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Starting Up As An IT Contractor

Our guides to starting up in business as a contractor - from finding your first IT contract, to dealing with agents and clients. More in-depth guides to everything from IT contractor tax, to IR35 and umbrella companies, can be found in our other main sections.

Visit our contractor accountant and umbrella company directories

Start-Up Guide :: Contractor limited companies

How a contractor limited company works, and how to decide if its the right structure for you to trade under.
(Sep 2, 2009 in Start-Up Guides )

Start-Up Guide :: How to become an IT contractor

Once you have decided that IT contracting is something that you would like to do, there are a number of stages you will need to negotiate before starting work on your first contract.
(Jul 7, 2009 in Start-Up Guides )

Start-Up Guide :: Contractor umbrella companies

How contractor umbrella companies work, and how to choose the best scheme for you.
(Jun 25, 2009 in Start-Up Guides )

Start-Up Guide :: Limited or umbrella company?

Which trading structure should you use when you start our as an IT contractor - limited company or umbrella company?
(Jun 15, 2009 in Start-Up Guides )

Start-Up Guide :: Pros and cons of IT contracting

We look at the main positive and negative aspects of being an IT contractor, from the greater freedoms it brings, to the lack of security you might experience.
(May 19, 2009 in Start-Up Guides )

Start-Up Guide :: IT contractor insurance

What types of business insurance cover should IT contractors consider taking out?
(Feb 16, 2009 in Start-Up Guides )

Start-Up Guide :: What is IR35?

An overview of the notorious IR35 tax legislation. What contractors need to do to avoid the IR35 trap, and what if you're caught by the IR35 rules.
(Jan 22, 2009 in Start-Up Guides )

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. How does the economic downturn affect this equation.
(Jan 21, 2009 in Start-Up Guides )

Start-Up Guide :: Contractor recession survival tips

With rates on the slide and the number of contract openings shrinking, what can IT contractors do to ensure they get through the current market downturn intact?
(Jan 19, 2009 in Start-Up Guides )

Start-Up Guide :: 10 contractor success tips

Ten tips for IT contractor success: From having the right skills, to gaining contract renewals, and keeping on the right side of IR35 and the tax man.
(Oct 22, 2008 in Start-Up Guides )

Start-Up Guide :: Contractor tax and accounting

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 )

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 )

Start-Up Guide :: Before you start contracting

If you're thinking about becoming an IT contractor, it's worth taking some time to go over what is involved before taking the leap into the contracting world.
(Feb 13, 2008 in Start-Up Guides )

Start-Up Guide :: Contractor banking, financial services

An overview of IT contractor banking, and an overview of the financial service products available to contractors.
(Nov 29, 2007 in Start-Up Guides )

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, 2007 in Start-Up Guides )

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