Latest IT Contractor Updates

IT Contracting on a UK Work Visa - Advice
This article looks at the 4 most common work visas for expat professionals and the contracting options (Umbrella Company or Contractor Limited Company) available with each. [Published on Apr 30, 2008 in Starting Out ]

Reader's Question - Is it a good time to enter the IT Contracting world?
We recently received an email from a permie who is considering going contracting. He was concerned about the state of the IT Contracting market and if he should leave his current job before searching for contracts. [Published on Apr 29, 2008 in News ]

Income Shifting - Government plans to revive proposals
According to a contractor news site, The Treasury is working to revive its proposals on income shifting, which would limit the ability for small businesses to share dividend income among spouses or partners. [Published on Apr 28, 2008 in Income Shifting ]

Over 7,500 sign petition against income shifting proposals
The online petition against income shifting (or the "family business tax") has closed, having collected over 7,500 signatures. [Published on Apr 25, 2008 in Income Shifting ]

Some contractor umbrella companies misleading over expense dispensations
Contractor umbrella company operators who imply they can secure higher than normal expense dispensations are misleading contractors, says a industry expert. [Published on Apr 23, 2008 in Umbrella Company ]

Contract Renewals - Should you ask for a contract rate increase?
Once you have been in a contract for a while, you may be offered a IT contract extension. How to tell if this is a good time to negotiate a contract rate increase. [Published on Apr 22, 2008 in Work ]

IT Contractors vs. Permies - How to avoid conflict
Some irreverent tips to help new IT Contractors get on with their permanent colleagues. [Published on Apr 21, 2008 in Work ]

IR35 Insurance - tax investigation cover overview
IT Contractors may wish to take out IR35 and/or general tax investigation insurance to cover them in the event of a status challenge by HMRC. [Published on Apr 17, 2008 in IR35 ]

IT Contractor rates remain static in final quarter of 2007
IT contract rates remained static during the final quarter of 2007, although there were apparent changes within regions and skill-sets [Published on Apr 17, 2008 in Work ]

IT bosses cutting back on contractors
A recent poll suggests that the "credit crunch" has made IT contractors a less attractive option than permies, as IT chiefs are forced to reign back on spending. [Published on Apr 16, 2008 in News ]

Remote workers far more likely to visit "inappropriate websites"
New research has confirmed what most people knew anyway - that many "remote workers" are visiting smutty websites using company laptops. [Published on Apr 16, 2008 in News ]

Joy for contractors as Self Assessment form-filling to become less of an ordeal
Good news for any IT Contractors who fill in their own Self Assessment forms each year - the process is set to become a lot easier following a revamp of the current form. [Published on Apr 14, 2008 in IT Contractor Tax ]

Culture of "bullying" within IT Industry
Computer Weekly recently ran a story on bullying within the workplace. According to the article, bullying can often start where IT managers do not know much about the technology in use on their projects. [Published on Apr 14, 2008 in News ]

Engineering contractor rates set to rise due to high demand
Hourly rates for engineering contractors are expected to rise in 2008 due to the buoyant demand for their skills, according to a recent poll. [Published on Apr 10, 2008 in News ]

Limited Company Contractors no longer need to appoint a Company Secretary
From 6th April 2008, the appointment of a company secretary is now an optional requirement, following changes contained in the Companies Act 2006. [Published on Apr 7, 2008 in Limited Company ]

IT Contractors to be excluded from Agency Workers Bill
The Agency Workers Bill, which will give agency workers equal rights as full-time employers, is unlikely to include IT Contractors, according to a leading recruitment body. [Published on Apr 7, 2008 in News ]

More IT Contractors 'on the bench', but joblessness remains low
New research suggests that the number of IT Contractors 'on the bench' has begun to rise as the 'credit crunch' begins to hit home, but contractor unemployment remains very low. [Published on Apr 4, 2008 in News ]

Agencies acting as "shock absorbers" in uncertain jobs market
New research shows that recruitment agencies seem to be weathering the uncertainty caused by the "credit crisis" without any real problems. [Published on Apr 3, 2008 in News ]

What is an IT contractor umbrella company?
What are contractor umbrella companies, how they operate, and how to go about choosing a reputable umbrella company. [Published on Apr 2, 2008 in Umbrella Company ]

Contractor Umbrella Company Listings
An alphabetical listing of many of the UK's leading contractor umbrella companies. [Published on Apr 1, 2008 in Umbrella Company ]

---

IT Contracting Guides Before You Start Finding IT Contract Work IT Contract Negotiations Limited or Umbrella? Tax and Accounting IR35 and Section 660 Insurance, Banking, etc. Company Set Up Limited Company Umbrella Company Limited or Umbrella? Managed Service Companies Companies House IT Contract Work Find IT Contract Work Write a Contractor CV Contractor Interviews Recruitment Agencies Invoicing Clients How Much Will You Earn? IT Contractor Insurance Professional Indemnity Liability Insurance IT Contractor Insurance		IT Contractor Tax Self Assessment Accounting Dates Contractor Expenses Contractor Accountants Tax Rates 2007-8 Guide to VAT Flat Rate VAT Scheme Key Payroll Forms National Insurance IT Contractor Finances IT Contractor Mortgages Health Insurance (PHI) IT Contractor Pensions Late Payment Guide Mortgage Calculator Contractor Bank Accounts IR35 What is IR35? Employment Status Impact of IR35 Section 660 Section 660 Guide Arctic Systems Impact Arctic Systems at Lords

 

---

IT Contractor Guides

What is IR35?
Income Shifting
The Cost of IR35
Contractor Insurance
Umbrella Companies
Start Up Guides
MSC Legislation
Write a Contractor CV
Finding IT Contracts
Umbrella Company Guide
Limited Companies
Contractor Mortgage
IT Contractor Banking