Jan / 22
10 predictions on the future of contracting
As the shape of the global workforce changes to reflect business evolution and lifestyle aspirations, the contracting world is set for change. From a number of studies, what’s clearly corroborated is that contracting has an increasingly fundamental role to play, both in facilitating economic growth and in giving people the freedom to prioritise what they
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Jan / 16
Should contractors include a right of substitution clause in their contracts?
‘Right of substitution’ is one of three primary concepts, along with ‘control’ and ‘mutuality of obligation’, which is used to determine a worker’s employment status. Recent controversy surrounding IR35 and the off-payroll reforms has seen these theoretical concepts scrutinised and put to the test in tax tribunals. In this article, Contracting Scout looks at the
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Jan / 8
Why limited company contractors should consider writing a confirmation of arrangements letter
For limited company contractors, the debate surrounding how their employment status is determined is a complicated area. The government’s recently published Good Work Plan seeks to address current issues within Britain’s independent labour market. In this report, the government acknowledges that their tax self-assessment tool is inadequate, while the surrounding legislation on employment status requires
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Jan / 2
What is mutuality of obligation and why do contractors need to know about it?
Mutuality of Obligation or ‘MoO’ is one of the key tests of employment status. Alongside the concepts of ‘control’ and ‘right of substitution’, it is used to determine whether or not IR35 should be applied to a contract. Recent changes to the off-payroll rules have resulted in tighter IR35 legislation, with MoO and the other
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Dec / 11
Registering your Limited Company for VAT & Making Tax Digital
For contractors operating through their own limited company whose turnover exceeds the upper tax threshold, registering for VAT is a legal requirement. The upper tax threshold is also the point at which you need to register for the government’s new digital tax scheme that has been introduced to make the VAT system more efficient. If
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Dec / 4
How to land contracts with high value clients
How to land contracts with high value clients For contractors, the primary benefit of working with high-value clients is obvious – high-value clients will have bigger budgets to spend on projects. This not only offers the contractor the chance to negotiating higher rates of pay, it increases the likelihood of securing longer or repeat projects,
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Oct / 25
Budget Update: What can contractors expect?
At the Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, Philip Hammond stated: “The Conservative Party is, and always will be, the party of business”. Looking ahead to next week’s budget announcement, this assertion could be put to the test. In June Theresa May pledged £20 billion in additional funding for the NHS by 2023. Earlier this month
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Oct / 9
Employment rights for contractors?
Mathew Taylor’s independent 2017 review into Modern Working Practices in Britain drew attention to an insecure ‘gig’ economy where many workers are at risk of exploitation. This led to Prime Minister Theresa May responding to the findings earlier this year by promising millions of workers better holiday and sick pay rights, in addition to stronger
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Oct / 2
IR35: Why it’s best for the agency, the contractor and the client to work together
According to IPSE’s latest Freelancer Confidence Index, 59% of contractors are wary of the economic conditions ahead. Much of the concern has arisen from recent changes to IR35 (off-payroll working rules) in the public sector, which are also set to apply to the private sector in the near future. The changes place the responsibility for
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Apr / 12
4 Ways Contractors Get Their Finances All Wrong
As a contractor, it’s up to you to take responsibility for your lifestyle costs and structure your financial arrangements to cover them. However many contractors overlook simple steps that can be taken to enjoy greater working flexibility, more free time and the potential to increase the money made as an independent contractor when compared to
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