Further Contract Eye Updates
How to impress during the contractor interview process
With competition for contract roles tougher than ever, what can you do to improve your chances during the interview process?
(Sep 7, 2009 in Contract Work )
How to open a limited company bank account
If you are a limited company contractor, one of the first things you need to do is open a dedicated business bank account. We look at the steps you need to take complete the process.
(Aug 27, 2009 in Money / Investing )
What is IR35? Find out on YouTube!
A contractor accountancy firm has launched a series of videos aimed at helping contractors understand exactly what IR35 is.
(Aug 25, 2009 in IR35 )
What is a Managed Service Company?
How to identify a Managed Service Company provider, and ensure that you are not caught by the MSC rules.
(Aug 18, 2009 in Limited Company )
IT contractors and inheritance tax (IHT) planning
With careful planning, IT contractors can avoid falling into the much-hated inheritance tax (IHT) net.
(Aug 12, 2009 in Money / Investing )
Accountant warns contractors over 'false self employment'
A contractor accountancy firm has warned contractors to be on their guard as the Government plans its latest attack - this time on 'false self employment'.
(Aug 11, 2009 in News )
How much money can I distribute in dividends?
If you are a limited company contractor, how do you extract dividend income from your company?
(Aug 10, 2009 in Tax )
HMRC continues to investigate umbrella companies over expenses dispensations
HMRC continues to investigate umbrella companies and other businesses who may be breaking the law in the way they reimburse travel and subsistence expenses to their 'workers'.
(Aug 7, 2009 in Umbrella Companies )
When are my limited company annual accounts due?
If you have set up a new limited company for your contracting business, when do you have to submit your company accounts to Companies House?
(Aug 5, 2009 in Tax )
Businesses warned over backdated holiday claims from contractors
Companies are being urged to ensure that any self-employed contractors they hire cannot be classified as workers following an House of Lords ruling which enables employees to claim backdated holiday pay.
(Aug 4, 2009 in News )
Contractor PI insurance - what is retroactive cover?
Can IT contractors cover contract work performed in the past on a professional indemnity insurance policy?
(Aug 3, 2009 in Contractor Insurance )
'False self employment in construction' and IR35
The Government has launched a new consultation which addresses the issue of false self employment in the construction industry. What this could mean for IR35 and professional contractors.
(Jul 29, 2009 in IR35 )
What would trigger an IR35 investigation?
What events might lead to an 'IR35 investigation', and how should IT contractors protect themselves against such an eventuality.
(Jul 29, 2009 in IR35 )
What hourly / daily contract rate should I charge?
How to work out what hourly rate you need to achieve in order to secure your target annual gross income.
(Jul 29, 2009 in Contract Work )
Minister refuses to reveal IR35 investigation figures
The subject of IR35 was raised again in the Commons last month, with a Government Minister refusing to provide details of all IR35 investigations launched over the past five years.
(Jul 22, 2009 in IR35 )
Demand for IT contractors falls for sixth successive quarter, but rate of decline slowing
The latest quarterly SSL/JobAdsWatch report shows that the demand for IT contractors has fallen for the sixth successive quarter, but the pace of decline has slowed.
(Jul 21, 2009 in Market Reports )
Agency reports slump in IT contractor numbers
SThree has announced its latest figures, with IT contractor numbers down over 21% since this time last year.
(Jul 21, 2009 in Market Reports )
Limited or umbrella company - income comparison
A useful tool to calculate your post-tax income, depending on your choice of business structure - limited company, umbrella company, or PAYE via a recruitment agency.
(Jul 15, 2009 in Tax )
UK IT Industry Awards - open for contractor entries
The deadline for entries for the BCS and Computing UK IT Industry Awards has been extended until August 7th.
(Jul 15, 2009 in News )
IR35 still a major election issue for IT contractors
A survey has revealed some interesting insights into voting intentions of IT contractors, and their views on the general economy and the competence of HMRC.
(Jul 14, 2009 in News )
Linux contractors in demand as Google launches Chrome OS
IT contractors with Linux skills are expected to be in great demand following Google's plans to release its Chrome operating system in late 2010.
(Jul 13, 2009 in News )
Google web marketing advice for IT contractors
If you have set up a website for your contracting business, how do you achieve good rankings for your pages on Google?
(Jul 10, 2009 in Contract Work )
Permanent and contractor jobs market declines easing
A leading report shows that UK job market conditions continued to worsen in June, but the pace of decline has slowed rapidly. Have we hit the bottom of the slump?
(Jul 9, 2009 in Market Reports )
Shell tells its contractors to accept 12% rate cut
Shell has told its contractors that they must accept a 12% contract rate cut or face losing their jobs.
(Jul 8, 2009 in Market Reports )
IT contracting and working as a sole trader
Most IT contractors work via limited or umbrella companies. So, what is a sole trader, and why do contractors rarely work outside the structure of a company?
(Jul 8, 2009 in Limited Company )
The problem with 'phoenix' recruitment agencies
The Government has been asked to work with the recruitment industry to address the problem of 'phoenix' companies, where bust agencies abuse insolvency rules to shed debts and start up new companies.
(Jul 8, 2009 in News )
Limited company sub-contractor deemed to be 'employee' in unfair dismissal claim
A limited company sub-contractor has won an unfair dismissal case, having successfully claimed that he was an 'employee' under employment status rules.
(Jul 1, 2009 in News )
Lloyds Banking Group slashes contractor rates, offshores jobs to India
IT contractor rates at Lloyds Banking Group have been slashed by 15%. Simultaneously, the bank has offshored record number of jobs to India.
(Jun 30, 2009 in Market Reports )
Contractors warned to stick with specialist accountants
Contract workers are being urged to be careful when seeking advice from high street accountants, as a survey suggests that mainstream firms are often unaware of contractor-specific legislation and compliance issues.
(Jun 30, 2009 in News )
Financial services for IT contractors and freelancers
An overview of the key financial products on offer to IT contractors, including contractor mortgages, pensions, income protection, life cover and critical illness cover.
(Jun 26, 2009 in Money / Investing )
ICT work permits - contractors' group calls for reform
The PCG has called on the Government to reform the current immigration system following the controversial use of intra-company transfer (ICT) work permits by large companies.
(Jun 24, 2009 in News )
IT contractors "should be excluded" from agency legislation
A leading recruitment body says that IT contractors should be excluded from the Agency Workers Directive, as they don't need the same protection as lower paid agency workers.
(Jun 23, 2009 in News )
Contractor raises security clearance petition
A contractor has petitioned No.10 in protest at the current security clearance rules which appear to discriminate against many well-qualified IT workers.
(Jun 22, 2009 in News )
Working additional hours for no payment
When you've agreed to a maximum 8 hour working day for a fixed daily rate and hirers still expect you to work additional hours, should you be paid for these or not?
(Jun 19, 2009 in Contract Work )
Contractor umbrella company fees - how much to pay
Many contractors consider price to be a key factor when choosing an umbrella company. We look at typical umbrella company fees charged by providers, and why you should look at additional factors before signing up.
(Jun 16, 2009 in Umbrella Companies )
IT Contractor / SME Sites
Links to IT Contractor, freelancer and handy small business related sites.
(Jun 15, 2009 in Directory )
Where do the Conservatives stand on IR35?
Where do the Tories - traditionally seen as small business champions - stand on IR35?
(Jun 15, 2009 in IR35 )
Make sure you know who you're dealing with when applying for work
When applying for work via recruiters, contractors are urged to find out who they're dealing before granting representation rights, or they could miss out on good contract opportunities.
(Jun 11, 2009 in Contract Work )
How contractors should deal with late paying clients
As the recession deepens, the number of businesses who have suffered late payment problems has rocketed. What should contractors do if their agency or client fails to pay on time?
(Jun 10, 2009 in Money / Investing )
UK contractors replaced with half price overseas IT workers
UK Contractors recently laid off by BT have been replaced by Indian nationals, transferred via a loophole in the work permit system, according to the BBC.
(Jun 4, 2009 in News )
The real cost of IR35 to the contracting industry
Despite the pitiful annual tax take for the Treasury, IR35 has had a considerable cost on the contracting industry over the past decade.
(Jun 3, 2009 in IR35 )
Contract rates - how much do IT contractors earn?
The main factors which will affect the rates you can command as an IT contractor. From skills and experience, to economic conditions, agency commissions, and your company structure.
(Jun 2, 2009 in Contract Work )
How many MPs have signed motion to abolish IR35?
Ten weeks after a Lib Dem MP called for IR35 to be abolished, 85 MPs have signed the Early Day Motion backing up the call.
(Jun 2, 2009 in IR35 )
Tax / Statutory deadlines for limited company contractors
Limited company contractors should be aware of some key tax and statutory filing deadlines.
(Jun 1, 2009 in Tax )
Accountancy fees - why can't freelance contractors reclaim costs?
The PCG has called for a overhaul of current tax legislation following revelations that cabinet ministers have reclaimed the costs of professional help with their personal tax affairs.
(May 27, 2009 in News )
How much does IR35 make for the Treasury?
The leading contractors' association has revealed that IR35 raises virtually nothing for the Treasury - yet it causes misery for thousands of small businesses who have to comply with the rules.
(May 21, 2009 in IR35 )
Contractors should be careful when choosing an umbrella company
Contractors are urged to take extra care when choosing an umbrella company to work though, following the closure of several high profile schemes in recent weeks.
(May 20, 2009 in News )
BBC exposes dirty tricks used by some recruitment agencies
A BBC Scotland investigation has highlighted some of the naughty things some recruitment agencies get up to.
(May 18, 2009 in Contract Work )
Contractor group "deeply disappointed" by BT contractor cuts
The UK's leading contractor group has expressed its disappointment at the news that BT is to shed up to 10,000 contractors in a cost-cutting exercise.
(May 15, 2009 in News )
BT to shed 10,000 more UK contractors and agency staff
Following poor financial results, telecoms giant BT has announced further job cuts, thought to include another 10,000 contractors and agency staff, over the next year.
(May 15, 2009 in News )
