Blog

On the move constantly, no specific desk for more than a couple of months let alone office space. Every contractor needs to have the gadgets to match the way the working life they carry out therefore, we have chosen a few we think could benefit most of you on-the-go individuals in order to add to your Christmas list;

Russell K. Lewis : "Ultimately using an Umbrella Company did not maximise my take home pay which is why I chose to move to a Limited Company option"

Following the celebration of National Freelancer Day on Wednesday 19th November earlier this month, the Government announced the appointment of David Morris MP as the UK’s first ambassador for the self-employed community. Mr Morris will be the go-to man for freelancers and contractors throughout the UK, which can only mean good news for this ever-growing workforce.

Some would say working from home is a luxury however others may find it hard to concentrate and actually produce good quality work when they are not in professional and structured working environment. If this relates to your situation there may be certain elements that you may need to review and change in order to ensure you are working as effectively as possible as a Contractor working from home.

The Flat Rate Scheme is a VAT option a business or company can opt into to determine the way in which they pay VAT back to the HMRC and more importantly, how much they have to return.

Recent legislation regarding auto-enrolment into workplace pensions for employees has been brought in by the Government to encourage workers to put aside for their future. This legislation states that employer’s with workers that fall under the following criteria must automatically enrol them into a workplace pension scheme.

As a Director of a limited company you are able to claim a percentage of the costs of childcare as an expense through the government’s Childcare Voucher Scheme. The scheme allows you to claim up to £55 per week or £243 per month towards childcare costs incurred.

In a recent Social Media Survey sent to our clients, over 60% of the Contractors asked currently use Facebook and LinkedIn for personal use, but have they ever considered how social media could help their position as a Contractor professionally.

As of January 2013 the Government changed the rules regarding high earners and the possible charge arising on the Child Benefit that they receive. Child Benefit has always been paid out to individuals of all levels of income however, post the start of 2013 high earners now have to pay an extra tax charge on Child Benefits received throughout the year.

For some Contractors business insurance is a requirement from their Agency or a contract condition however, for others it comes as a choice as to whether or not to purchase it. As a Contractor (especially for those entering the contracting world for the first time) it may be a confusing topic as to whether or not to take out insurance if you do have the choice, and if so, which insurance?