Latest Contractor News
Contractor site says BBC plans to cull contractor numbers
According to the response to a FOI request from a leading contractor news site, the BBC says that it may reduce the number of limited company contractors on its books.
(May 21, 2013)
Accountants exploit Treasury access to help clients avoid tax
The Public Accounts Committee says that the Treasury should no longer use external accountancy firms - which are hired to help formulate tax policy, but then subsequently advise clients on how to exploit loopholes in tax legislation.
(Apr 26, 2013)
Rise in claims against tax avoidance scheme providers
A City legal services firm says that it has seen a sharp rise in the number of insurance claims being made against the promoters of a number of tax avoidance schemes, some of which were marketed to the contracting community.
(Apr 26, 2013)
Shares for rights proposals reinstated by Commons
The controversial 'shares for rights' proposals, whereby employees waive employment rights in return for a share in the business they work for, have been reinstated by the Commons, following rejection by the House of Lords.
(Apr 21, 2013)
Contractor company dividends not at risk following PA Holdings bonus ruling
A leading consultancy firm has decided not to take its employee remuneration case to the Supreme Court, meaning that an earlier Court of Appeal judgement which ruled that 'artificial' dividend payments to employees should be taxed as employment income, stands.
(Apr 18, 2013)
Government departments reminded over security clearance prejudice
The Cabinet Office has reminded Government HR departments that holding current security clearance should not be a prerequisite for contract work applications.
(Apr 10, 2013)
PCG plans legal action over public sector contractor rules
The PCG has called on its members to help back a new campaign to challenge the Government's public sector rules which force contractors to prove that they are meeting their tax obligations.
(Mar 24, 2013)
Budget 2013 - key points and industry reaction for IT contractors
The Chancellor delivered his Budget speech today at 12.30. Here are the key points, as they relate to IT contractors.
(Mar 20, 2013)
Government targets offshore payroll companies
This weekend, in advance of Budget 2013, the Treasury says that it will put in place new legislation to outlaw payroll companies which use offshore corporate structures to avoid paying National Insurance.
(Mar 17, 2013)
Budget 2013 - what can IT contractors expect?
What do the UK's leading accountants expect to be announced on March 20th when George Osborne delivers his fourth Budget?
(Mar 11, 2013)
Are you reclaiming the business expenses you are entitled to?
Research by a online accounting software provider suggests that the majority of contractors may not be reclaiming all the expenses they have personally incurred on behalf of their limited companies.
(Mar 7, 2013)
HMRC deal with Isle of Man to clamp down on offshore tax avoidance
The Government has formed a new agreement with the Isle of Man to clamp down on taxpayers who have attempted to hide funds offshore.
(Mar 4, 2013)
Time needed to complete IT job interview process doubles
The time it takes to complete the interview process for a typical IT role has doubled over the past five years, according to a specialist recruiter.
(Mar 1, 2013)
Two IT consultants sent down for tax evasion and fraud
Two men who ran an IT consultancy firm have been jailed for tax evasion and fraud, after they were found to have hidden cash away in offshore accounts.
(Feb 25, 2013)
Committee calls on Government to 'name and shame' tax avoidance scheme providers
Following its latest session, the Public Accounts Committee says that tax avoidance schemes providers are 'running rings' round HMRC, and those who market or use such schemes should be named to discourage others.
(Feb 22, 2013)
Most contractors prefer contracting to traditional 'employment'
The latest SJD Accountancy contractor survey shows that average rates have continued to rise, and a large number of respondents said that their work/life balance has improved as a result of going contracting.
(Feb 13, 2013)
Tax return process a 'challenge' for ranks of new freelancers
Despite record numbers of taxpayers meeting the tax return deadline this year, a leading accounting body says that freelancers face a 'tax maze' when it comes to self-assessment.
(Feb 1, 2013)
IT developer outsourced his entire job to Chinese freelancers
As a result of a security audit carried out on behalf of a US-based firm, network logs showed that a developer had outsourced his entire job to an IT consultancy firm based in China.
(Jan 21, 2013)
Online freelance hiring set to surge in 2013
Elance, one of the leading online outsourcing firms, predicts that this year will see a doubling in the amount of work freelancers will conduct via the web.
(Jan 18, 2013)
Parasol takes lead on umbrella company expenses reforms
A leading contractor umbrella provider has tightened its expenses policy to limit non-receipted expense claims to food and accommodation costs, and has urged other PAYE umbrella firms to do the same.
(Jan 17, 2013)
Stringfellows' dancer found to be 'self employed' as EAT decision reversed
In a long-running employment status case, a former Stringfellows' worker has been found to be 'self employed' rather than 'employed' by the Court of Appeal, after an earlier Employment Appeal Tribunal decision was overturned.
(Jan 15, 2013)
Contractors who pay VAT late likely to attract greater HMRC scrutiny
The latest in a series of HMRC campaigns to 'encourage' individuals and businesses to meet their tax obligations is aimed at businesses that fail to file their quarterly VAT returns on time.
(Jan 12, 2013)
Autumn Statement - Controlling Persons proposals dropped, pension benefits slashed
The main points of interest from today's Autumn Statement include a reduction in pension benefits for higher rate taxpayers, sub-inflationary rises to income tax bands, and the decision to drop the proposed 'controlling persons' rules.
(Dec 5, 2012)
The construction payroll scandal that costs Treasury billions
A damning new report published by UCATT says that false self-employment in the construction sector could be costing the Treasury billions each year.
(Dec 4, 2012)
Contractor pay gap narrowing between the sexes
The latest research released by Parasol suggests that the gender pay gap for contractors has virtually disappeared - and in some regioins, a 'reverse pay gap' may even be emerging.
(Nov 29, 2012)
Value of Inheritance Tax reliefs slashed by effects of inflation
A leading accountancy firm says that the value of Inheritance Tax (IHT) reliefs has shrunk massively over recent years, thanks to the erosive effects of inflation
(Nov 26, 2012)
MPs urge Government to crack down on dodgy umbrella schemes
An Early Day Motion has been raised in the Commons, which urges the Government to crack down on dodgy umbrella company schemes which abuse travel and subsistence expenses rules.
(Nov 26, 2012)
Chancellor's Autumn Statement - what can contractors expect on Dec 5th?
What tax changes might contractors expect to see when the Chancellor delivers his Autumn Statement on December 5th?
(Nov 25, 2012)
HMRC slammed over tax avoidance schemes
The National Audit Office says that HMRC has a long way to go in its fight to close down aggressive tax avoidance schemes.
(Nov 25, 2012)
Freelance innovation helps create permanent jobs
A new report into freelancing has found that not only do freelancers play a significant role in developing innovation, but their work also helps to create permanent jobs.
(Nov 23, 2012)
