Contractors' Questions: Which tax code if inside IR35 in the public sector?

Off-payroll rules expert helps a contractor wanting to set his agency straight.

Taylor Review cost taxpayers £74,000

Taxpayer-funded employment probe paid one employer about £50,000.

Hammond puts feelers out for Autumn Budget 2017

Chancellor tipped to tour the north, just as taxpayers tell the Treasury what he should do.

Taylor Review cost taxpayers £74,000

Taxpayer-funded employment probe paid one employer about £50,000.

One-man band triumphs after being denied tax credit

'Get real,' blasts a judge, declaring Dragons' Den-style business plans as unnecessary to be 'self-employed.'

Boom in IT contractor numbers

Revealed: why contracting in IT is growing at almost twice the rate of IT employment.

Contractors' Questions: Are refreshments claimable via my 'Ltd'?

How to have a brew on your company without landing in hot water with HMRC.

IR35 reform in the Private Sector: waiting for the other shoe to drop

Only a matter of time until the off-payroll rules are rolled out to cover all PSCs.

Contractors' Questions: Can I bring forward when my company pays me?

Couple of cashflow options open to a 'Ltd' contractor who's thinking laterally.

HSBC and RBS shed scores of IT contractors

Hundreds of temporary techies get their marching orders, as banks' cutbacks kick in.

HMRC's latest moves: decoded for IT contractors

Hypocrisy, confusion and disguised remuneration make up a busy tax month.

'Pronounced' fall in online IT job openings

But the significant albeit small dip doesn't apply to freelance opportunities.

HMRC using 'all means' to rake in VAT during enquiries

Half the extra tax taken when SMEs get investigated is from VAT non-compliance.

Top 4 Business & Career Opportunities for Veterans

One of the hardest part of civilian life for the veteran is what to do in terms of a career. The longer a veteran is in the military, the harder it seems to assimilate into non-military life. For some of us, we seem to think that our veterans are limited to their employment. Many opt to become law enforcement, the closest thing we have to offer them that is close to a life they are used to. Others want something different, maybe even something that they feel is calmer or something they are in control of. We have curated a list of the top 4 business and career opportunities that a veteran can do well in.

Own Your Own Franchise

After living a life that tells you what to do for the better part of your day, wanting to own your business is a dream for any veteran. Starting from scratch can be difficult and we are fortunate that there are franchise opportunities for vets.  With a franchise, you don’t have to build a brand and you have some control over how the business is run. Of course, you have to match what corporate wants but there is some resemblance of freedom in going a little further with the business. It can be a costly startup so be sure to investigate as to whether your franchise of choice is offering discounts for veterans. Some franchises offer some sort of percentage discount or a flat fee discount.

Enter the Medical Field

Often when we think of veterans, we automatically assume they were working the front lines. The reality is, there are lots of different jobs within the military. One of the more popular and well known are the medical units. Transitioning into civilian life can be easy when you opt to take your medical on-the-field training to the local hospitals and doctor’s offices by being a nurse.  The fortunate aspect is that veterans are already educated and trained and are easily placed. Quite a few opt to work in VA hospitals to support their brothers and sisters who are in need.

Become a Government Contractor

Some veterans were in a technical field within the military. IT, network security, and engineering are important aspects within the military and are easily transferrable when re-entering a civilian life. The government routinely contracts out for live support, logistics, transportation, medical, and administrative work. By law, 3% of all contracts must be awarded to small businesses owned and operated by a veteran. If you have been working in those fields for 5-20 years, you will have a lot of expertise in the government sector that will be a huge benefit for you to land that contract. There are websites to help you, such as Vet First Contracting Program, learn how to get your small business as an independent contractor verified and assist you with how to bid on government contracts.

Open Your Own Retail Shop

A sure-fire way to embrace the career you want is to open your own retail shop. Retail is considered the 4^th most popular venue for veteran entrepreneurs and part of the popularity is due to the support veterans receive from other veterans. It’s no small secret that there is a brother/sisterhood amongst veterans and families of veterans. When a veteran opens their shop, and includes some sort of military theme, veterans and their families will want to lend their support and shop often. It can be a costly startup so be sure to look for small business loans designed for veterans and get the backing of your family and friends.

Whether you are the veteran, or a loved one of a veteran, you know how important it is that they have some sort of career in place at home. Above are just a few options, there is so much more available to the veteran if you research and find those opportunities.

Taxman talks of 'off-payroll rules in the private sector'

HMRC's denials of change might still not convince non-rocket scientist contractors.  

5 Tips for Staying Motivated at Work

While everyone understands that work is what brings the money in, some people have a hard time staying motivated during a long eight to ten-hour day at the office. Everyone has their days where they are extremely motivated and get a ton done and then there are the days when you just feel blah and won’t to do nothing but hit the door at 5 pm. If you are finding yourself having many more blah days than days where you are extremely motivated, this article is for you. With that in mind, read on below for a few of the top tips to help you stay motivated when you’re at the office.

Grab a Quick Cup of Joe

There is nothing better than office coffee machines to keep you motivated. If your office has one, then take a quick break when you start to feel like you are lagging behind, and grab a quick cup of Joe. You would be surprised at how much of a pick-me-up a cup of coffee can be in the middle of a shift.

Take a Quick Walk Around the Building

Sometimes it’s just a matter of getting out and getting some fresh air. If you find yourself sleepy and unmotivated in the middle of the day, clock out for a break and take a quick stroll around your office building. Often the fresh air and brisk walk will give you the motivation you need to make it through the rest of the day with ease.

Take a Bathroom Break

Taking a fast bathroom break to splash some water on your face or just get away from your desk for a few minutes can work wonders. Instead of just trying to ride it out until the 5 pm clock out time, take a bathroom break, replenish your energy and get motivated to get the job done before it’s time to clock out instead.

Get Enough Sleep

One of the main reasons for many people being un-motivated at the office is that they aren’t getting enough sleep the night before. You can’t expect to stay up partying all night and then be motivated to get through the day at work on Monday morning. Make sure that you get the amount of sleep required to get you through the workday and you will be much better off in the long run.

Stay Positive

Phrases like “Ugh, I hate this job” and “I can’t wait until this day is over” or “I’m so tired and bored,” will do nothing to help you stay motivated and do your job well. Instead, write out your goals to stay motivated and hang them on the wall above your desk. Make sure to think positive thoughts and even speak them out loud if they help you to stay motivated to get the job done.

These are just a few of the top tips to help you stay positive when you are feeling unmotivated at the office. Instead of being negative, stay positive, make sure to get enough sleep and take a trip to the office coffee machine when needed and you should be motivated every day from 9 to 5.

(Photo by johnhope14 / CC BY)

Off-payroll rules' extension 'is PSCs' top concern'

'Inevitable' roll-out of April's IR35 reforms worry half of contractors.

Small IT companies shrug off Brexit's impact

Techies in business-as-usual mode about the UK's exit, before a post-2019 bounce.

GDPR Training: What to Consider

Who's going for training on GDPR; why it's useful and how to decide on a course.

Contractors' Questions: Is UK accommodation claimable if I live abroad?

SDC, not his wife, seems to be the main issue for a contractor inbound from South Africa.

Contractors handed official IP-Brexit guide

Reassurance (of sorts) for those whose designs or creations are protected.

IT contractor admits IR35 legal challenge now unlikely

Campaigner concedes that the courts might not be how IR35 gets changed.

HMRC 'wrongly issued fines to self-assessors, repeatedly'

A million individuals reportedly hounded by £100 penalties, over and over again.

Dark day when we put bug hunters in the dock

Legal proceedings against IT security researchers is how to put the pubic at risk.

Contractors' Questions: Is PAYE or 'Ltd' best for public contracts?

Accounting boss tries to help a contractor, without using numbers.

Contractors' confidence sinks under IR35 reform

Record low in optimism blamed on Brexit, the off-payroll rules and the rules' feared extension.

HMRC 'in off-payroll rule dodge via consultancies'

Taxman not denying using private firms to get around rules he made for public bodies.

Traders log-on to get official VAT help

Three new online sessions by the taxman aim to demystify Value Added Tax.

No summer slowdown in IT contractor demand

The traditionally challenging 'holiday month' was buoyant for IT contractors.

New data bill gives green light to GDPR

EU privacy rule among a host of new protections for Britain in the digital age.

IT contractors want EU freedom of movement

Temporary techies say Brexit deal must keep Britain in the single market.

ContractorUK Fantasy Football League 2017/18 – Win £250!

They think it's all over! It will be by the 11th, when the season starts. Sign up now!

Contractor's guide to working outside IR35 – Part Two

Twenty things PSCs can do at work to stop IR35 from getting a look-in.

Contractors' Questions: How to handle SEO client's bad practices?

Three acceptable ways forward for a Plan B contractor whose first work 'wasn't acceptable.'

Dependent contractor status 'would add to the confusion'

Contracting group firms up its concerns about replacing the category of 'worker.'

One-man bands 'far behind' in retirement saving

And even half of those who aren't, don't know how big their pension pot is -- survey.

Contractors, should you move (back) to permanent employment?

What to consider before 'joining the dark side,' by an IT contractor who's been tempted.