Contracting News

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.