December saw IT contractors’ prospects improve, just

Aside to small fluctuations contractors will welcome, the big move looks like less IR35-inspired hiring of permies.

Contractors, have you forgot company tax form CT600?

Don’t let today’s deadline obscure another that’s tied to both HMRC and your directorial duties.

New Year, Same Old IR35 taxman

Leaf-turning by a blinkered, intransigent HMRC is an unlikely prospect -- at least on IR35.

Loan Charge 2019 wins its own APPG

A cross-party group of peers and MPs will probe the April tax’s impact on contractors.

Contractors’ Questions: Should a CV cover letter read like a list of keywords?

A dogs dinner so breathless with terms it could be a shopping list? Might not be a bad idea.

Small business group backs 2019 Loan Charge review

FSB: It’s right to review what could ruin the self-employed, ‘retrospective’ or not.

Relevant Life Cover

Relevant Life Cover is a tax-efficient life insurance policy, allowing companies to offer a ‘death-in-service’ benefit to its employees and directors. It's set up by the company and pays out a tax-free, lump sum on the death (or diagnosis of a terminal illness) of the person insured. The proceeds go directly to the employee's family or financial dependants.

HMRC endorses IR35 blanketing on the back of a single contract

Revenue uses November IR35 Forum to exonerate engagers who don’t decide IR35 case-by-case.

What November 2018’s IR35 Forum also heard

HMRC challenges, client inaccuracies and abusive brollies, among other talking points.

Techies excel at personal problem-sharing at work

IT workers are all but the best at getting things off their chest, just not at home.

Contractors' Questions: What if my staggered payment 'policy' is ignored?

'Insisting on incremental is the right course, even if you yourself started off track.'

Revenue reveals craziest expenses claims

Woolly underwear and other outlandish items fail to make the cut.

Contractor’s guide to contracting in Singapore

Hate chewing gum but happy to swallow high costs? Then Lion City may be your perfect den.

What's in store for IT contractor skills in 2019

Knowing yourself is the key to exploiting fierce competition, sharp appetite and rising rates.

Almost all CVs fail to put ‘i before e…’ -- or similar

Why techies with ‘experiance’ and ‘specialized’ skills are probably still on the bench.

Contractors, take the pain out of HMRC’s payment on account glitch

CGT not being taken off you doesn’t make you a victim (although you may be).

You couldn’t make it up! Oh wait, these self-assessors did

Too busy, too short and too cold. Revenue reveals what won’t fly (includes witches).

Barrister takes 20 exceptions to HMRC’s Loan Charge ‘factsheet’

QC tweets against the ‘spin’ of a taxman who he says should be ‘soul-searching’.

Uncertainty causing IT firms ‘loss of momentum’

Brexit, plus political, economic turmoil equals a subdued technology sector.

Why even top techies can't make CV typos

Shortlist you for a detail-orientated environment? Probably not if you can’t spell.

May’s Brexit defeat deemed harmful to contractors

No-deal, so no transition period in the year IR35 toughens, is a growing prospect.

Almost all CVs fail to put ‘i before e…’ -- or similar

Why techies with ‘experiance’ and ‘specialized’ skills are probably still on the bench.

Post-Brexit VAT cut floated amid record high in receipts

‘Increasingly reliant’ Treasury tipped to launch a VAT plan to protect a 79% surge.

Contractors’ Questions: How to treat £10,000 in a limited company I set up?

You still need to HMRC-register, even if not extracting (a tax-free £2k).

Two million self-assessors ignore 'file early' alerts

Leaving it to the last-minute is the stressful, risky preference for 25% of HMRC customers.

Contractors’ Questions: How to claim an Apple iMac plus software?

A contractor cautious about HMRC can include the computer’s full cost, not just half of it.

MPs brand 2019 Loan Charge ‘unacceptable’

‘The April charge is the sort of taxation that led to the birth of the Magna Carta.’

Tax bills omit payment on account in new HMRC glitch

Peace of mind is why you best double-check what the Revenue demands this tax season.

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As a contractor, you should be enjoying all of the benefits that come from leaving permanent employment. However, with this freedom comes a higher risk that your income could be disrupted by a routine operation or unforeseen illness. Every day that you are not on your client’s site is a day’s income lost.

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As a contractor, you should be enjoying all of the benefits that come from leaving permanent employment. However, with this freedom comes a higher risk that your income could be disrupted by a routine operation or unforeseen illness. Every day that you are not on your client’s site is a day’s income lost.

test

As a contractor, you should be enjoying all of the benefits that come from leaving permanent employment. However, with this freedom comes a higher risk that your income could be disrupted by a routine operation or unforeseen illness. Every day that you are not on your client’s site is a day’s income lost.

test

As a contractor, you should be enjoying all of the benefits that come from leaving permanent employment. However, with this freedom comes a higher risk that your income could be disrupted by a routine operation or unforeseen illness. Every day that you are not on your client’s site is a day’s income lost.

Reading takes top three spots in IT league tables

Techies or traders looking for opportunities could do much worse than Berkshire's county town.

Contractors, it’s not the top taxman’s knighthood you should decry

Save your outrage for HMRC’s ‘external consultant,’ as ‘Sir CEO’ is de rigueur.

PM May: Loan Charge 2019 review is accepted

No 10 is drawn into the retrospective row, thanks to a Lib Dem MP’s question and amendment.

Contractors’ Questions: Am I due full pay if my retainer is cancelled?

When sticking to your guns could lead to the killing of whatever goodwill that’s left.

Brexit sealed Christmas as quiet for IT contractors

Demand grew, IT talent gaps opened, but now the uncertainty is even affecting temps.

Contractors pin hopes on 2019 Loan Charge amendment

MPs could today trigger a Treasury review and report on the ‘unfair’ loan charge.

How to claim energy costs as a home-based limited company

Cold snap 2019 will bite PSC directors whose room-divvying isn’t ‘fair’.

Contractors pin hopes on 2019 Loan Charge amendment

MPs could today trigger a Treasury review and report on the ‘unfair’ loan charge.

How to claim energy costs as a home-based limited company

Cold snap 2019 will bite PSC directors whose room-divvying isn’t ‘fair’.

Contractors' Questions: Where are we now with IR35 reform in the private sector?

Next month is from when contractors should start to have some certainty.

IT contractor demand edges up by six per cent

APSCo index suggests hirers found their feet following the IR35 Budget wobble.

Contractor’s guide to contracting in India

Working in the world’s most lucrative destination for UK contractors -- an overview.

Contractors’ Questions: Should I go ‘Ltd’ or umbrella in 2019?

IR35 is now even managing to complicate New Year’s resolutions.

Umbrella companies face UK-wide regulation

Taylor’s recommendation to regulate all brollies, not only those for the low-paid, just got accepted.

Happy 2019 to all ContractorUK readers!

Thanks for your support in 2018, and get ready to be at the cutting-edge of UK contracting over the next year.