Contract Eye - Information for IT Contractors
Guides to starting up and working as an IT contractor in the UK - from working via an umbrella or limited company, to dealing with accountants, IR35, taxes, regulations, recruitment agents and clients.
Budget 2013 - How are IT Contractors affected? - The Key Points.
Offshore Payroll Companies - HMRC clampdown pending - More Here
First Time Contractor? - Read our guides to becoming a contractor.
Professional Indemnity Insurance - Do you need cover? Read our guide.
Latest Updates
In what sense is your liability limited if you run a company?
One of the most appealing aspects of running a contracting business through a private limited company is the limited liability it provides.
(May 23, 2013)
Contractor site says BBC plans to cull contractor numbers
According to the response to a FOI request from a leading contractor news site, the BBC says that it may reduce the number of limited company contractors on its books.
(May 21, 2013)
How to change umbrella companies
What steps you should take if you want to switch umbrella companies. How to choose a new scheme, and what potential pitfalls you may encounter during the switching process.
(May 20, 2013)
Have you encountered an unscrupulous umbrella company provider?
26 umbrella companies have now signed up to an industry 'best practice charter', and now contractors are being urged to provide their experiences of providers - both good and bad.
(May 16, 2013)
The importance of networking for career IT contractors
With dozens of applicants applying for many IT contract roles, networking has never been more important for career contractors.
(May 13, 2013)
Contractor demand slows as clients more confident to hire permanent staff
April's Report on Jobs suggests that firms may be growing in confidence to hire permanent staff again, as the demand for contract and temp staff slows.
(May 12, 2013)
The 6 simple questions you should have asked your agent
Some important questions you should ask recruitment agencies when applying for contractor roles.
(May 8, 2013)
What to include on an invoice for contract work
What information should limited company contractors include on their invoices?
(May 7, 2013)
How to compare umbrella companies - 15 tips
If you're decided to work via an umbrella company, you will be faced with a bewildering choice of providers. Here are 15 essential tips to help your compare umbrella companies.
(May 2, 2013)
Guide to IT contractor mortgages
IT contractor mortgages - how to get the best deals based on your contract rate. Includes an online mortgage enquiry form.
(May 1, 2013)
5 ways to protect your contracting business assets
Are your freelance business assets properly protected in the event of a loss, or theft? In this article, we explore some of the risks and suggest ideas to reduce your exposure, and minimise the impact if the worst does happen.
(Apr 30, 2013)
How can you find umbrella company reviews?
Before choosing a contractor umbrella company, you are likely to seek feedback and read reviews on companies in your shortlist. But how do you access this information?
(Apr 29, 2013)
Accountants exploit Treasury access to help clients avoid tax
The Public Accounts Committee says that the Treasury should no longer use external accountancy firms - which are hired to help formulate tax policy, but then subsequently advise clients on how to exploit loopholes in tax legislation.
(Apr 26, 2013)
Rise in claims against tax avoidance scheme providers
A City legal services firm says that it has seen a sharp rise in the number of insurance claims being made against the promoters of a number of tax avoidance schemes, some of which were marketed to the contracting community.
(Apr 26, 2013)
Umbrella company 'best practice' charter set up
Umbrella companies are being urged to sign up to a new charter to demonstrate to prospective clients that they operate in a compliant manner.
(Apr 24, 2013)
Demand for IT contractors steady during Q1 2013
Data collected from IT job boards during the first quarter of 2013 shows that the overall demand for IT contractors remains steady across the UK. Another poll predicts a quarterly dip in demand for financial service IT contractors.
(Apr 23, 2013)
Can an umbrella company be 'IR35 compliant', or 'HMRC approved'?
Umbrella companies use a variety of slogans to advertise their services, and to differentiate themselves in a very competitive market. But do any of these claims mean anything?
(Apr 22, 2013)
Shares for rights proposals reinstated by Commons
The controversial 'shares for rights' proposals, whereby employees waive employment rights in return for a share in the business they work for, have been reinstated by the Commons, following rejection by the House of Lords.
(Apr 21, 2013)
Contractor company dividends not at risk following PA Holdings bonus ruling
A leading consultancy firm has decided not to take its employee remuneration case to the Supreme Court, meaning that an earlier Court of Appeal judgement which ruled that 'artificial' dividend payments to employees should be taxed as employment income, stands.
(Apr 18, 2013)
Interim management market set for a buoyant 2013
The demand for interim managers continues to increase, particularly in the private sector, as firms favour short-term hires over the more costly alternative of recruiting permanent senior staff members.
(Apr 18, 2013)
Contracting via a limited company - advantages and disadvantages
We look at the advantages and disadvantages of contracting via a limited company - a tax efficient option for many, however directors do carry a number of statutory and financial obligations.
(Apr 15, 2013)
Start-Up Guide :: 10 contractor success tips
Ten tips for IT contractor success: From having the right skills, to gaining contract renewals, and keeping on the right side of IR35 and the tax man.
(Apr 12, 2013)
Public and employers liability insurance for IT contractors
A guide to Public Liability and Employers Liability insurance cover for IT contractors.
(Apr 11, 2013)
Government departments reminded over security clearance prejudice
The Cabinet Office has reminded Government HR departments that holding current security clearance should not be a prerequisite for contract work applications.
(Apr 10, 2013)
Limited company directors - salary vs. dividends
As a limited company director, what should you bear in mind when working out the most tax efficient split between the salary and dividend amounts you draw down?
(Apr 9, 2013)
How will the income tax threshold changes affect contractors?
The new personal tax year began on 6th April 2013, when a range of new tax rates and allowances took effect. Given the changes in income tax thresholds over the next two years, how will the typical contractor fare?
(Apr 8, 2013)
IR35 extended to include 'office holders'
The Government has officially extended the scope of IR35 to include 'office holders' within the Finance Bill 2013.
(Apr 6, 2013)
Value Added Tax - VAT guide for IT contractors
Value Added Tax guide for IT Contractors. When you should register for VAT, and how to deal with VAT administration.
(Apr 4, 2013)
Business bank charges - are contractors paying too much?
Many limited company contractors receive zero interest on their current account deposits - and derisory amounts of interest on their savings. Does this need to be the case?
(Apr 3, 2013)
How to virtualise your contracting business
How to create a virtual contracting business that can be managed from anywhere in the world with just a laptop and a WiFi connection.
(Apr 2, 2013)
