http://www.contracteye.co.uk How to start up as an IT Contractor en-us The PCG says it is pleased to hear about a recently published Law Commission paper which offers hope to people who have been victim to episodes of incompetence and aggression by HMRC http://www.contracteye.co.uk/pcg_hmrc_incompetence.shtml An IT Contractor was shocked when he returned from holiday in Portugal to face a massive mobile phone bill. http://www.contracteye.co.uk/contractor_mobile_shock.shtml A recent poll of engineering contractors reveals that 63% believe their contract rates will rise over the next year, despite the effects of the predicted economic downturn on other sectors of the economy. http://www.contracteye.co.uk/strong_engineer_demand.shtml Some practical advice for contractors to ensure that they protect themselves from late paying or non-paying clients http://www.contracteye.co.uk/contractor_debt_prevention.shtml If you are seeking longevity in the contracting world, there are several attributes and skills that you will need to have, or acquire, to ensure future success. http://www.contracteye.co.uk/contractor_success.shtml The number of people seeking freelance work is increasing as the cost of living forces individuals across the country to find ways to supplement their income. http://www.contracteye.co.uk/freelance_credit_crunch.shtml Leading IT contractor recruiter, Parity, has predicted a promising 2008 for public sector IT, despite the so-called "credit crunch". http://www.contracteye.co.uk/public_sector_2008.shtml Once you've made the decision to become a contractor, the next step is to find your first contract. You'll need to market yourself to potential clients. http://www.contracteye.co.uk/find_it_contract_work.shtml If you've been asked to buy or recommended to have professional indemnity, but you're still a little unclear about exactly how this insurance works to protect you as an IT contractor, here's a beginners guide. http://www.contracteye.co.uk/professional_indemnity_insurance.shtml The interview is a crucial step in your quest for that next contract and every care should be made to ensure that you impress. http://www.contracteye.co.uk/it_contractor_interview_tips.shtml An overview of IT contractor insurance cover - including professional indemnity insurance, employers' and public liability. http://www.contracteye.co.uk/it_contractor_insurance_overview.shtml How to write the perfect CV. 5 Top tips for penning the perfect IT contractor CV, and a suggested CV layout for freelancers http://www.contracteye.co.uk/it_contractor_cv.shtml According to a leading tech website, a major city bank has asked its IT contractors to take a 10% rate cut or a quick exit from the company. Another bank imposes an 11% cut on its contractor workforce. http://www.contracteye.co.uk/banks_contractor_rate_cuts.shtml An introduction to IT Contractor Pensions - Pensions are big news whether inside and outside of IR35 as they represent one of the few remaining tax breaks available to contractors. http://www.contracteye.co.uk/it_contractor_pensions.shtml Fujitsu, a leading contractor behind the planned multi-billion pound NHS linked computer project, has terminated its contract following a disagreement over payment. http://www.contracteye.co.uk/fujitsu_contract_terminated.shtml A new survey by a specialist accountancy form shows that 80% of professional contractors surveyed believe they will be "considerably" worse off by the end of the year. http://www.contracteye.co.uk/contractor_credit_crunch_costs.shtml National Insurance guide for IT Contractors, including current NIC rates. http://www.contracteye.co.uk/it_contractor_national_insurance.shtml The PCG has reassured its members that today's Agency Workers announcement will not have any immediate impact on them. http://www.contracteye.co.uk/agency_workers_pcg.shtml The Government has attempted to put right the "10% tax band fiasco" by fiddling with the income tax bands to ensure that high earners do not benefit from an increase in the personal allowance. http://www.contracteye.co.uk/tax_band_changes.shtml A leading IT contractor accountancy firm tells us how accounting practices have been forced to change in the face of shifting tax legislation. http://www.contracteye.co.uk/contractor_accounting_changes.shtml