Contracting Consulting Freelancing Made Easy

The budget is being released today (March 21st 2012) by the chancellor, George Osborne, but many IT contractors are asking, “How will it affect me?”. One source has said that the chancellor’s main aim in this year’s budget is to stimulate economic growth in the hope that we will see the UK start to pull [...]

The 2012 Budget is always a cause of much rumour, gossip and speculation.  There has been a lot of talk about the 2012 Budget and how its plans might help the current UK economy. Tax There are two main areas that are set to affect freelancers, contractors and consultants.  The first is tax.  With the [...]

The Small Business Action Report was recently published which highlighted that many small businesses are wasting money.  How? On tax payments that they don’t need to be paying. In fact billions each year are being wasted.  Small firms can make savings by utilising allowances, tax credits and support schemes.  But many are ignoring this. The [...]

HMRC have recently announced plans to review the system of Business Record Checks and have postponed the scheme for the time being, in the face of numerous complaints from businesses who felt the system was too strict and stifling. The idea behind business record checks was that HMRC would be allowed to make random checks [...]

Whether you are looking into becoming a contractor full time and would like to give it a go before making the leap completely, or would just like to earn some extra money on the side using your skills, contracting or freelancing as a second job can be a very successful way of earning extra cash [...]

As a contractor or freelancer you will need to make sure your accounts are always up to date for tax reasons as well as for a number of other reasons. If you want to apply for a loan or mortgage the bank will want to see your accounts, any new customers may want to see [...]

Today is the government’s official deadline for filing your self assessment tax return if you are self employed or a contractor working through your own limited company. With repeated warnings sent out to contractors throughout the year reminding them of the paper return deadline in October and then the January 31st deadline today, there should [...]

One of the most important legal rules for contractors and freelance worker is IR35, which affects the tax conditions for every contractor. This can be difficult to understand so here is a very basic explanation to help you to know where you stand. IR35 is a rule brought in my the government to help bring [...]

If you are a contractor, freelancer or consultant the chances are you are aware that January 31st is the deadline for your self-assessment.  A lot of freelancers and contractors choose to do their books and accounts themselves but it is important that you are aware of a few things. It is vital that you complete [...]

Being a contractor can mean a certain degree of flexibility.  Freelancing, contracting and consulting will give you the freedom that a permanent job simply won’t.  However, the downside is that you are the one looking out for yourself.  That means, should you fall ill or become unfit for work, you could stand to lose out. [...]