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Contractor News

Here we explore contractor news and issues that affect contractors most – from the latest IR35 updates and simplifying complex tax changes, to offering our expert opinion on the forever changing world of work. Our insight exists to provoke thought, inform and help you thrive as an independent worker.

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Recent Posts

Preparing for BREXIT

Many of our clients have received communications from HMRC over the last year to assist them to prepare for BREXIT.  However as this is a complex and new area, this article is designed to further help you to assess how these changes may impact both you and your business.

Troy Stevens

Further Economic Support

On Sunday 31st October 2020 the Government announced a number of updates to existing economic support measures.  The full details of these measures are reported HERE (https://www.gov.uk/government/news/furlough-scheme-extended-and-further-economic-support-announced ).

Troy Stevens

Updates to the Job Support Scheme

The Government has published detailed information about the scheme HERE (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-job-support-scheme/the-job-support-scheme )

Troy Stevens

Accounting for Limited Company Property Investments

It can be a complex decision for clients when it comes to determining how best to utilise existing Contractor Limited Company funds in a Property Investment Company

Troy Stevens

Update – Government Plans

Rishi Sunak last week unveiled the Government’s plans to help protect jobs and support businesses over the coming months.

Troy Stevens

Just how painful is changing accountants?

Changing accountants is considered difficult, but is it really that tricky?

Troy Stevens

What Makes a Good Online Accountant?

What qualities do fantastic accountants have?

How to spot great online accountants 

The questions you’re likely to ask before engaging an accountant aren’t too dissimilar from the ones you might ponder over when buying any other product or service. For example, does it offer value for money? How well does it cater to my specific needs? Is it high quality? Is the company selling it trusted by others? 

Troy Stevens

Why You Need Accounting Services?

Vital for freelancers, contractors, sole traders and small businesses

Mike Butchart

What Is The Answer For IR35 Reform In The Private Sector?

Is there an IR35 solution for next year’s changes? After MPs gave changes to the off-payroll working rules the green light in Parliament recently, there is now no turning back as far
Troy Stevens

Why Use An Expenses App?

The benefits of filing your expenses via an expenses app Today, there seems to be an app for just about everything. Calorie control? Yep. Daily steps? That too. An app to control
Muhammed Patel

Do I Need An Accountant If I’m Using Accounting Software?

Why accounting software should be used in harmony with your accountant.

Vikash Patel

Contractor Mortgages: Frequently Asked Questions

What do independent workers need to know about securing a contractor mortgage?

Troy Stevens

What Expenses Can Freelancers & Contractors Claim?

From office costs to travel and marketing spend, find out the business expenses you can claim

Muhammed Patel

Why Might Contractors Need An Accounting Package?

For unlimited support, help with budgeting and a full accounting service

Vikash Patel

Do I Need An Accountant If I’m Self-Employed?

Starting out as a freelancer or contractor can be quite daunting, and there are many different things to consider, including whether or not to engage an accountant to take care of your
Mike Butchart

What Legal Issues Might Contractors Face?

From tax investigations to client disputes and defamation

Troy Stevens

Does Length Of Contract Impact Your IR35 Status?

Should contractors be wary about working for a client over a long period of time?

Troy Stevens

What Do Our Contractor Accountancy Packages Include?

All your accountancy needs and more, for one fixed fee.

Vikash Patel

How Does A Director’s Loan Work?

A pitstop guide to Director’s Loans for contractors The more experience you gain as a contractor, the more familiar you become with accountancy terms, such as dividends, payroll, VAT, Corporation Tax and,
Vikash Patel

Off-Payroll Working: Is IR35 Reform Still Going Ahead?

The latest IR35 news explained to contractors in layman’s terms

Troy Stevens

How Contractor Accountants Can Help You Build Wealth

When you engage a contractor accountant, it’s likely that you’re looking for a trusted expert to take over the day-to-day bookkeeping responsibilities, sort your annual accounts and to help ensure your personal
Vikash Patel

Contractor News Round-Up For April

The events last month that impact freelancers and contractors Faltering business confidence resulting from COVID-19 continued to dominate the headlines in April, with the impact of the virus far-reaching and, in some
Troy Stevens

Why Switching Accountants Doesn’t Need To Be Painful

Switching to a new contractor accountant isn’t as difficult as you might imagine For freelancers and contractors, the very thought of the hassle that tends to be involved with switching accountants is
Vikash Patel

How Important Are Contractor Legal Services?

How important are contractor legal services? What are contractor legal services, and why might you need them? Despite a backdrop of economic uncertainty and tumultuous legislative reform, the UK’s self-employed workforce has
Troy Stevens

What Help Is There For Contractors During COVID-19?

The financial support available to limited company contractors affected by Coronavirus The last year has been a whirlwind for the self-employed and in particular, limited company contractors. From the IR35 private sector
Troy Stevens

Why Might You Need A Contractor Expenses App?

When it comes to the world of accounting, most contractors will wholeheartedly agree that technology – and in particular, expenses apps – make keeping on top of finances altogether easier.
Vikash Patel

What Contractors Should Know About The Delay To IR35 Reform

The changes, their implications and your options explained The delay to off-payroll working reform in the private sector means contractors will carry on setting their IR35 status until 6th April
Mike Butchart

What Does An IR35 Accountant Do?

How to find an accountant who genuinely specialises in IR35 If you’ve been shopping around for a contractor accountant recently, you may have seen a few marketed as ‘IR35 accountants’.
Mike Butchart

HMRC Announces 12-Month Delay To IR35 Reform

Coronavirus puts the brakes on IR35 reform, which will now be enforced in 2021 The COVID-19 outbreak has led the Government to postpone the extension to the off-payroll working rules
Troy Stevens

What is a Contractor?

If you’ve landed here, then chances are you’re considering self-employment. Perhaps you’ve been thinking about contracting so you can take full control of your career. Maybe you’re facing redundancy and
Troy Stevens

Why Engage a Contractor Accountant in the 2020/21 Financial Year?

Helping you navigate Brexit, IR35 reform and the 2020/21 financial year There are many advantages to engaging a contractor accountant – from saving you time and money to ensuring your
Vikash Patel

What Is Off-Payroll Working & What Does It Mean For Contractors?

Reform to the IR35 rules has been paused, but only until April 2021. According to HMRC statistics, only around 10% of limited company contractors who should comply with the off-payroll
Troy Stevens

What Are The Benefits of Accounting Packages?

Fixed-fee accounting packages are perfectly suited to freelancers and contractors Whether it’s ensuring tax compliance, offering important financial advice or taking care of your everyday accounts, the benefits of engaging
Vikash Patel

A Contractor’s IR35 Reform Checklist

The private sector IR35 reform is rapidly approaching – it’s now just a month away. Despite a call for evidence issued by the House of Lords (which closed on the
Mike Butchart

What does IR35 mean for contractors?

Demystifying the tax legislation that has hounded contractors for two decades. The IR35 legislation can be confusing, even to those with a fairly strong grasp of the rules. If you’re
Muhammed Patel

Why work as a limited company contractor?

If you’re thinking about becoming a contractor or have recently gone self-employed, it’s well worth forming a limited company, which you can provide your services to clients through. In the
Vikash Patel

Why Should You Engage an Online Contractor Accountant?

The benefits of hiring a trusted online contractor accountancy From saving time to maximising tax efficiency and ensuring compliance, there are plenty of reasons why many contractors choose to engage
Troy Stevens

What do contractors need to know about approaching IR35 reform?

Ever since the IR35 rules were rolled out two decades ago, contractors have feared this complicated tax, that was introduced with the aim of stopping ‘disguised employment.’ But now, perhaps
Muhammed Patel

What do contractors need to know about the Self-Assessment Tax Return?

For lots of reasons, January can be a challenging month. After a well-earned break, returning to work with a Christmas hangover can make starting the new year tricky to say
Muhammed Patel

How can Boris Johnson ‘unleash’ contractors in 2020?

After the General Election, Boris Johnson has an opportunity to win back the support of contractors in 2020, many of whom feel they have been let down in recent years.
Troy Stevens

I’m a Contractor: Can I Prepare for IR35 Reform in 2020?

How to Prepare for IR35 Reform in 2020 If you’re a contractor with a personal service company, also known as a PSC, it’s very likely that you’ll have heard of
Mike Butchart

Why Should You Engage a Contractor Accountant?

A Closer Look at Why You Should Engage a Contractor Accountant As you take the leap into freelancing or contracting, you’ll likely ask yourself an important question: ‘should I engage
Troy Stevens

LTD Company Contractor – What are the Responsibilities?

What are your responsibilities as a limited company contractor? With nearly 5m people now working for themselves in the UK, there are more freelancers, contractors and small businesses on these shores
Mike Butchart

What to do about an IR35 Letter from HMRC

What to do if you receive an IR35 letter from HMRC. In the past month, contractors have become acutely aware of HMRC’s approach to enforcing IR35 compliance. According to The
Muhammed Patel

Are Recruiters Ready for IR35 Reform?

Fresh concerns raised about recruiters’ readiness for IR35 reform Are Recruiters Ready for IR35 Reform? Well with little over six months to go until IR35 reform is extended to the
Mike Butchart

Contractors – A Lack of Faith?

Not for the first time, contractors impacted by IR35 outline a lack of faith in HMRC With further IR35 reform on the horizon, contractors have made it clear to the
Mike Butchart

Contractors Make Stand Against IR35 Ultimatum

Contractors poised to leave projects if handed IR35 ultimatum  What would you do if, as a limited company contractor working outside IR35 in the private sector, next April you were
Troy Stevens

IR35 Reform Plans Revealed

Specific plans for further IR35 reform revealed Last week the Government released the draft legislation for IR35 reform in the private sector, revealing the details for changes which will see
Muhammed Patel

5 Tips to Staying Outside IR35

Our best tips for Staying Outside IR35 From April 2020, contractors working with medium and large private sector companies will no longer be able to determine their own IR35 status.
Mike Butchart

What Are The Options When Working Inside IR35?

What are your options when working inside IR35? While incoming IR35 reform does not necessarily mean that as a contractor you will be placed inside the rules by your engager,
Mike Butchart

IR35 – Clients and Recruiters Must Act

Study suggests clients and recruiters must act ahead of IR35 reform New research released by QAccounting partner, Qdos Contractor, strengthens the argument that the private sector must begin preparing for
Muhammed Patel

IR35 – Impact on Oil & Gas?

How could IR35 reform impact the oil and gas sector? While statistics tell us that Britain’s oil and gas sector accounts for around just 1% of the oil produced globally,
Mike Butchart

IR35 Reform – Mistakes to Avoid

Mistakes to avoid when preparing for IR35 reform. A sea change in the contracting world will hit the private sector next April. Under new rules for administering the IR35 legislation,
Troy Stevens

IR35 – Is HMRC Ignoring the Problem?

CEST to be improved, but is HMRC ignoring the real problem? There was some anticipation in the air earlier this month when the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) – an
Muhammed Patel

HMRC’s IR35 Tool – Cause for Concern?

What are the main concerns contractors have about HMRC’s IR35 tool? Despite being in action for more than two years, contractors and IR35 experts are now scrutinising HMRC’s Check Employment
Muhammed Patel

IR35 Decisions – A Blanket Approach?

New evidence suggests blanket IR35 decisions are widespread in the public sector Even before the arrival of IR35 reform in the public sector in 2017, many contractors feared they would
Muhammed Patel

HMRC Guidance on IR35 Reform

Latest HMRC guidance on private sector IR35 reform disappoints Expectations that HMRC would make serious efforts to help recruitment agencies and end-clients implement incoming IR35 reform fell flat last week,
Mike Butchart

Does Your Company Have the Right Insurance in Place?

Company Insurance Insurance for contractors is one of those necessities that we would rather do without. Whether you require business insurance as a contractual obligation or you want to take
Troy Stevens

Give Your Business a Health Check

Time for a Business a Health Check Commonly a typical contractor spends 10 months a year working on contracts with only short periods of respite in between. As a result
Muhammed Patel

When did you Last Speak to your Contractor Accountant?

Personal Approach It doesn’t matter how many technological advancements occur in the world of accounting, whether it is automated bank reconciliation, virtual document hubs, mobile expense tracking or online accounting
Troy Stevens

5 Tips for Staying Productive Between Contracts

All contractors will at one time find themselves on the bench. This is the period between contracts when your latest assignment has finished, and your new contract has either yet
Troy Stevens

Think You’re Inside IR35?

Are You Inside IR35? Many contractors are aware of the IR35 legislation and some put measures in place to ensure that they are protected should the Revenue ever launch an
Vikash Patel

How Important is Building a Brand for LTD Company Contractors?

Building a Brand There are many important factors that business owners consider when setting up which take much planning and investment, and important examples of these are brand awareness, marketing
Vikash Patel

Why Get a Contractor Accountant?

Getting a Contractor Accountant Being a one-man band Ltd Company Director/Shareholder can seem a daunting undertaking for those taking their first steps into contracting. We speak with many first-time contractors
Vikash Patel

New Year, New Accountant

Switching to a New Accountant With the hangover of New Year’s Eve now a faint and distant memory, you will have undoubtedly witnessed the barrage of social media posts pledging
Troy Stevens

Can I claim Expenses for the use of my Home Office?

If you are a professional operating via a Limited Company, then you may be aware that several business expenses are tax-deductible if incurred wholly and purposefully as a result of
Muhammed Patel

5 Tips for Contractors Working in the Cold Weather

With winter fully underway, we thought we would share some tips that we’ve picked up as contractor accountants for working in the colder months. Whether you work on an oil
Muhammed Patel

What Happens if a Contractor is Called for Jury Duty?

Being a Ltd company contractor means that we take on the responsibilities of a company owner, Shareholder and Director, and lose many of the benefits previously enjoyed as employees. Certain eventualities
Muhammed Patel

Are Office Christmas Parties IR35 Friendly?

As a specialist IR35 accountant, we receive many queries related to office Christmas parties. With talks of Secret Santa, corporate festivities, and the office Christmas party getting more and more
Mike Butchart

Accounting for Limited Companies

Why use accounting for limited companies? Having an accountant in place is vital in running and maintaining a successful business. Companies large and small are required to declare income to
Vikash Patel

How to Switch to QAccounting

Switching to QAccounting Here at QAccounting, we have many clients switch to us successfully from their previous accountants. There are many reasons why contractors decide to transfer their accounts to
Vikash Patel

Should I use my Accountants as my Registered Office Address?

We speak with many first time contractors every day, and often we are asked the same question, where should I choose for my to register my company office? Many contractors
Vikash Patel

Choosing the Right Company Name

We speak with numerous professionals every day looking to set up and trade via a Ltd company. One of the most frequently asked questions when starting out is what a
Vikash Patel

5 Survival Tips for IT Contractors Working in the Hot Weather

With the summer heatwave well and truly upon us, it’s essential to consider those of us working day in day out in busy offices. IT contractors do not benefit from
Troy Stevens

Why Get an IR35 Contract Review?

IR35 affects anyone operating via a Ltd company and is something that you should be aware of as a contractor. Anybody thinking of going Ltd or anyone picking up a
Mike Butchart

5 Reasons to Become a Ltd Company Contractor

We support many Ltd company professionals and most made their leap into contracting after careful deliberation. Some go Ltd because of a change in circumstances, some want more freedom in
Vikash Patel

How Can I Submit Business Expenses?

We speak with many contractors every day, and one of the most common questions we answer is how easy it is to submit business expense claims as a QAccounting client.
Troy Stevens

5 Reasons to Switch Contractor Accountants

Thinking of a new accountant service that will have a service more in-line with your needs? Why not switch contractor accountants? We examine five key reasons why contractors change their
Vikash Patel

HMRC Defeated in Recent IR35 Case

In a time of apparent reform for the IR35 legislation, Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs’ charge against non-compliance is stopped in its tracks as they lose First Tier Tax Tribunal
Vikash Patel

5 Tips to Choosing a Business Bank Account

Anyone who is operating via a Ltd company is required to have a bank account set up attributed to their business. Having one of these in place is very important
Vikash Patel

What is an IR35 Accountant?

With online information and misinformation on IR35 rife within the industry, we discuss what contractors should look out for when seeking correct information on HMRC’s legislation. With more and more
Vikash Patel

Criminal Finances Act 2017

Need to know facts about the Criminal Finances Act 2017. Having been announced in April of this year, the Criminal Finances Act 2017 was officially enforced on 30th September. It
Vikash Patel

Getting The VAT Treatment Right

A Sorry Tale of Misunderstanding There are three rates of VAT: Standard rate of 20%; Reduced rate of 5%; and Zero rate. There are also exempt supplies which do not
Vikash Patel

Disincorporation Relief Close to Extinction

OTS warning over neglecting relief Disincorporation relief was introduced as a temporary measure from 1st April 2013 following recommendations by the Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) to remove the tax
Muhammed Patel

Get The Shareholding Details Right

Confusion as to who owns shares will prove costly When establishing a company, it is important to identify who owns the shares and get the correct paperwork put in place.
Muhammed Patel

Can HMRC Ever Be World Class?

Revenue set out strategy for becoming top organisation HMRC has recently published its corporate strategy to become a “world-class organisation” underpinned by the values of professionalism, integrity, respectfulness and innovation.
Troy Stevens

Simplifying Corporation Tax

OTS proposes changes to reduce tax burdens The Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) has recently published its recommendations for making corporation tax (C.T) easier in its report, ‘Simplification of the
Muhammed Patel

Tax-Free Childcare

Registration opens for new initiative 21st April saw the introduction of the Government’s Tax-Free Childcare scheme, available to parents of children under 4 and disabled children under 17. It will
Muhammed Patel

Artificial Separation of Businesses

Splitting hairs There are some businesses that seek to avoid registering for VAT using something know as artificial separation, where their business activities are split into two so that each businesses
Muhammed Patel

IR35 and the meaning of MOO

Demystifying mutuality of obligation Mutuality of obligation (MOO) is a fundamental aspect of a contract of employment and therefore should rank as an important status test in deciding whether or
Mike Butchart

Let it All Out

Reminder of HMRC’s Let Property Campaign Each one of our accounting packages gives our clients full, unlimited access to our in-house experts and an important part of their job is
Muhammed Patel

Gig Economy Review Should Consider Tax

LITRG wants Taylor Review to look beyond employment issues The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) has urged the Taylor Review to examine the relationship between taxation and the growth
Muhammed Patel

Mitigating IHT (Inheritance Tax)

Making use of IHT reliefs and exemptions IHT is principally a death duty and to a lesser extent a tax on lifetime gifts. Other than spending all your wealth before
Muhammed Patel

Did You Claim Employment Allowance?

Historical NIC Employment Allowance claims still possible In the Budget of 2013, the then Chancellor of the Exchequer, George Osborne, announced that as from 6th April 2014 employers would be
Vikash Patel

Key to the tax door

Tax implications of key person insurance Companies may sometimes take out a policy (key person insurance) insuring them against loss of profits resulting from the death, critical illness, sickness, accident
Muhammed Patel

Moving Up a Gear

Single property landlords will be pushed into higher rate tax bracket The restriction on the deduction of finance costs from 6th April 2017 has meant that single property landlords could
Vikash Patel

General election tax battleground

Political pledges on tax that affect contractors As general election campaigning intensifies, we look at what the three main parties are promising on tax in their manifestos and how this
Vikash Patel

Encouraging employers to pay up – employee expenses

Non-reimbursed employee expenses costing the Exchequer Many employees will incur expenses during the course of the performance of their job, in particular business travel. If their employer does not pay
Muhammed Patel

Employee third party debt and pecuniary liability

Pecuniary liability principle Under the pecuniary liability principle, where an employer settles a personal bill on behalf of an employee, whether Class 1 or Class 1A NIC are payable, depends
Troy Stevens

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