93% of contractors thought about using an umbrella company last year

Following the introduction of new IR35 rules in April, more than 90% of contractors thought about ditching their limited companies for umbrellas in 2021.

New rules affecting private sector clients mean that contractors are much more likely to be judged ‘inside IR35’ when starting a new contract.

Government opens umbrella working consultation

Contractors and agencies are being encouraged to share their views in a new consultation on umbrella working.

Umbrella companies support the flexible labour market by providing employment services for temporary workers.

When you work for yourself and you only get paid for the time you work, it can be difficult to switch off from work.

Temp pay grows at record pace amid candidate shortage
Editor | 17 November 2021
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A new report on the UK labour market has revealed that a lack of candidates is driving up rates of temp and starting pay.

The KPMG and REC’s latest UK Report on Jobs survey found that strong demand for staff, coupled with a steep fall in the labour supply, drove the sharpest increase in starting pay since the survey began in 1997.

Sunak’s ‘Missed Opportunity’ to Police Rogue Umbrella Companies
Editor | 5 November 2021
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Chancellor Rishi Sunak has missed a chance to regulate umbrella companies after failing to mention it in his Autumn Budget.

The Freelancer and Contractor Services Association (FCSA), which represents compliant umbrella companies, expressed disappointment at the government’s silence on an important issue to protect temporary workers.  

New to contracting? Here’s 20 self-employment tips for 2022

Are you thinking about making the switch to work for yourself in 2022? You’re not alone. There are an estimated 4.3 million self-employed workers in the UK, but this is down from a peak of over five million at the start of 2020.

The pandemic has reduced self-employment, but numbers are starting to climb again.

Whether you are contracting through your own limited company or working through an umbrella company, working for yourself can be incredibly rewarding. It can help you do what you’re passionate about and gives you more freedom.  

But there are downsides to self-employment too. Many self-employed workers work long hours, have irregular income and need to spend time on some boring stuff like admin and taxes.

If you’re thinking about going it alone this year, these 20 tips will help you find balance, manage financially and look after yourself.

Editor | 10 December 2021
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New figures show that HMRC pays most of its temporary workers through umbrella companies.

However, the UK tax authority has denied that it has a partial outside-IR35 hiring ban in place.

HMRC’s accounts, which run to the end of March 2021, show that the taxman engaged 403 temporary workers in one year. Of this number, only 15 were classed as ‘inside IR35’, which means they were operating through a limited company, but paying tax and National Insurance contributions like an employee.

New tax avoidance risk tool for umbrella contractors
Editor | 25 November 2021
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HMRC has launched a new tool to help contractors assess whether thei

Sky Sports Presenter Hit with £281,000 IR35 Bill
Editor | 12 November 2021
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A court has ruled that former Sky Sports darts presenter Dave Clark owes HMRC more than £281,000 in tax after he lost an IR35 case appeal.

55-year-old Clark, who suffers with Parkinson’s disease, is the latest in a series of TV and radio personalities to find himself under investigation for suspected breaches of IR35 rules.

Autumn 2021 budget - Contractor Highlights

Last week the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak revealed the Autumn 2021 budget.

We’ve created a summary to highlight the elements most relevant for you.

Read on to learn what’s changing.

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