Essentially as a Contractor you are out in the working world by yourself and are responsible for both your level of work and income received as well as the amount of outgoings you incur. Modern day contracting can require you to travel to your clients and places of work from time to time and these occasional (or sometimes more regular) trips can add up.
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;
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.
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.
Entrepreneurs’ Relief is available on a capital distribution (not exceeding £25,000) received arising on a winding up, which is received no later than three years following the date on which the company ceased to be a trading company, where…
Up until less than a decade ago, permanent roles were arguably the most prominent way of working. However, contracting roles are becoming ever more popular and there are now estimated to be 600,000 contractors (operating via a limited company) in the UK.
HMRC is well-known to have time-consuming and sometimes complicated forms that you are required to fill out as a limited company director. The P11D is one of these; essentially, a P11D reports the benefits paid out to a company’s employees. These items are known as ‘benefits in kind’ and as a contractor with a limited company, you may at some point need to fill out a P11D form.
Back up plans can be a valuable thing. Take Director’s Loans for example. Useful when running a limited company and can act as a handy back up. Most contractors might never need to use it, however, if you decide you need to take out money from your business account that exceeds how much you have, the money is then treated as a loan to the company.
As a contractor, working through your own Limited Company, paying Higher Rate Tax, will almost certainly see substantial negative effects on your take home pay.
