an exceptional reputation, Dolan Accountancy helps thousands of contractors, freelancers and self-employed professionals, giving expert advice on all topics affecting the sector. At its operational helm, Lauren ensures the business runs efficiently while continually enhancing the service and support provided to contractors.

Contractor limited company pension contributions: how to extract profit tax-efficiently?

‘Going direct’ by paying company profit into a pension can leave a limited company £2,430 better off because it comes ‘off the top.’ Dolan Accountancy's Lauren Sears runs the numbers on one of the most efficient ways to extract funds from a limited company in 2026/27 — that not even tax-efficient salary and otherwise tax-smart dividends can compete with.

4th September, 2026 | Limited Companies

Payments on Account deadline: what contractors must do before July 31st — maybe for the final few times

With HMRC's second Payments on Account (POA) deadline falling this Friday, today is the last realistic day to get your figures to your accountant — even if a live consultation could scrap the entire POA system by 2029.

28th July, 2026 | Limited Companies

Dividends in 2026/27: an expert’s explainer for contractors

How directors can use dividends to take the maximum take-home pay with the minimum tax, at the new HMRC rates of 10.75% and 35.75%.

13th March, 2026

What is a tax-efficient salary for 2026/27 as a limited company director?

Fresh guidance on how much of a wage is optimal for contractors to pay themselves in the new tax year (if minimising money to HMRC matters).

9th March, 2026

Business expenses: What IT contractors can and cannot claim from HMRC

An unpacking of the nuanced world of contractor expenses, including four you think are allowable but aren’t.

30th January, 2026 | Expenses

A remote IT contractor's allowable expenses: 10 must-claims in 2026

Follow and file these 10 that HMRC says qualify to potentially drastically improve your bottom line as a limited company director who works from home.

16th January, 2026

Contractors, don’t fall foul of HMRC’s expenses rules this Christmas party season

What limited company directors feeling festive need to know to make the £150 staff entertainment allowance exempt from tax.

19th December, 2025