Despite the massive cost-cutting measures implemented by Government bodies over the past year, the demand for public sector IT contractors appears to have levelled out according to statistics derived from the leading IT jobs boards over the past year.
[continue reading…]

A recent survey found that the majority of small company owners now look to the web to source the information they require to run and expand their businesses. So, which sites should you visit as a starting point?
[continue reading…]

A leading contractor accountancy firm has published the results of a major survey into contractors’ attitudes, based on the responses of over 1,000 limited company clients.
[continue reading…]

The UK’s leading contractor organisation, PCG, has issued some practical steps for contractors engaged by public sector bodies to follow when dealing with new ‘off payroll’ remuneration guidelines which are due to take effect in September.
[continue reading…]

An interesting survey of small companies in professional services industries highlights some of the most useful software tools available to contractors and freelancers – often for a minimal outlay
[continue reading…]

Bauer & Cottrell, which provides employment status services to limited company owners – particularly contractors, says that its first experience of HMRC’s new IR35 administration efforts was a positive one, with a client being declared free of IR35 within three weeks of a technical submission being made.
[continue reading…]

A new survey of small company owners shows how partners and spouses are a valuable, trusted, and cheap source of support.
[continue reading…]

The CIOT is the latest organisation to voice its opposition to the Government’s ‘controlling persons’ proposals, which would force organisations (both private and public) to tax consultants who currently work via their own limited companies, at source.
[continue reading…]

The UK’s biggest contractor accountancy firm has conducted a survey of 1000 of its clients to help paint a picture of an ‘average’ limited company contractor.
[continue reading…]

Industry body, PCG, has warned that Government proposals to clampdown on the use of limited companies by contractors and consultants could result in significant job losses.
[continue reading…]

Kingston University and contractors’ group, PCG, have published some interesting findings from a comprehensive study of the UK’s freelance workforce.
[continue reading…]

Companies House, the registrar of limited companies in the UK, has announced that it is to reduce its fees from October 2012, subject to Parliamentary approval.
[continue reading…]

First introduced in 2005, Community Interest Companies are limited companies run for the benefit of the community, not merely for profit. CICs are regulated via a ‘community interest test’ and ‘asset lock’ to ensure that they are run appropriately.
[continue reading…]

The second edition of the popular Contractors’ Handbook has been published. The updated edition contains expanded sections on the Agency Workers Regulations and the recent HMRC IR35 business test.
[continue reading…]

The Treasury has published a consultation document on the introduction of a General Anti-Abuse Rule (GAAR) which will target specific tax avoidance schemes, some of which may be used by professional contractors.
[continue reading…]

IT consultant, Steven Maxwell, has been jailed for 5 years following a trial which found him guilty of evading over £650,000 in tax and NICs via the use of offshore tax structures.
[continue reading…]

Companies House has embarked on a series of upgrades to its online WebFiling facility, and is inviting feedback from members of the public on how appealing its new forms are.
[continue reading…]

The controversial use of limited companies by some high profile public sector workers has resulted in new Government proposals to reduce the number of ‘off payroll’ assignments across all departments.
[continue reading…]

The new HMRC IR35 guidance, which includes 12 ‘business entity tests’ to help taxpayers establish the risk they face of an IR35 investigation, has been universally criticised by industry experts. So, where should contractors go from here?
[continue reading…]