Guides · Updated 2026-10-15

ChatGPT prompts for consultants and freelancers (UK)

These prompts help consultants and freelancers with proposals, statements of work, payment chasers and careful wording around off-payroll (IR35). Fill in the [brackets], paste into ChatGPT, Claude or Gemini, and edit before you send. Do not ask an AI tool whether you are inside or outside IR35 — use HMRC's CEST tool and, if needed, an accountant. Rules below were checked on 15 October 2026.

Proposals and scope

1. Proposal from your notes

Turn these notes into a one-page proposal for [client]: objective, scope (bullets), out of scope, timeline, fee ([£amount] fixed / day rate), payment terms ([deposit %], balance on [milestone]), and next step. British spelling, plain English. Notes: [paste]. Don't invent case studies or results.

2. Statement of work change request

Write a short change-request note for [client] describing extra work they asked for ([description]), estimated extra days or fee ([figure]), and that I'll start once they confirm by email. Calm, British spelling, under 120 words.

3. Discovery-call agenda

Write a 30-minute discovery-call agenda for a possible [type of project] with [client type]. Five questions I should ask, plus what I'll share about how I work. No salesy script, British spelling.

Contracts and IR35 (overview only)

4. Plain-English contract summary for the client

Summarise this draft contract in plain English for the client in under 200 words: parties, services, fees, IP, notice period, and liability cap as written. Don't add clauses that aren't there. Text: [paste].

This is a reading aid, not legal advice. Have important contracts checked by a solicitor.

5. Questions to gather before using CEST

Make a checklist of facts I need before I use HMRC's Check Employment Status for Tax (CEST) tool for an engagement: contract terms, who decides what/when/where/how, substitution, pay arrangements, and benefits. Short bullets, British spelling. Don't predict the CEST result.

Anyone can use CEST to check whether off-payroll working (IR35) rules apply to an engagement. HMRC says it will stand by results given by the tool if your information stays accurate and matches their guidance (GOV.UK: CEST).

6. Neutral note when a client asks about IR35

Write a short, neutral reply to a client who asked whether I fall inside IR35. Say that status depends on the engagement, that medium and large clients may need to determine status and issue a Status Determination Statement, that small private-sector clients usually leave the determination to the worker's intermediary, and that I'll work with their process and use HMRC's CEST tool rather than guess. Don't claim I'm inside or outside. British spelling, under 150 words.

Off-payroll rules make sure a worker providing services through their own intermediary pays broadly the same Income Tax and NI as an employee would if they were employed directly. Medium and large private-sector clients (and all public authorities) may need to determine status; small private-sector clients generally do not determine status themselves but must confirm their size if asked (GOV.UK: off-payroll working for clients). This prompt must not be used to give a status ruling.

Getting paid

7. Friendly payment reminder

Write a polite payment reminder for invoice [number] dated [date] for £[amount], due [date], now [days] overdue. Include bank details placeholder and offer to resend the PDF. British spelling, under 100 words.

8. Firmer late-payment chase (B2B)

Write a firmer chase for the same invoice, mentioning that statutory interest and a fixed recovery sum may apply to qualifying late business-to-business debts under UK late payment law, and that I'd rather settle without that. Don't invent the interest figure — I'll calculate it separately. British spelling, under 120 words.

Use the late payment interest calculator for the figures, and see how to chase a late payment.

9. Payment terms block for proposals

Write a clear payment-terms block: deposit [x%] to start, stage invoices at [milestones], final invoice on [delivery], payment due within [days] days, late business payments may attract statutory interest. British spelling, under 100 words.

Positioning

10. LinkedIn about section

Write a LinkedIn About section for me: [name], [discipline] consultant helping [who] with [outcomes]. Based in [area, UK]. Tone: plain and specific, no buzzword stuffing, British spelling, under 180 words. Facts: [paste only real facts].

Before you send anything

• Never let an AI tool decide IR35 status.
• Don't invent clients, results or certifications.
• For company vs sole trader take-home, use the sole trader vs limited company calculator.

FAQ

Can ChatGPT tell me if I'm inside IR35?

No. Use CEST and professional advice. Status depends on the engagement.

Who determines IR35 for private-sector work?

Medium and large clients generally determine status and issue a Status Determination Statement; small private-sector clients usually do not, but must confirm size if asked (GOV.UK off-payroll guidance).