Further Contract Eye Updates
Danbro contractor podcast on importance of compiance
IT Contractor accountants, Danbro, have uploaded the latest in a new series of podcasts discussing the importance of using a compliant service provider.
(Sep 8, 2008 in News )
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(Sep 5, 2008 in News )
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(Sep 5, 2008 in News )
Accounting contractors rarely work for accountancy firms
New research shows that despite current recruitment shortfalls in the industry, less than one in twenty finance and accounting contractors actually work for accountancy firms.
(Sep 5, 2008 in News )
Dragonfly IR35 defeat at the High Court
The director of Dragonfly Consultancy faces a huge tax bill after losing his landmark IR35 appeal at the High Court. What does the loss of this case mean for other IT contractors?
(Sep 4, 2008 in IR35 )
IT contractors - when should you register for VAT?
IT contractors must register for VAT if their annual turnover reaches the current VAT registration threshold. This article looks at the benefits of becoming VAT registered.
(Sep 3, 2008 in Tax )
Most contractors haven't sought professional IR35 opinion
A recent survey suggests that most IT contractors have not sought a professional opinion of their IR35 status.
(Aug 22, 2008 in IR35 )
Contractor event aims to increase IR35 awareness
An event to help raise awareness of IR35 and the MSC legislation is taking place on 28th August in Aberdeen - aimed at engineering and IT contractors.
(Aug 20, 2008 in IR35 )
Now HBOS permies feel the heat as jobs cut in IT division
Following recent IT contractor rate cuts, 5% of the permanent IT staff at HBOS are to be culled as part of a "streamlining" process.
(Aug 19, 2008 in Market Reports )
New compliance checks for contractor service providers
Contractor service providers seeking to become members of recruitment industry body ATSCo will now have to pass new compliance checks which have been devised with HMRC.
(Aug 19, 2008 in News )
Further rate cuts for City banking IT Contractors
IT Contractors at two more major banks are being subjected to across the board rate cuts, as the banking downturn continues.
(Aug 5, 2008 in Market Reports )
HMRC announces income tax changes for 2008/9 tax year
The personal allowance and higher rate tax bands for the 2008/9 tax year have been changed in an attempt to make up for the abolition of the initial tax band following Budget 2008.
(Aug 5, 2008 in Tax )
Umbrella company travel expenses - SPA to take key role
The Service Providers Association intends to take a key role in the forthcoming consultation on travel expenses for umbrella company contractors.
(Aug 4, 2008 in Umbrella Companies )
Contract rates - How much will you earn as an IT Contractor?
A guide to IT contract rates - what hourly rate can you expect as an IT Contractor, and key rate resources.
(Aug 1, 2008 in Market Reports )
Further reaction to HMRC umbrella travel expenses consultation
A specialist law firm said his week that HMRC's consultation on "agency workers" travel expenses marks the beginning of another phase in the government's review of the agency sector
(Jul 23, 2008 in Umbrella Companies )
Tax simplification would do away with the need for IR35, MSC's and Income Shifting
The CIOT calls for NIC's and income tax to be aligned, to simplify the small business tax system, and do away with the need for IR35, managed service companies, and much "income shifting".
(Jul 21, 2008 in Tax )
Start-Up Guide :: Negotiate your IT contract rate
Once you have been offered an IT contract, you will need to negotiate both the rate you will be paid and consider the implications of IR35 before signing any contract.
(Jul 13, 2008 in Start-Up Guides )
Choosing a suitable name for your limited company
When setting up a limited company for your IT contracting business, one of the first things you need to do is choose a suitable name for your enterprise.
(Jul 10, 2008 in Limited Company )
IT Contractor shock at 31 grand mobile phone bill
An IT Contractor was shocked when he returned from holiday in Portugal to face a massive mobile phone bill.
(Jul 3, 2008 in News )
IT contractors warned to credit check clients as "crunch" bites
Some practical advice for contractors to ensure that they protect themselves from late paying or non-paying clients
(Jul 2, 2008 in Money / Investing )
How to be successful as an IT contractor
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.
(Jul 1, 2008 in Contract Work )
Limited company or umbrella company?
A brief look at the two key ways to operate as an IT contractor - working via your own limited company, or using the services of an umbrella company.
(Jun 27, 2008 in Limited Company )
How to find IT contractor jobs - contract work
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.
(Jun 23, 2008 in Contract Work )
IT contractor interview tips
The interview is a crucial step in your quest for that next IT contract and every care should be made to ensure that you impress.
(Jun 13, 2008 in Contract Work )
City banks slash IT contractor rates
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.
(Jun 2, 2008 in Market Reports )
Fujitsu pulls the plug on NHS IT Contract
Fujitsu, a leading contractor behind the planned multi-billion pound NHS linked computer project, has terminated its contract following a disagreement over payment.
(May 29, 2008 in News )
IT Contractors' living standards being eroded by "credit crunch"
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.
(May 28, 2008 in News )
IR35 and employment status - key guide
The key to determining if you are caught by the IR35 rules - are you deemed to be 'employed' (and therefore within IR35), or 'self-employed' (and therefore outside the rules)?
(May 18, 2008 in IR35 )
IT Contractor Accounting - How legislation has forced changes
A leading IT contractor accountancy firm tells us how accounting practices have been forced to change in the face of shifting tax legislation.
(May 13, 2008 in Contractor Accountants )
Tax pitfalls for owner managed companies in 2008
An interesting article has been published which looks at the mounting tax pitfalls which exist for owner managed companies.
(May 9, 2008 in Tax )
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.
(Apr 29, 2008 in Market Reports )
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.
(Apr 22, 2008 in Contract Work )
IT contractors vs. 'permies' - how to avoid conflict
Some irreverent tips to help new IT contractors get on with their permanent colleagues.
(Apr 21, 2008 in Contract Work )
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
(Apr 17, 2008 in Market Reports )
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.
(Apr 16, 2008 in Market Reports )
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.
(Apr 14, 2008 in 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.
(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.
(Apr 10, 2008 in Market Reports )
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.
(Apr 7, 2008 in Limited Company )
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.
(Apr 2, 2008 in Umbrella Companies )
Budget 2008 - How IT Contractors are affected
How Budget 2008 will affect IT Contractors - Income Shifting delay, Rogue Umbrella Company announcement, CGT taper relief abolition, and changes to Income Tax and National Insurance rates.
(Mar 14, 2008 in Tax )
Start-Up Guide :: Contractor accounting and tax
Overview of the taxation and accounting requirements for IT contractors working via a limited company or umbrella company.
(Mar 8, 2008 in Start-Up Guides )
Contractors slam proposed HMRC "snooping" powers
A leading freelancer group has condemned proposals to give new powers to HMRC, which would give tax inspectors more powers to "snoop" on contractors.
(Mar 6, 2008 in News )
Government releases draft "entrepreneurs' relief" legislation
Draft legislation for the Government's capital gains tax "entrepreneurs' relief" concession has been published.
(Feb 28, 2008 in Tax )
Start-Up Guide :: Finding and securing IT contracts
Once you have decided that IT contracting is the life for you, the next step is to find your first IT contract.
(Feb 20, 2008 in Start-Up Guides )
Financial impact of IR35 on IT contractors
There is s significant difference in the tax treatment of IT contractors whose contracts fall either inside, or outside, the IR35 rules.
(Feb 18, 2008 in IR35 )
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Terms of Use and Privacy Policy for visitors to the Contract Eye website.
(Feb 15, 2008 in About Us )
Financial Services IT contractors see rate hike despite credit crunch fears
Despite the media frenzy following the "credit crunch", IT contractors working in the financial services sector have seen an 11% rise in contract rates over the past six months.
(Feb 1, 2008 in Market Reports )
Self Assessment deadline extended following "technical difficulties"
HMRC have kindly extended the online self assessment deadline by 24 hours after their systems failed to cope under the strain of online submissions.
(Jan 31, 2008 in News )
Chancellor delivers Capital Gains Tax u-turn
The Chancellor has published his latest changes to the CGT regime. Now, individuals will pay 10% CGT on business asset sales up to GBP1m over a lifetime. The 18% rate will kick-in on all sales above this threshold.
(Jan 24, 2008 in Tax )
