Companies are ‘still stalling on hiring decisions,’ but the knock-on negative appetite for IT contractors is now reducing, month-on-month.

Not reinventing the wheel is fine for just 5% of the business community; for the remaining vast majority, it’ll just perpetuate abject unfairness.

What the Tories and Labour claim they would refrain from unveiling -- like an emergency Budget, is currently all that UK contracting has to look forward to.

HMRC says that where car allowance payments have been or will be made for use of a qualifying vehicle, they may now benefit from a higher amount of disregard.

Skims, scams and schemes likely to land you in hot water with HMRC be like…

A new probe by the taxman might trigger you to work in the ‘Prefer Not to Say’ sector. Assuming you give any answer at all.

The Liberal Democrats’ deputy leader says the ‘IR35 scandal’ is part of the 'raw deal' for the self-employed, in line with calls by FCSA, cross-party MPs, and now IPSE.

FCSA: With General Election 2024 just 34 days away, no party with skin in the game can afford to ignore the burgeoning temporary labour market, and its 5.4million votes.

There’s a twist to IR35 reform but if parity matters, there’s also a rub, as there isn’t ‘any government department’ immune to the OPW rules.

Voting has started as to whether the contractor sector wants to wake up to Sir Keir Starmer or Rishi Sunak in No 10 on July 5th.

A supposedly US firm is trying to fleece UK umbrella companies by seeking an initial line of credit for 'phantom' contractors, with convincing nods like ‘due diligence,’ IR35, and HMRC-risk.

A first-person account of a Teams call with a scammer, which hopefully proves third time’s a charm.

Top 10 considerations ahead of you working from the UK for a company based wholly overseas.

Contractor advisers: ‘If there was ever a hint or wake-up call to get due diligence in place now, this is it’ -- so ‘ignore it at your peril.’

Contractors ‘strongly advised’ to pull out of four avoidance schemes, newly ‘named and shamed’ by HMRC and accused of ‘destroying lives’.

Contrary to popular belief there’s actually a few ways to sweeten the bitter pill of moving from limited to umbrella. Or if not sweeten, make palatable.

The idea that the former midfielder can take the ban (not the ball) on the chin (not his head), is probably wishful thinking.

Replies to MPs not according with the status struggles we see day-to-day is proof that the taxman no longer lives in the real world.

Unlike demand, rates are holding up even as engagers seemingly resort to every trick in the book not to splurge on talent.

It’s essential to value your tech expertise but it’s wise to factor in budgets, trends, and tomorrow, too.

Complexities abound, but nevertheless running a UK limited company business from sunnier climes is indeed entirely possible.

More ‘due diligence’ on umbrella companies is useful - but the truth is that we need regulation and enforcement for things to actually change.

Five schemes of varying levels of sophistication get newly ‘named and shamed’, and three others are put under HMRC stop notices.

It’s been 17 years since they first struck, but the MSC rules getting a guidance refresh should help the contractors of today ‘understand, identify, and respond.’

How to politely place ‘Do Not Cross’ lines around your business, so ‘You Shall Not Pass’ achieves respect.

There’s no shortcut to the long, complex process of making contractor umbrella companies compliant, safe and viable.

Government claims to accept PAC’s recommendations despite one recommendation stemming from fears the taxman’s OPW approach puts off legitimate business activity.

Next time you hear the phrase the ‘party of business,’ you’d be forgiven for asking ‘which party is that then?’

This stance as an agency boss on regulating umbrella companies will banish me from the Christmas card list of the big staffing bodies.

Systematic issues plague the contractor umbrella market, making tools an inadequate fix and the devils to beware numerous.

A life coach shares top tips on turning stressful contract or client situations into water off a duck’s back.

The unfortunate, disorientating, guinea pig-like experience of Richard Alcock is grounds for government to ‘seriously consider other options’ -- IR35 advisers.

Buried in the government-speak, the worrying signs are that UK contracting is looking at the sister of CEST, and a new avoidance mission for HMRC.

It’s far past time for forceful action to purge the unscrupulous from the umbrella industry. But this government’s next move is probably to pass the buck.

Receiving a fixed regular fee irrespective of work done is now enough to satisfy the ‘uncomplicated’ MoO test.

Disappointed, insulted, and back in ‘wait and see’ mode, contractor umbrella companies at least know the future is a ‘due diligence’ requirement for agencies to police.

Two cases concerning notification to HMRC have just been put to judges, and neither went in favour of the avoidance scheme provider.

Hiring fraud is becoming endemic, triggering toolkits, red-flag systems, and digital defences to keep contractors and other job-seekers safe.

An IT consultant who won on IR35 back in 2019 is told the judge got it wrong, meaning an HMRC bill of  £240,000 is still ‘hanging over’ him. 

IR35 contractual best-practice looks like this…(but just make sure to show your client/hirer too).

Money matters, but it’s not just costs to consider as an umbrella employee paying to keep your own limited company running. 

Hopes raised that despite falling further last month, IT contractor demand has now bottomed out -- ahead of a potential April-June boom.

The number of techies set to start temp roles (like our projects pipeline), turned a corner in March 2024.

In the second leg against another football pundit, HMRC has won hands down, hoisting numerous status red flags for business and contractors to beware.

A 90% cut in the dividend allowance takes the gloss of ‘a good IR35 thing likely to have very little impact.’

When the cost of reading an email wrong is avoiding a £100 late filing penalty but not the subsequent HMRC enquiry.

A tip to buy six £50 food vouchers before the tax year ends isn’t going down well with all limited company tax advisers -- for fear it may not go down well with HMRC.

Naysayers think CEST logic should be changed, but to what and based on what case law?

Now or never: PSCs who paid IR35 bills in 2019/20 have until Friday to submit ‘overpayment relief claims.’

Avoid looking the fool later on, by checking now how yesterday’s new hourly rate of £11.44 affects your minimum assignment rate.

HMRC no longer being free to continue on as a ‘non-ministerial department’ is important enough to warrant a place in our manifesto – IPSE.

Been benched for three months? Then our award-winning CV and LinkedIn profile-writing service could be yours, totally free of charge.

Winning work expert Matt Craven shares his new quick and dirty tips -- and previews a secret offer for ContractorUK readers not feeling very Warren Buffet.

UK contractor service providers will be recognised in 23 distinct categories. Who will you root for from Aug 1st, and cheer on in London on Nov 13th?

SG Accounting tots up how much thresholds would need to rise to make the government’s tax cut make work pay (in real-terms).

Seven ‘new’ schemes which the taxman says contractors should withdraw from were ‘named and shamed’ in 2024’s first quarter.

Nine in 10 hiring managers say the legal line between internal employee and contingent worker needs greater clarity.

A workplace should do right by its entire workforce but where it doesn’t, an experienced life coach is essential for your wellbeing, productivity and emotional health as a contractor.

Recruiters are right to warn IT contractors that the days of looking for squiggles to find evidence of contract acceptance are over.

The politically-motivated changes for non-domiciled individuals are arguably Spring Budget’s biggest tax certainty of the future.

Frustrated CEOs, candidates waiting longer, and concerned agents asking if last month’s ‘uncertainty’ is a ‘sign of harder times to come.’

SThree: The narrative that Artificial Intelligence will displace us human labour organisers is now outdated, because it’s already bedding in as an ally in workforce and recruitment processes.

'Let’s just hope the wait’s been worth it' - and other sentiments ahead of brolly regulation ‘next steps’ being finally revealed by officials.

It's hard not to condemn the government as presiding over a series of missed opportunities with contractors paying the price.

Like all of us, contractors need to know the difference between everyday stresses and too much to bear alone.

Chancellor has nothing to say on the ‘onerous and impractical’ HMRC framework linked to ‘deterring legitimate economic activity.’

Freelancer Financials homes in on Jeremy Hunt’s key announcements affecting UK housing, including implications for your own bricks and mortar.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt delivers a ‘let down’ to PSCs, but umbrella contractors pocket £900 a year plus a (recycled) promise of regulation.

Despite loud heckles, Jeremy Hunt manages to deliver a Spring Budget for ‘lower taxes…and long-term growth.’

The UK housing market desperately needs a fillip, but chancellor Jeremy Hunt won’t roll out the very big guns until just before contractors go to the polls.

An analysis of the Upper Tribunal upholding the FTT’s ruling that ESL failed to operate an overarching contract.

200,000 out of 360,000 contractors no longer being limited, indicates MPs are right to worry HMRC’s approach to the OPW rules ‘deters economic activity.’

Like employees, drivers are on course to be a winner on Wednesday, potentially unlike some PSCs who risk being lumped in with vapers.

Despite being legally required to, the taxman taking offline those he ‘named and shamed’ just a short time ago doesn’t give contractors the protection they want - and need.

Top seven year-end tax planning tips contractors can follow right now, to minimise their next HMRC bill.

Contractor accountants fear they’ll have no choice other than to join the government agency in putting up prices for Personal Service Companies. 

Lawful or Laughable? Security reforms on the UK register of companies shouldn’t push up prices – just as they shouldn’t be a joke.

Candidate availability at what feels like a three-year high isn’t causing cuts to pay or personnel, even if the ‘r-word’ can historically hurt at renewal.

In a world where limited company tax efficiencies are increasingly few and far between, directors cannot afford to miss this potent £60,000 threshold.

Thinking ‘I’ve Got This’ is too often a sign you’re a bad interviewee -- way before the interview has even started.

Trucks popular with the self-employed will stay as they are, with even new legislation to keep DCPUs in the tax-friendly lane.

The taxman isn’t getting much credit for taking the number of cases which CEST has been tested against from 24 to 36.

Knock it all you want but Check Employment Status for Tax does exactly what it says on the tin.

Resolved: whether limited company contractors should call themselves ‘CEO,’ ‘MD’ on their CV, or just stick to a ‘functional’ tech title.

Forget the 2021 inquiry by MPs 'How Contracting Should Work,' here's 'Why Contracting Isn't Working' in 2024.

The prolonged pursuit of the Daybreak and Radio 5 Live host is understandably taking its toll on the presenter’s mental health.

Chartered accountant Anthony Mellor writes to Jeremy Hunt to appeal for fairness, justice, and compassion for taxpayers affected by the loan charge.

In an insult to ten lives lost, the Treasury’s financial secretary is reading from discredited scripts, when he’s not looking for a soundbite or brushing off MPs’ concerns with claims of scaremonge

IR35 is meant to deter disguised employment, not genuine freelancing, but something has gone badly wrong -- as Adams, Street-Porter and Moore are now finding out.

Yolo Wealth gives a guarded welcome to the chancellor potentially offering a new way to buy an initial chunk of UK company shares tax-free.

Despite an outcry over his effective capital gains rate of just 23%, our PM has set a good example of efficient tax planning.

Our latest confidence index shows contractor daily fees doing well, despite short-term faith in their own ventures dwindling -- IPSE.

The clock is loudly ticking for contractors to review their allowances -- before HMRC calls time for another year.

Tech sector’s ‘weak’ start to 2024 coincides with IT contractor hiring missing the usual New Year bounce back.

What the IT contractor jobs market currently looks like, and why. 

The Loose Women host talks ‘David and Goliath’ to explain the awful, horrific, £200,000 experience of three tribunals and still no HMRC admission that it lost and she has won.

A technical consultation on the April 6th off-payroll set-off is underway, so contractors can have a say. But be quick.

Top 5 reasons why off-payroll liability clauses on contractors are very likely worth the paper they’re printed on.

Landing a software development contract never looked so different, so remove your interview/contract blinkers and gear up.

Where will you spend, save and succeed in tax year 2024-25; and crucially, how?