Contracting News

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.

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.

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.

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).