Starting as a UK IT contractor - limited company contractors

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Start-Up Guides

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

Company Formation - You can set up a company right away via Duport.

Directories - Leading umbrella schemes and IT contractor accountants.

Contractor 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.

(Jan 3, 2012)

Start-Up Guide :: Contracting via a limited company

How a contractor limited company works, and how to decide if its the right structure for you to trade under.

(Jul 21, 2011)

Start-Up Guide :: What is IR35?

An overview of the IR35 tax legislation. What is IR35?, and what contractors should do to ensure that their contracts are not caught by the IR35 rules.

(Jul 12, 2011)

Start-Up Guide :: Contractor umbrella companies

How contractor umbrella companies work, and what to look out for when choosing an umbrella scheme.

(Jul 11, 2011)

5 tips for IT contractor success - Part Two

More tips for contractor success in 2011, from dealing with permies to deciding upon a business structure.

(Jan 20, 2011)

5 tips for IT contractor success - Part One

If you are considering becoming a contractor, or are a seasoned veteran, here are 5 success tips from the Contract Eye team to help you get the most out of contracting in 2011.

(Jan 11, 2011)

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.

(Dec 20, 2010)

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.

(Sep 9, 2010)

Start-Up Guide :: Business banking for contractors

If you are setting up as a limited company contractor, one of the first things you need to do is to open a business bank account.

(Sep 2, 2010)

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.

(Aug 26, 2010)

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)

Start-Up Guide :: IT contractor insurance

What types of business insurance cover should IT contractors consider taking out?

(Feb 16, 2009)

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)

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)

Start-Up Guide :: Contractor accounting & tax

Overview of the taxation and accounting requirements for IT contractors working via a limited company or umbrella company.

(Mar 8, 2008)

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)

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)