Further Contract Eye Updates
Contractor successful at IR35 appeal after five year wait
IT contractor, Novak Brajkovic, has won his appeal against an IR35 claim, which was initially triggered via his use of HMRC's own contract enquiry service!
(May 12, 2010 in IR35 )
Contractor mortgage repayment calculator
Mortgage calculator for IT contractors which works out both repayment and interest only payments for a variety of interest rates.
(May 8, 2010 in Money / Investing )
Survey shows contractors favour Tories in run up to election
The Conservatives are by far the most favoured political party for contractors, according to an opinion poll carried out by a leading contractor accountancy firm.
(May 5, 2010 in News )
Recruitment agency terms and conditions - common problems
We look at the complex subject of agency terms and conditions, with the help of employment status expert Kate Cottrell.
(Apr 30, 2010 in Contract Work )
How to write a good IT contractor CV
How to write the perfect CV. 5 Top tips for penning the perfect IT contractor CV, and a suggested CV layout for freelancers
(Apr 29, 2010 in Contract Work )
Unfair agency terms and conditions? An unhappy contractor's view
A disgruntled Contract Eye reader sent us an interesting email this week which deals with an often overlooked subject - recruitment agency terms and conditions.
(Apr 28, 2010 in News )
Job site reports 54% increase in IT contract roles advertised
A leading IT job site has seen a 54% increase in the number of contract roles advertised during the first quarter of 2010, suggesting that the worst may be over for the contract market.
(Apr 27, 2010 in Market Reports )
HMRC to get pennies after ceasing IR35 action against contractor company
HMRC has finally agreed to end its IR35 court case action against Larkstar Data, yielding the tax authorities just pennies for their trouble.
(Apr 21, 2010 in News )
How offset mortgages can offer flexibility to contractors
Offset mortgages can offer great flexibility for contractors, and can also save tax. An overview of what offset mortgage are, and how best to make use of them.
(Apr 14, 2010 in Money / Investing )
What is BN66 and how does it affect contractors?
How does BN66 prevent double taxation treaty abuse, and how does it affect contractors who have used offshore tax avoidance schemes in the past?
(Apr 12, 2010 in Tax )
Social networks no match for job boards for IT professionals
A new survey suggests that, despite the media's infatuation with social networking sites, IT job seekers still overwhelmingly look for new work via job sites and recruitment agencies.
(Apr 9, 2010 in News )
SPA becomes Freelancer and Contractor Services Association after re-brand
The Service Providers Association (SPA) has re-branded today and will now be known as the Freelancer and Contractor Services Association (FCSA).
(Apr 6, 2010 in News )
P35 'service company' question for limited company contractors
The 'service company' question on the 2009/10 P35 employer annual return could cause limited company contractors some confusion once again this year.
(Apr 4, 2010 in Tax )
New contractor survey launched in run up to election
A new contractors' opinion poll has been launched in the run up to the next General Election. The survey aims to collect information on contractors' views on areas including the Agency Workers' Directive and IR35.
(Apr 1, 2010 in News )
Conservatives would review IR35 rules following election win
As part of their pledge to review small business taxation should they win the general election, the Tories have singled out reform of the IR35 rules as a priority.
(Mar 31, 2010 in IR35 )
Changes for VAT registered contractors from 1st April 2010
Any contractors registered for VAT should be aware of a number of changes to the VAT system, which take effect from 1st April 2010.
(Mar 30, 2010 in Tax )
Recruitment agencies and umbrella company kickbacks
Are commission payments from umbrella companies to recruitment agencies reaching unsustainable levels in some cases?, and could this benefit non-compliant umbrella schemes?
(Mar 30, 2010 in News )
Government eyes EBTs and offshore schemes in tax avoidance clampdown
At last week's Budget, the Government announced its intention to introduce new legislation to clamp down on Employee Benefit Trusts (EBTs) and other 'tax efficient' schemes from April 2011.
(Mar 29, 2010 in News )
Income tax rates and taxable bands - 2010/11 tax year
The income tax rates and bands for the 2010-11 tax year, including the new 50% rate, the gradual personal allowance removal if you earn over six figures, and the new 42.5% dividend tax band.
(Mar 25, 2010 in Tax )
Budget 2010 (March) - main points for contractors
Budget 2010, which was as strong on political point scoring, as it was lacking in significant announcements, contains few surprises for contractors.
(Mar 24, 2010 in News )
Budget 2010 (March) - what can contractors expect?
Looking forward to what is likely to be a political Budget, what can contractors expect?, and where to follow coverage online.
(Mar 24, 2010 in News )
Springboard Umbrella - how can it be a 'free' service?
A contractor umbrella service has recently been launched which is currently free to use. We asked Springboard Umbrella how they can offer such a service.
(Mar 17, 2010 in News )
Consultants optimistic about future despite dip in rates
The results of Skillfair's 5th annual rate survey has been released, showing that consultants are overwhelmingly optimistic about the future, despite a short-term dip in rates.
(Mar 16, 2010 in Market Reports )
Surge in number of contractor limited companies formed
A leading contractor accountancy firm, says that 2010 has seen a massive rise in the number of contractors forming limited companies.
(Mar 16, 2010 in News )
IR35 factors and the importance of 'control'
A brief overview of how 'control' is an important factor in determining the IR35 status of a contract.
(Mar 16, 2010 in IR35 )
IR35 and the Right of Substitution
The Right of Substitution is an important factor in IR35 / employment status cases, but how can it be used in reality? Why a RoS clause is useless unless it reflects the reality of the contractor's working practices.
(Mar 11, 2010 in IR35 )
Budget date confirmed for 24th March
The Chancellor has confirmed that Budget 2010 will be delivered on 24th March - as widely anticipated by the media.
(Mar 10, 2010 in News )
IR35 - what is the 5% allowance?
If your IT contract work is caught by the IR35 rules, you will receive most of your income in the form of a deemed payment, net of a standard 5% allowance to cover administrative expenses.
(Mar 10, 2010 in IR35 )
Latest Monster figures point to recovery in jobs market
Further evidence of the increased firming of the IT jobs market has emerged, as the Monster Employment index shows the highest level of online job openings since December 2008.
(Mar 9, 2010 in News )
Accountancy firm Danbro collects award following takeover
Contractor accountancy firm, Danbro, has collected a gong for 'Small Deal of the Year' at the Insider Dealmakers Awards 2010.
(Mar 5, 2010 in News )
Accountant launches online calculator for contractors
A leading contractor accountancy firm has launched an online calculator to help contractors work out the income difference between working via a limited or umbrella company, and inside or outside of IR35.
(Mar 3, 2010 in News )
PAYE umbrella companies - how net pay is calculated
We look at how net pay is calculated for PAYE umbrella company employees, following deductions for income tax, national insurance, and expenses.
(Feb 25, 2010 in Umbrella Companies )
Recruiters embracing social networks to source candidates
Recruiters have acknowledged the growing influence of social networking sites on the recruitment process, and how this trend could lead to a reduction in agency income in the future.
(Feb 25, 2010 in News )
What is public liability insurance?
An overview of public liability insurance for contractors and small businesses - what it is, and how to get a quote.
(Feb 24, 2010 in Contractor Insurance )
Contractor tax records - how long should you keep them for?
HMRC has released a new guide explaining which tax and accounting records contractors should keep, and how long they should keep them for.
(Feb 23, 2010 in Tax )
IR35 and the 'mutuality of obligation'
A brief overview of what the 'mutuality of obligation' means in the context of determining the IR35 status of a contract.
(Feb 22, 2010 in IR35 )
Umbrella companies and retaining contractors' funds
What risks do contractors take by letting their service providers keep funds aside to meet future tax liabilities?
(Feb 18, 2010 in Umbrella Companies )
The main financial risks faced by umbrella companies
We look at the two main threats to the stability of an umbrella company - an HMRC enquiry, and using client monies to fund business growth.
(Feb 18, 2010 in Umbrella Companies )
Investment banks still cautious over contractor recruitment
New figures suggest that investment banks are still suffering from a lack of confidence in the sector, with new permanent and IT contractor job offers still low.
(Feb 17, 2010 in News )
Retrospective taxation is 'inherently unfair' says tax body
A leading tax body has called the increasing use of retrospective tax legislation as inherently unfair, as further measures introduced by Government.
(Feb 15, 2010 in News )
SPA responds to claims that umbrella company industry lacks regulation
The SPA, which represents several leading umbrella companies, has responded to claims that there is a lack of regulation within the umbrella industry.
(Feb 11, 2010 in News )
Foreign currency accountancy help for contractors quoting for overseas work
An online accounting software provider for contractors has added a new module to help produce estimates and invoices in overseas currencies.
(Feb 11, 2010 in News )
Concern for Albany umbrella company contractors after administrators called in
Administrators have been appointed to Albany Holdings Ltd and its subsidiaries after its business in the UK appears to have faced cash-flow problems, which has resulted in some of its contractors not being paid.
(Feb 10, 2010 in News )
Tories may address IR35 and other 'unfair' business taxes
According to a recent press report, the Conservatives are looking at making the taxation system fairer for the self-employed should they win the General Election.
(Feb 9, 2010 in IR35 )
Contractor private medical cover - WPA special offer available
We recently joined forces with WPA to provide private medical insurance to our visitors. Already a good value service, you can currently add a family member for free for the first year.
(Feb 9, 2010 in News )
SPA welcomes move to define 'professional contractor'
The SPA, which represents contractor accountants, umbrella companies and other service providers, has welcomed the recent announcement to produce a formal definition of a 'professional contractor'.
(Feb 8, 2010 in News )
Parasol umbrella leading equity-backed company in the North West
PAYE umbrella company, Parasol, has also been ranked at the top of the Sunday Times Buyout Track 100 for the fastest growing profit margins of any equity-backed business in the region, and 14th nationwide.
(Feb 5, 2010 in News )
Leading agency reports profit slump, but contract business remains robust
Leading recruitment company, SThree, has announced a steep fall in revenues in 2009, following one of the worst years ever recorded for the industry, however the contract side of the business has held up well.
(Feb 2, 2010 in News )
IT Contractor Services - IR35 Reviews, Insurance
Links to IT Contractor service providers - company formation, insurance, financial services, legal, etc.
(Feb 2, 2010 in Directory )
Free umbrella company service launched for contractors
In a highly competitive market, a new entrant has come up with an innovative selling point - a free umbrella company service for contractors.
(Feb 2, 2010 in News )
