Money News & Guides

Money & finances. General advice for IT contractors

Contracting allows you freedom to build up a varied and impressive CV and the financial rewards can be far greater on leaving permanent work.

10 Ways to make more money as a contractor

Most IT contractors don't take full advantage of the opportunities afforded to turn their companies into real small businesses. Here are 10 suggestions.

Mortgages for IT Contractors

Property purchase represents a relatively secure and often very profitable investment that should be at the forefront of any IT contractor wish list when it comes to deciding on future financial goals.

Pensions simplification

'A' Day (Appointed day) arrives on 6th April 2006 and brings with it sweeping and radical changes for contractors looking to invest in a pension – either via a one-man limited company or personally.

How IT contractors can offset the 50p tax

Accountant tells CUK of the ways IT contractors can ease the pain of tax at 50p.

Contractors can avoid the 60% tax rate

£100K+ contractors to feel the effects of no personal allowance, says IFA.

National Insurance – a contractor’s guide

A guide to NICs payable by limited company and umbrella contractors.

Filing exemption is a fix for something that ain’t broke

Why contractors should oppose the simpler filing regime for micro-business, by Safe Collections.

Contractor tax returns – explained

Sole trader or Ltd? There are hard and fast rules when declaring to HMRC.

Ten investment tips for smarter returns

Expert nuggets to help contractors turn their investments into golden opportunities.

What the Eurozone crisis means for contractor mortgages

It’s all Greek to me!...How could the Eurozone crisis impact contractor finances?

What the Eurozone crisis means for contractor pensions

Contractor Money's second guide for contractors, as stock market based investments suffer extreme volatility and UK gilts yields plummet to historic lows.

Five steps to a prosperous 2012 as a contractor

Contractors’ IFA shares his top tips for financial security this year, and then some.

Final steps to a prosperous 2012 as a contractor

Contractors' IFA continues his tips on making your money go further than last year.

Is your freelance business ready for the tax year-end?

Clock is ticking for the self-employed to legally and ethically save tax.

When your client stops paying you promptly

How contractors can respond to a regular client who starts paying irregularly, or not at all.

Mortgages, Pensions and ISAs

Contract mortgage applications at a two-year high

More contractors climbing on the property ladder isn't just good for the economy.

Why now may be too late to top-up contractor pensions

For some contractors, the incoming pensions cap is already as good as here, writes IFA Tony Harris.

Contractors could be missing out on 69% tax relief

Property isn’t the safe investment it once was, writes IFA Tony Harris, despite contractors relying on it for retirement.

Why contractors won’t agree that ISAs don’t work

Sheltering funds from the taxman is incentive enough for some, writes ISA expert Tony Harris.

Contractors can cut the tax take on pension funds

IFA: If you know the drawbacks, new drawdown rules can safely preserve more of your wealth.

Contractor mortgage-hopefuls don’t need three years’ accounts

Trading history for the self-employed is a home ownership barrier that contractors can easily overcome – IFA.

AWR isn’t mortgage material for umbrella contractors

No name – no deal, say wary lenders, unsure of umbrella working under the AWR.

How to pick a good investment

Low cost funds clearly have the edge over high costs funds if it’s all about return.

Fear of a cap on pension tax relief is worse for the inert

IFA: High earning contractors should act now to soften a potential blow on March 21st.

Contractors need not accept variable mortgage rate hikes

Act today or join the thousands of homeowners facing steeper repayments tomorrow.

Budget Analysis for Contractors

Budget 2011: an IT contractor’s financial review

What the Budget means for you, by contractor money expert Tony Harris. Part 1: ISAs, pensions and sin taxes.

Budget 2011: an IT contractor’s financial review

What the Budget means for you, by contractor money expert Tony Harris. Part 2: Mortgages, reliefs and investments.

Money News

Contractors shrug off house market slowdown

IFA: Perfect storm isn’t stopping more freelancers from navigating the home ownership maze.

May 9, 2012
Time runs out for traditional VAT filing

HMRC accused of making a nonsense of 'Digital by Default.'

Apr 3, 2012
Tax relief cap concerns advisers to self-employed

'Closing open-ended reliefs could make self-employment no longer viable for many.'

Mar 28, 2012
Budget 2012 – IT contractor tax rates and reliefs

Accounting experts and an IFA crunch Osborne's figures to reveal what they mean for you.

Mar 22, 2012
How Budget 2012 could hit contractors' pockets

IFA’s personal take on what contractors should expect from Osborne.

Mar 14, 2012
Call to extend childcare vouchers to self-employed

Freelancers and the self-employed are working parents too, chancellor reminded.

Mar 13, 2012
Contractor mortgage claims 'must match tax return details'

HMRC investigations loom for contractors who inflated their income to get a mortgage - IFA. 

Feb 21, 2012
Tax expert issues alert over offshore ‘gifts’

Harry Redknapp’s win might come to pass as an own goal for contractors with an offshore stash.

Feb 15, 2012

Contractor's Questions

Contractors' Questions: Are my pension shares duds?

Expert aid for a freelancer whose new pension shares are pointing downwards.

Contractors' Questions: Can I duck the NI rise?

Tip for a contractor wanting to avoid the higher rate of national insurance.

Contractors' Questions: How do I switch my ISA?

Financial advice for IT contractors wanting an ISA with a higher return.

Contractors' Questions: Can I claim JSA while contracting?

Freelancers are entitled to benefits if they work less than 16 hours a week, says PCG.

Contractors' Questions: How does the 2010 Budget treat company cars?

Tax advisers demystify changes to the rules for company cars, van and fuel.

Contractors' Questions: When can I charge interest for late payment?

Legal expert on when to take an interest in the late payment law.

Contractors' Questions: How to invoice clients in the EU?

Tax expert helps a non-VAT freelancer being told off over invoices.

Contractors' Questions: Does late payment void my contract?

Legal aid for a contractor being told to blame the economy for not getting paid.

Contractors' Questions: What are my pensions options?

IFA on how contractors can add to a pension pot or start a nest egg from scratch.

Contractors' Questions: What about pensions as a couple?

IFA says it's never too late for contractor couples to talk about pensions.

Contractors' Questions: Can my client refuse to pay?

An IT contractor in legal bother may be able to a launch a claim of his own.

Contractors' Questions: How to invest my company's leftover cash?

IFA on how to make the most of money left in contractor business accounts.

Contractors’ Questions: Why so few mortgage options?

IFA helps an unsure ‘Ltd’ contractor coming to the end of fixed repayments.

Contractors’ Questions: Where’s best to invest abroad?

Investment tips for a UK contractor hoping to profit in spite of the falling pound.

Contractors’ Questions: What if my debt collection agency gives up?

Legal aid for an IT contractor chasing the chasers of his unpaid invoices.

Contractors’ Questions: Is my agent’s RPO firm a legit way to get paid?

Reassurance for an IT contractor whose agent isn’t liable to pay him.

Contractors’ Questions: Can our company buy assets for my pension?

IFA helps an IT contractor eyeing a French holiday home as his nest egg.

Contractors’ Questions: How to deal with unpaid invoices?

Expert aid for when IT services suppliers are left out-of-pocket.

Contractors’ Questions: How to pay tax on a 'one-off' IT contract?

'Even just dipping your toe into IT contracting has tax consequences.'

Tax Tables

Tax tables and allowances 2011/ 2012

A guide to the Inland Revenue Taxes and Allowances for 2011. Includes NI, Corporation Tax and Personal tax rates.

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