Further Contract Eye Updates
Start-Up Guide :: Risks and rewards of IT contracting
What are the risks and rewards of becoming an IT contractor - the potential to earn more money and freedom versus risk.
(Aug 26, 2010 in Start-Up Guides )
Group urges HMRC to keep up pressure on non-compliant contractor service providers
The FCSA has welcomed HMRC's moves to be more flexible in resolving tax disputes, but urges more attention to be paid to non-compliant contractor service providers.
(Aug 23, 2010 in News )
Contractors warned to be vigilant over HMRC tax probes
The PCG has warned contractors to continue being vigilant over IR35 as HMRC appears to be adopting a more devious approach to tax enquiries.
(Aug 23, 2010 in News )
Volatile recruitment market for financial services contractors
Financial sector recruitment is continuing to grow, according to a recent report, although the summer has seen a slip in offers made to IT contractors within the sector.
(Aug 18, 2010 in Market Reports )
IR35 Review - what are the facts?
Kate Cottrell takes a look at the terms of reference for the long awaited review of IR35, and explains why IR35 cannot simply be reviewed in isolation.
(Aug 17, 2010 in IR35 )
PCG announces inaugural freelance lecture
The PCG is to hold its first freelance lecture in London this November, supported by the Telegraph Media Group.
(Aug 12, 2010 in News )
Security cleared roles should be open to all contractors
The Government has released further security clearance guidance which aims to reiterate that contractors should not have to hold existing clearance in order to apply for sensitive roles.
(Aug 11, 2010 in News )
IR35 Review boss explains why abolition hopes may be premature
In a recent interview, the new tax director of the Office of Tax Simplification, explains why IR35 can't simply be 'abolished' in isolation.
(Aug 9, 2010 in IR35 )
Umbrella company National Minimum Wage loophole to be closed
The Government is set to make changes to existing legislation to prevent a minority of umbrella scheme providers from exploiting the National Minimum Wage rules.
(Aug 4, 2010 in Umbrella Companies )
New legislation archive gives access all UK laws since 1267
A new website has been launched which brings together every law created since 1267 - providing access to a staggering 6.5 million documents.
(Aug 4, 2010 in News )
Limited company directors warned over illegal dividends
A leading accountant claims that there has been a significant rise in the number of limited company directors who have distributed dividends illegally in recent months.
(Aug 2, 2010 in Tax )
Job site reports increased number of contract roles advertised
A recent IT skills reports shows that the sector continues to climb out of recession, with contract roles continuing to increase.
(Jul 29, 2010 in News )
IR35 irony as HMRC's ex-IT boss becomes short term contractor
The Sunday Times has revealed that HMRC's IT chief left his permanent role in June 2009, only to return as a contractor via his own limited company for the following three months.
(Jul 27, 2010 in IR35 )
IT contractor recruitment via agencies
We look at how recruitment agencies operate, from dealing with an end client's resource specification, to interviewing candidates and finally hiring IT contractors.
(Jul 26, 2010 in Contract Work )
Office of Tax Simplification to review IR35 as a priority
Following the launch of the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) this week, the new body has been tasked with reviewing IR35 as a priority.
(Jul 22, 2010 in IR35 )
Parasol launches net take home pay calculator for umbrella contractors
Parasol has launched a new net take home pay calculator, which provides accurate and transparent pay calculations for umbrella company contractors.
(Jul 21, 2010 in News )
New body launched to simplify tax system - including IR35
Business groups have responded positively to the launch of the Office of Tax Simplification. One of its tasks will be to review IR35.
(Jul 20, 2010 in News )
Number of IT contract roles rebounds, rates on the rise
The latest statistics published by Salary Services suggest that after 2 dreadful years, the contract market is now rebounding.
(Jul 20, 2010 in Market Reports )
FSA to tighten mortgage lending rules
The FSA has outlined its plans to make the process of applying for a mortgage more stringent. There are fears that the self-employed (contractors included) may find it even harder to secure a mortgage loan.
(Jul 19, 2010 in Money / Investing )
Surge in demand for financial services IT contractors
Contract offers in the financial sector jumped by over 300% from May to June, suggesting that investment banks may be preparing for a significant upturn.
(Jul 16, 2010 in Market Reports )
Limited company formation numbers on the up
The number of limited company formations has started to rise once again following two years of falls, according to Companies House data.
(Jul 16, 2010 in News )
What insurance cover should IT contractors take out?
What types of business insurance should IT contractors take out? Are contractors without adequate cover likely to find it harder to secure contractor work?
(Jul 15, 2010 in Contractor Insurance )
IT contractors and Capital Gains Tax (CGT)
Following the Emergency Budget, many contractors will be aware that the higher CGT rate has risen to 28%, effective from 23rd June 2010.
(Jul 13, 2010 in Tax )
What is entrepreneurs' relief?
If you sell all or part of your business, or its assets after trading as ceased, you may be able to claim entrepreneurs' relief on the proceeds and pay 10% instead of the standard CGT rate.
(Jul 9, 2010 in Tax )
Government asks us which laws should be scrapped. IR35 anyone?
The coalition has launched a new site to enable people to suggest which laws and regulations should be scrapped. Unsurprisingly, IR35 has already been nominated numerous times.
(Jul 8, 2010 in News )
Union angered as HP keeps contractors on board, but axes employees
Hewlett-Packard is to lay off a further 934 workers, with further cuts possible. The company still retains 2000 contractors, which the Unite union says "adds insult to injury".
(Jul 7, 2010 in News )
Scottish contract market continues to strengthen
The latest Bank of Scotland 'Report on Jobs' suggests that the contract market north of the border is continuing to strengthen, albeit at a slower pace than earlier in the year.
(Jul 5, 2010 in Market Reports )
Guide to contractor timesheets and invoicing your agency
We look at how contractor timesheets are recorded, how your recruitment agency is invoiced, and how the payment process works for both limited and umbrella company contractors.
(Jul 1, 2010 in Contract Work )
How to negotiate your IT contract rate successfully
Negotiating your contract rate is a vital stage in your life as an IT contractor. In this guide, we look at the main factors which determine your bargaining power at any given time.
(Jun 29, 2010 in Contract Work )
Concerns raised over Telegraph IR35 abolition comment
With speculation rife about the future of IR35, a leading accountancy site has raised doubts over a newspaper claim that the coalition has promised to "abolish" the legislation.
(Jun 24, 2010 in IR35 )
Accountant welcomes contractor neutral Budget
A leading specialist accountant has told Contract Eye that contractors should be generally pleased with the outcome of Tuesday's Budget.
(Jun 24, 2010 in News )
IR35 and the Emergency Budget
In the Emergency Budget, George Osborne confirmed the coalition's pledge to review IR35 as part of a wider review of the way small businesses are taxed in general.
(Jun 23, 2010 in IR35 )
Emergency Budget - key points for contractors
Today's budget included rises in the rates of VAT and CGT, Corporation Tax reductions, and a complete overhaul of the benefit and tax credit systems.
(Jun 22, 2010 in News )
Contractors gear up for Emergency Budget measures
With the Chancellor set to deliver his emergency Budget today, Contract Eye will carry all the latest updates and analysis throughout the day.
(Jun 22, 2010 in News )
Drop in demand for financial services contractors
New research shows that financial services contractors are suffering from a lack of new projects - with demand for their services down by over 50% since May 2009.
(Jun 14, 2010 in Market Reports )
How much do contractor accountants cost?
How much do contractor accountants charge, and what other factors you should consider before signing up?
(Jun 11, 2010 in Contractor Accountants )
Details on Government IR35 review to be revealed in due course
No further details have emerged of when or how the IR35 legislation will be 'reviewed', although the Treasury confirmed that further details will be announced in due course.
(Jun 10, 2010 in News )
Second National Freelancers Day - 23rd November 2010
To celebrate the role freelancers and contractors make to the UK economy, the second National Freelancers Day is set to take place on 23rd November.
(Jun 8, 2010 in News )
Should contractors curb their enthusiasm over the coalition's pledge to review IR35?
Given the news that the coalition plans to review IR35, could a simpler tax system actually be more restrictive to the self employed?
(Jun 7, 2010 in IR35 )
PCG launches checklist for clients who use contractors
The PCG has unveiled a new checklist containing 12 key points to help clients when starting a project using contractors or freelancers.
(Jun 3, 2010 in News )
Should contractors use the HMRC contract review service?
Why contractors are advised against using HMRC's own IR35 contract review service.
(Jun 2, 2010 in IR35 )
What can contractors expect from the 'emergency budget'?
The most eagerly anticipated Budget in decades is likely to contain significant changes to most areas of business and personal taxation. What can contractors expect on June 22nd?
(Jun 1, 2010 in Tax )
What factors would trigger an IR35 investigation by HMRC?
We look at what factors would typically trigger an HMRC investigation into a contractor's tax affairs.
(May 27, 2010 in IR35 )
Online accounting for contractors - what to look out for
As more and more contractors turn to web-based software to manage their accounts, we look at things to consider when choosing an online accountancy provider.
(May 26, 2010 in Contractor Accountants )
Demand for contractors grows as investment in IT picks up
New research suggests that long term contractor unemployment has dropped by one third, and contractor confidence is growing, as investment in new IT projects gathers pace.
(May 25, 2010 in Market Reports )
Analysis of the Novasoft IR35 tribunal victory
Analysis of the recent Novasoft Limited IR35 tribunal, in which a contractor beat HMRC against all odds.
(May 24, 2010 in IR35 )
IR35 review - contracting industry reacts
The contracting industry has reacted with both joy and caution at the news that the new coalition government has announced its intention to review IR35.
(May 24, 2010 in IR35 )
New government confirms plans to review IR35 rules
The new coalition government has released a more comprehensive document outlining its programme for governing over the coming 5 years - including its approach to IR35.
(May 20, 2010 in IR35 )
Coalition outlines plans to review business taxes, including IR35
The coalition has unveiled its plans to slash red tape, review business taxation, and encourage enterprise over the next five years. Includes pledge to review IR35.
(May 20, 2010 in News )
PCG backs coalition government to review IR35 legislation
The PCG has welcomed the formation of the new coalition government, and says it hopes both parties will push for the abolition or full review of the IR35 legislation.
(May 18, 2010 in News )
