Further Contract Eye Updates
Government to clampdown on public sector IT contractors
The Treasury has confirmed that new rules are to come into force later this year which massively reduce the use of 'off payroll' arrangements for highly paid public sector workers.
(May 23, 2012 in News )
Government limited company proposals - an extraordinary over-reaction?
Industry groups have criticised the Government's announcements on public sector 'off payroll' remuneration, and the consultation into the tax treatment of controlling persons.
(May 23, 2012 in News )
Life Cover guide for IT contractors
A guide to life cover for IT contractors - essential cover to protect your dependants in the event of the worst happening.
(May 23, 2012 in Contractor Insurance )
Questions to ask an umbrella scheme provider
Before you sign up to a contractor umbrella service, there are a number of questions you should ask prospective scheme providers.
(May 21, 2012 in Umbrella Companies )
Has the latest HMRC guidance changed how contractors should comply with IR35?
Following the publication of new HMRC IR35 guidance, a legal expert tells us what steps contractors should take to comply with IR35.
(May 18, 2012 in IR35 )
Another part of Sunday Solutions umbrella operation wound up
A Luxembourg-based company which sourced clients for the now defunct Sunday Solutions umbrella scheme, has been forced into liquidation on the grounds of public interest.
(May 18, 2012 in News )
Contractor demand steady as firms putting off permanent hires
The latest research from APSCo suggests that the demand for contractors in the financial services and engineering sectors continues to grow as companies are reluctant to hire permanent workers while the economic outlook remains uncertain.
(May 18, 2012 in Market Reports )
EAT rules that Stringfellows dancer is an employee
The Employment Appeal Tribunal has ruled that a Stringfellows' worker was employed rather than self-employed, and can now pursue an unfair dismissal against the West End club.
(May 18, 2012 in News )
How the HMRC IR35 investigation process works
In light of the new HMRC IR35 guidance, we look at how an IR35 enquiry will typically originate - typically via an Employer Compliance Review.
(May 15, 2012 in IR35 )
Demand for digital contractors continues to soar
The latest edition of the JM Digital Index shows that the demand for contractors with digital skills is booming, with the demand for both permanent and contract workers up by 18% since the end of 2011.
(May 11, 2012 in Market Reports )
New HMRC specialist teams set to increase number of IR35 reviews
Although the release of new HMRC guidance has made no difference to the underlying IR35 legislation itself, it could signal the start of a concerted effort by the tax authorities to carry out an increased number of compliance reviews.
(May 10, 2012 in IR35 )
New IR35 business test and IR35 scenarios go live
After weeks of speculation, HMRC has published new IR35 guidance, including a business entity test and a set of typical IR35 scenarios.
(May 9, 2012 in IR35 )
IR35 compliance - are you inside or outside IR35?
If HMRC decide to conduct an IR35 status enquiry, there are a number of factors which will be taken into account when determining whether or not your contract will fall within the scope of IR35 or not.
(May 8, 2012 in IR35 )
How do you register your limited company for corporation tax?
If you have set up a limited company for your contracting business, how do you register to pay corporation tax?
(May 7, 2012 in Tax )
2,000 public sector workers using own limited companies
An investigative news site has leaked a letter from Danny Alexander to the Chancellor which reveals that thousands of public officials are being paid via their own limited companies rather than the payroll.
(May 3, 2012 in News )
HMRC business test only a minor change to IR35 administration
Since the details of the proposed HMRC IR35 business test were first posted online last week, some have expressed 'shock' at these so-called leaks, but one must not forget that the official test itself is just a minor development in the process to overhaul IR35.
(May 2, 2012 in IR35 )
IT Industry Awards open for entries
The 2012 UK IT Industry Awards are open for entries, with a wide range of new award categories including cloud services, apps, bid data and VAR, reflecting the rapidly changing world of technology.
(May 1, 2012 in News )
List of contractor umbrella companies
A list of some of the leading IT contractor umbrella companies in the UK. How to choose an umbrella company.
(May 1, 2012 in Directory )
Most contractors would fail the IR35 business test
As the contents of the proposed IR35 business test appear online, it is easy to see why a rift has formed between HMRC and business groups, as it would appear that most contractors would face at least a medium risk of an IR35 investigation.
(Apr 27, 2012 in IR35 )
Contractors largely unaffected by AWR
A recent poll carried out by contractors' organisation, PCG, found that the recently implemented Agency Workers Regulations have had a very limited effect on most freelancers.
(Apr 26, 2012 in Agency Workers Regulations )
Clients unimpressed with contractor recruitment agencies
A survey by a nationwide HR firm suggests that a massive 89% of leading companies have frozen recruitment for permanent staff, however past experiences have put them off using specialist contractor agencies.
(Apr 25, 2012 in News )
London top, Northern Ireland bottom of umbrella contractor pay rankings
Data from the UK's largest umbrella provider, Parasol, shows how much contractors can typically earn in each region of the UK.
(Apr 25, 2012 in News )
Most IT professionals prefer stability of permanent employment
A survey of over 3,000 IT professionals shows that people working within the industry are earning more, but working longer. Interestingly, despite the higher rates of pay offered by contracting, most prefer to remain in permanent work.
(Apr 24, 2012 in News )
City-based IT contractor found guilty of tax evasion
An IT contractor, who worked for a number of City banks, has been prosecuted for tax evasion after diverting his income to offshore companies and failing to file a single tax return for his UK limited company.
(Apr 22, 2012 in News )
Directory of IT Contractor Accountants
Directory of IT contractor accountants - links to some of the best specialist accountancy firms for contractors in the UK.
(Apr 19, 2012 in Directory )
Has the Coalition actually increased the red tape burden?
The ICAEW believes that this is a 'make or break' year for the Coalition Government's plans to slash the amount of red tape businesses have to comply with.
(Apr 19, 2012 in News )
Using the correct SIC code on company Annual Returns
Limited company owners may be unaware that the SIC codes used to identify the type of industry a company belongs to have to be manually updated for Annual Returns submitted after 1st October 2011.
(Apr 19, 2012 in News )
IR35 - Confirmation of Arrangements
Alongside a IR35 compliant contract, and matching working practices, a document confirming the true working arrangement between contractor and client is an important tool in demonstrating self employment. Includes free template download.
(Apr 18, 2012 in IR35 )
Demand for perm IT staff up, AWR may have slowed demand for contractors
The latest Report on Jobs contains encouraging data for the IT sector, showing strong growth for permanent IT staff, although the Agency Workers Regulations are thought to be responsible for a decline in contract billings in March.
(Apr 16, 2012 in Market Reports )
LinkedIn gaining ground, but old fashioned CV not dead yet
Although LinkedIn is growing at a rapid rate, a survey by an online recruiter suggests that the business networking site has not killed off the traditional CV, just yet.
(Apr 16, 2012 in News )
Guide to limited company expenses
As a limited company contractor, your company can claim a wide range of expenses against profits - from director's salaries to the cost of IT training.
(Apr 15, 2012 in Tax )
Over 3000 PCG members take IR35 business test trial
Over 3,000 PCG members have already taken part in a trial to determine how accurate the proposed HMRC IR35 business entity tests may be in real world scenarios.
(Apr 13, 2012 in IR35 )
What is run-off professional indemnity cover?
If you are about to retire, or are taking a break from contracting for whatever reason, what happens if a client makes a claim against you for mistakes you may have made in the past?
(Apr 13, 2012 in Contractor Insurance )
AWR has increased staffing costs, Swedish Derogation exclusion popular
An international law firm has found that the implementation of the AWR has increased the cost of hiring staff for most organisations, and most firms are using at least one exclusion to mimimise the impact of the new rules.
(Apr 11, 2012 in Agency Workers Regulations )
How is net take home pay calculated for umbrella company employees?
One of the most frequently asked questions by umbrella company contractors is how much income they will receive after all deductions have been made?
(Apr 10, 2012 in Umbrella Companies )
Doubts raised over proposed IR35 business test
Concerns over the way IR35 is administered in the future have been raised as members of the IR35 Forum disagree with HMRC over the content and scoring of the proposed IR35 business test.
(Apr 4, 2012 in IR35 )
Contracting via an umbrella company - advantages and disadvantages
We look at the pros and cons of contracting via an umbrella company - seen by many as the "hassle free" solution.
(Apr 1, 2012 in Umbrella Companies )
Contractors fear public sector limited company snub
Most contractor respondents to a PCG poll expect the number of public sector contracts and opportunities to dry up following the recent media campaign against the use of personal service companies.
(Mar 30, 2012 in News )
How IT contractors could benefit from investing in a pension
An overview of contractor pensions, and what to look out for when choosing a scheme provider.
(Mar 30, 2012 in Money / Investing )
Interim body concerned about Budget IR35 announcement
The Interim Management Association says that an IR35 statement included in the Budget document could undermine the UK's competitiveness.
(Mar 28, 2012 in News )
Crackdown on personal service companies in 2013?
Kate Cottrell looks at the recent Budget IR35 statement and what impact a forthcoming PSC consultation document might have on contractors.
(Mar 27, 2012 in News )
Why limited company contractors are not tax dodgers
Has the spotlight has turned on contractors in recent weeks, following the media furore over limited companies? and how to counteract any jibes made by permies.
(Mar 26, 2012 in News )
HMRC IR35 business test could go live in April 2012
A new IR35 business entity test could go live on the HMRC site as soon as April, alongside some typical scenarios which aim to show how likely you are to fall within the scope of IR35.
(Mar 24, 2012 in IR35 )
Tax rates and allowances for 2012/13
Here are the business and individual tax rates, bands and allowances for the 2012/13 tax year.
(Mar 22, 2012 in Tax )
Ambiguous IR35 Budget statement causes industry excitement
The final part of the short Budget 2012 statement afforded to IR35 has created further uncertainty for contractors, according to some industry experts.
(Mar 21, 2012 in IR35 )
IR35 remains firmly in place following Budget 2012
As was widely expected, the IR35 rules remain in place following Budget 2012, taking up only a few lines in the accompanying Budget documents.
(Mar 21, 2012 in IR35 )
Budget 2012 - Key points for contractors
The key points from Budget 2012, including personal and business tax announcements.
(Mar 20, 2012 in News )
What contractors can expect from Budget 2012
What can contractors expect from Budget 2012? Will the 50p tax band stay or go? Will there be any IR35 announcements?
(Mar 19, 2012 in Tax )
Budget 2012 - The problem with taxing the rich more
For centuries, successive UK Governments have grappled with the problems of raising more taxes from the better off in society. We look at George Osborne's options ahead of Budget 2012.
(Mar 14, 2012 in Tax )
Survey shows contracting continues to grow in popularity
A survey of over 3,000 firms and employees found that flexible workers had actively sought not to pursue permanent jobs, rather than having been forced into contracting.
(Mar 13, 2012 in News )
