Contractors' guide to dividend waivers

Explainer for limited company shareholders on foregoing their right to part of the next dividend.

Dividend waiver template for contractors

A free and downloadable deed of waiver for shareholders to add their details to.

How umbrella company contractors can understand their payslip

Overview of the staple document when being paid through an umbrella company.

Fearing insolvency? Bite the CVL bullet, and stop putting good money after bad

Even some free advice has got to be better than the head-in-the-sand approach.

Giant group hacked in suspected ransomware attack

As a leading umbrella company is undone by hackers, at least a dozen other brollies are hit by 'attack of the clones.'

Giant hack: Advice for umbrella company contractors with personal data potentially exposed

A lawyer’s advisory on what ContractorUK readers can do, check and ask, when their information is in the hands of hackers.

IR35 experts clash over PGMOL rehearing verdict

Not many advisers are in agreement about what the football referees’ status replay means for contractors.

Contractors, IR35 is another reason to ensure your personal branding is on-message

More than 60% of contractors are already benefiting from ‘brand value/reputation.’ Isn’t it time you prepared for Autumn too?

Can you use a business car for personal use?

The age-old perk of putting a vehicle on your company is more fiction than fact.

Contractor guide to your balance sheet

Introducing your very own trusty tool, to show what your limited company owns – and owes.

Contractors’ Questions: How to invest £25,000?

A review of personal investment options, ranging from garages and lock-ups to ISAs and 'games of chance.'

Contractors’ Question: Contracting in Germany, am I a Freiberufler or Selbstständig?

Clarifications for an eagle-eyed reader who, to be a freelancer, will need a degree.

Reforming the UK’s data watchdog: an opportunity, or a risk of fixing what ain’t broke?

Contractors can step in to help take data protection in a new direction. If that’s wise.

Covid-19 insolvency aid is ending, but limited companies can wean themselves off first

Help for distressed directors will wind-up on Sep 30th, yet the floodgates shouldn’t wash over you on Oct 1st.

Contractors, the loan charge refund deadline is almost pressing

September 30th is a cut-off many can’t afford to ignore. Not that HMRC is making successful  applications easy.

PGMOL Court of Appeal case: football referees' IR35 status ‘requires a replay’

Under a sort of drop-ball decision, PGMOL will restart at the FTT because judges committed fouls on Mutuality and Control.

What is the best pension via an umbrella company?

When working through an umbrella company, here’s how to secure a nest egg that can pay dividends for you.

Nightmare clients as an IT contractor: when line managers go bad

Revealed: Three personality-types that make engagers of IT contractors difficult, overbearing, even notorious.

Does taking an inside IR35 contract affect future mortgage applications?

Freelancer Financials on why your off-payroll status does not impact your chances of a home loan.

Can I run multiple businesses under one limited company?

Top tips for contractors who want to add a string or two to their existing PSC bow.

Back to its old tricks? HMRC reverts to PAYE compliance checks, the original IR35 enquiry route

Returning to a path well-trodden, the taxman is policing PSCs’ payrolls, potentially as a 'way-in’ to probing IR35.

There’s no formal IR35 process in place here, six in 10 employers admit

Mid-sized clients exposed as treating off-payroll rules as a covid add-on, with most not tracking or tracing contractors for IR35.

Top 5 benefits of using a recruitment agency to find your next contract

Find out how agencies can take the hassle out of your contract search. 

Can I claim for pre-trading expenditure from my limited company?

To unlock start-up reimbursements, remember the key cuts-offs: four years, seven years, six months.

Contractors’ Questions: How to freelance from Spain if I can’t be an ‘autonomo’?

A management firm could sweeten things for a contractor set to have his tax cherry fought over.

Dividend tax increase in April 2022: overview for contractors

From April 2022, contractor-directors must fork out £450, or more, to HMRC.

IT contractor demand 'remained very high' in August

Billings, shortages, and rates are still all but off the charts in the temp tech sector.

Contractors, this is NOT a dodgy umbrella company

Payments, pensions and deductions not being to your liking doesn’t (always) mean they’re unlawful.

Contractors’ Questions: If an accountant asked me to approve my tax return, who’s liable if HMRC finds a mistake?

Contractors can look to their accountants for redress if there’s a penalty, but HMRC won’t help.

'Galling' dividend tax increase shows government is 'blinkered' to micro-companies

Boris Johnson and Rishi Sunak accused of not understanding the tiny enterprises which the economy needs.

What is a professional clearance letter?

The lowdown on the document contractors need to formally change accountant.

Boris Johnson unveils shock dividend tax increase, 'hitting contractor sector hard'

Umbrella contractors are the worst off, but the PM’s new 1.25% levy is set to sting almost all in UK contracting.

Professionalism With a Purpose: 9 Jobs that Make a Difference

They say if you love what you do, you’ll never work a day in your life. For some, that may mean working in a career that allows them to travel the world. Others might value making a high paycheck. But for a select few, professions that improve the lives of others are the only careers that interest them. Jobs that engage the community and directly impact the people within are both noble and rewarding professions. 

Are you ready to pursue a career helping others? Here are nine jobs that make a difference. 

Nurse 

Registered nurses treat patients with various medical conditions. These medical professionals administer medication, monitor recovery progress, and educate people on healthy living habits. Nurses are often the first to see patients when they enter a hospital and work closely with them throughout their healing journey. Most medical staffing jobs allow prospects to form meaningful connections with their patients and offer emotional support. For those interested in becoming a registered nurse, start by connecting with a medical staffing marketplace. That way, you can search for both local and long-distance opportunities. 

Human services assistant 

If you want to advocate for people who need assistance, whether physical, mental, or economic, a career as a human services assistant is for you. Assistants work with those in need to match them with the right services to help them overcome obstacles. Standard fields you will work in include rehabilitation, social services, and psychology. 

Veterinarian 

Vets help both pets and their owners by providing life-saving medical care to sick or injured animals. To become a trained practitioner, you’ll need to commit to about eight years in higher education. But once you establish your practice, you’ll be rewarded with thankful patients and a considerable salary. 

Midwife 

There aren’t many professions as intimate and rewarding as helping bring new life into the world. Midwives work closely with expecting parents to guide them through the pregnancy and birthing process. As a health advocate and health professional, you will be in the delivery room to provide various support. 

Early childhood educator 

Teachers are probably one of the most valuable workers in society. Working with children during critical developmental milestones helps shape future leaders, professionals, and community members. ECE careers exist in preschool and private childcare. 

Nonprofit executive director 

As the nonprofit leader, executive directors handle everything from approving budgets to fostering relationships with donors. Nonprofit workers must be highly passionate about helping the community and tirelessly working to collect funds through grants and donations. Although the work is demanding, executive directors can rest easy knowing their work is directly improving the lives of others. 

Paramedic

Paramedics are medical responders who are the first to arrive when someone is sick or injured. Paramedics are professionally trained to administer life-saving treatments, including CPR and stabilizing injuries. A fast-paced and high-intensity career as a paramedic is perfect for those seeking career opportunities rooted in helping others.

Community health worker 

In a hands-on career, community health workers help their community by developing educational resources and coordinating a health education program. By providing access to healthcare, community workers empower others to make positive, long-lasting improvements to their health. 

Software developer

A career in software development might not appear to make a positive impact on others. But by working with health care companies and education institutions, developers can develop and release apps and new software that improves access to services. Some improvements revolve around patient care, renewable energy systems, and educational resources. 

Final thoughts 

Finding a career that improves the lives of others will supply you with the fuel needed to prosper in your chosen profession. Ready to take the philanthropic approach to your career goals? With this guide, you’ll be able to pursue a job that is both rewarding and valuable.

Eliminating “Be Your Own Boss” Chaos: 6 Organizational Tips for the Self-Employed

Being your own boss can be a nightmare for all the same reasons that it can be a blessing.  When you take the plunge and become self-employed, you also become responsible for all of the administrative and management tasks your boss was doing for you before. 

It can be both stressful and liberating to know that your success rests on you. Here are six organizational tips for the self-employed to help you cut down on “be your own boss” chaos. 

Eliminate clutter

Going self-employed for the first time, you might be blown away by how much paper you rack up. Finding one specific invoice in a sea of clutter on your desk is a quick way to make your new entrepreneurial venture into a major headache. 

You can work online where possible to reduce paper clutter. Digital organizational tools can help you stay on track and make sure nothing slips through the cracks. For example, you can handle all of your new business mail using a virtual P.O. box. Virtual P.O. boxes intercept and scan your mail for you, meaning you can decide what happens to your mail with the touch of a button on your smartphone or computer. Using this tool, you save money and time while also ensuring no correspondence goes unchecked.

You can also invest in CRM software for keeping track of invoices and reviews. For sensitive documents, you can use free services such as Google Workspace. 

Establish a routine

Gone are your days of working the 9-to-5 beat, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t set some work hours. You should figure out how to organize your daily routine for maximum efficiency and productivity.

Start each day with a structured plan that outlines the day’s most important activities. Estimate how long each task should take to complete. Add about 20% to your overall estimate to account for delays or breaks.

Planning out your day and padding in some extra time allows you to take things at your own pace. This way, everything gets done without feeling like you’re constantly rushing from one task to the next. 

Use a calendar

You mustn’t lose track of the long-term while you’re planning out each day’s tasks. Using a calendar can help you visualize your long-term goals and contextualize your work assignments with all of your life events, such as birthdays and holidays. 

Every entrepreneur works more effectively during certain parts of the day. If you work better in the morning, then use your calendar to schedule critical meetings before noon. On the other hand, if you usually crash at around 2 pm, use your calendar layout to plan around the slump.

Avoid procrastination

Procrastination causes many self-employed individuals to fail at running a profitable business. Use the following steps to help you beat procrastination. 

Start by setting goals that motivate you. If your dreams don’t make you excited, then you should go back to the drawing board. The purpose of goal setting is to find a vision that makes you want to jump out of bed each morning. 

Set deadlines to goals. You’ll successfully overcome procrastination tendencies if your goals motivate you and you’re excited about getting them done on time.

Finally, reward yourself for finishing goals and tasks on time. This reward will help you get off the couch if you ever feel like letting your work slide into tomorrow. 

You’ll feel more organized the more you avoid procrastination and see your goals getting done.

Plan one day ahead

Planning out your daily tasks in the morning can leave you feeling like you’ve jumped into the ocean with no clear idea of how to swim or which way to go. Instead, plan the next day’s activities the previous night. 

This method is suitable for bypassing the morning fog by giving you a clear plan of attack to get started. 

It also helps you navigate the ups and downs of each day. Project delays could still leave you out in the cold, even when padding assignments by 20% during the planning phase. Planning a day in advance allows you to get ahead of the curve. If any projects run long, you can mentally file it away as a higher priority for the next business day. 

Use a filing system

Just because you jumped ship from the office doesn’t mean you can forsake the filing. Good organization requires proper filing and indexing. Use a physical filing cabinet with labeled folders to store important documents. You can get the same job done digitally by using digital filing systems such as:

• Microsoft SharePoint
• M-Files
• Rubex

These types of tools and practices will help keep your desk and your desktop clear of clutter.

Conclusion

When you become your own boss, you trade the safety net for the freedom to do things as you like. This switch has the potential for great reward, but you won’t have the benefit of the second pair of eyes, so be vigilant and keep organized.

Cessation of accounts for limited companies

Get to grips with the prescribed procedure that PSC contractors must follow when trade stops.

Umbrella contractors, want to work in Germany? Here’s how

What Britons and EU brolly users need to know to get on-payroll in Europe’s largest economy.

Calling all contractors: the ICO wants input on when personal data goes international

A lucky legislative start means many of your data transfers are now covered by ‘adequacy.’ Yet not forever, and likely not all.

What are statutory records and why are they important?

Not complicated but necessary, these records for your limited company should be up-to-date and to hand.

Work from home policy ‘a muddle,’ Boris Johnson told

Prime minister lambasted by a former fund manager for an ‘ambiguous’ WFH stance.

Contractors' Questions: How is NIERS calculated?

An explainer on what goes into the Employer’s NICs payment to HMRC.

Halifax lending criteria: But are you a contractor, an employee or self-employed?

How the contractor-friendly bank regards you, and how many times salary it’ll lend.

What is the HMRC payment 'NIERS' on my payslip?

An overview for umbrella and agency contractors of the abbreviation that’s also a (legal) deduction.

New HMRC avoidance letters: how contractors with employers should respond

Not for the first time, scheme users are being made aware by the taxman while scheme promoters look on. So contractors, it’s time to protect your position.