Contractor Articles

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.

Most SMEs still not IR35 compliant
marketing | 8 September 2021
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A survey has revealed that more than half of the UK’s small and medium-sized enterprises haven’t introduced formal IR35 processes five months after a major rules shake up.

Chancellor eyes limited company tax increase

The Chancellor Rishi Sunak is thought to be considering a sharp increase in the rate of corporation tax, as the Treasury attempts to curb borrowing in the wake of the coronavirus pandemic.

Reports suggest that the tax, which is paid on the profits of limited companies, could gradually increase from 19% to as much as 25% by the end of the current parliamentary term.

What does ‘inside IR35’ mean for contractors?

With changes to off-payroll working rules imminent, experts predict a tidal wave of new ‘inside IR35’ judgements in the next few months. 

If you are a contractor working through your own limited company then you are at risk of being judged ‘inside IR35’ - but what does this mean for you and your bank account?

With changes to off-payroll working rules imminent, experts predict a tidal wave of new ‘inside IR35’ judgements in the next few months. 

If you are a contractor working through your own limited company then you are at risk of being judged ‘inside IR35’ - but what does this mean for you and your bank account?

HMRC’s IR35 Checker Can’t Decide on 20% of Cases
marketing | 17 December 2020
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HMRC’s controversial ‘Check Employment Status for Tax’ (CEST) tool is unable to provide an IR35 status for one-in-five contractor queries. 

With a few months to go before IR35 rule changes are applied to contractors in the private sector, HMRC data shows that their online IR35 checking tool was used almost a million times in the last year.

Of the 975,416 online checks completed, the tax authority found that 505,598 (52%) were deemed outside IR35, 281,099 (29%) were classed as inside IR35 and 188,719 (19%) were undetermined, meaning the tool could not provide a definitive answer.

How to go from sole trader to limited company contractor
marketing | 22 September 2021
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There are a number of advantages to operating through a limited company rather than as a sole trader. Working through a limited company is more tax-efficient. It also gives you limited liability, so you won’t be held personally responsible for business debts.

Five things you need to know before you become an umbrella worker
marketing | 9 August 2021
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Recent changes to IR35 (off-payroll working) legislation mean that many contractors are looking to set up with umbrella companies in the UK.

Although working through an umbrella company is much easier than running your own limited company, it can be confusing if you haven’t done it before. That’s why we’ve prepared this introductory guide with some of the most important things you need to know before you join an umbrella.

IR35 Contractors: Watch Out For Unlawful Umbrellas

New IR35 rules due to take effect in the private sector from April 2021 could force thousands of limited company contractors to shutter their limited company and start using an umbrella company for the first time.

Joining an umbrella company is a tax efficient way to ensure IR35 compliance while also enjoying some for the benefits that come along with being an employee, such as holiday and sick pay.

Unfortunately some non-PAYE payment vehicles also describe themselves as ‘umbrellas’ and these schemes are often illegitimate.

Contractor guide: Moving from a limited company to umbrella model in 2021
marketing | 11 January 2021
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Many contractors are likely to close their limited companies this year and subscribe to an umbrella company to try and avoid punitive new IR35 rules.

For the most part, limited company contractors love the tax advantages and the autonomy that comes with running their own personal service company (PSC). But a major shift in the way that IR35 legislation is applied in the private sector could lock thousands of contractors into high-tax, low-benefit arrangements.

If you tend to work very closely with your private sector clients and are at risk of being trapped in an ‘inside IR35’ contract, then switching to an umbrella company model of working could be the best move you make in 2021.

Contractor productivity worth £5,000 per employee

A new report into contractor productivity has found that firms with at least 11% of their workforce as contractors are more productive, with each employee generating an extra £4,669 for their organisation on average.

Researchers from the Trinity Business School and the University of Derby said the results showed the important role that contractors can play in the UK’s recovery.

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