Money News & Guides

With a cost of living crisis squeezing bottom lines, the financially-savvy will check that their defences against late payment are primed.

The biggest change to the UK tax system in recent times, as explained by FreeAgent. 

The shrewd won’t skimp on a financial profiling adviser who, in turn, shouldn’t skim over the key financial areas that inform PSC workers of their worth.

A UTR number from HMRC is for life, not just for self-assessing or the imminent new tax year.

An overview to a very complex area of tax law, particularly without advice: CGT.

Explainer on escrow and how the payment platform can be used in contracting.

Overview of Scottish taxes, thresholds, and bands, plus IR35 considerations north of the border.

Seven contractor payment term essentials to help keep being paid late at bay.

Avoid any New Year headaches with your Self Assessment tax return by being aware of these dates and deadlines.

Overview of the HMRC form that shows tax paid on salary in the last year.

What your home loan prospects look like if you switch from off-payroll to employment.

Home loans expert John Yerou rounds-up what the chancellor’s moves might mean for property buyers.

Since October marks the start of the tax return season, here are some handy hints to keep in mind. 

Starling makes business banking straightforward and efficient, offering digital business accounts with no monthly fees for a standard account.

Four ways that you as the director of your own company can make a return.

Third parties now demanding those ‘never will be collected’ loans are the sting in a long tail.

Where to click on Companies to see if the reddest of red flags might be hoisted by your agency.

Top seven financial planning tips for a contractor to review to ensure the numbers stack up better in 2021.

From contractor pensions and income protection to life insurance, critical illness insurance and contractor mortgages. 

Four of the chancellor’s announcements that could alter how contractors (and their clients) do business.

The ‘bank of last resort’ is very much open for business. Talk to its manager early to secure the terms you want.

The three ducks you need to have in a row before you take a payment row before a judge.

A contractor accountant crunches the key cut-off numbers so you don’t have to.

It’s not for the faint-hearted, but it can still pay to know about CT, even if it is your adviser’s job.

Get your limited company compliant sooner rather than later, as MTD is now inevitable.

Tax-saving or extraction? Whatever your PSC’s priority, these numbers you must know.

In 2019, a ‘Letter Before Action’ is no good if your actions before the letter don’t cut it.

Allowances set by Hammond are there to be used, and not just because his IR35 grab looms.

Pitfalls. Conditions. And cake. How to avoid biting off more than you can chew with client retainers.

Working on a retainer basis? Nice work if you can get it! But beware hard graft, potentially.

Vouchers, schemes, eligibility from October? Answers in bite-size chunks for contractors with kids.

How a business bank account can benefit your contractor business. 

The contractor business model you choose could affect your mortgage application. 

PSC owners can often have to go through a more rigorous mortgage application process. 

Tax rates and allowances that contractors should be aware of this tax year. 

The one-man band who stood up to HMRC is proof it's easier if your knowledge can't be picked on.

IFA's rundown of new financial rules, and how to prosper in spite of them.

Simple guide to everything you need to know about obtaining a mortgage as a contractor.

Having a business to run - and mouths to feed - is going to be more palatable from next April.

IFA on the personal finance highs and lows of the chancellor's red book.

IFA: While the cost of cover will go up, the tax take on your buy-to-let doesn’t have to.

How contractors can cut their tax bills when dividend reform bites in 2016.

What contractors need to know about CGT ahead of possible reforms next week.

IFA analyses which political party might impact your personal finances the most.

Stop yourself sleepwalking into automatic month-on-month fines from Friday.

Your dreams and obligations may be poles apart, but knowing when to act is the key to both.

Everything you need to know about APNs, which are now in force and not to be ignored.

A trio of trusts are now ripe for contractors to review, as the taxman is about to step in.

IFA: Putting premiums through your limited company avoids enriching the taxman.

£50k-plus contractors can dodge the worst of the claw back, but the clock is ticking.

IFA: 'We're all In' adverts are aimed at employees, but potentially contractors too.

10 reasons you can’t afford to put off considering your demise.

IFA: Contractors struggling to sell-up may have an upside that's long-term and lucrative.

No signed contract? No agreed price? Fear not, says business solicitor Nigel Musgrove.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

'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.

Starling Business Banking for Contractors

Income Protection - as a contractor you are completely exposed to financial hardship in the event of even a minor illness or accident. Protect your current lifestyle with a specially tailored income protection package.

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.

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

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