IT Contractor Essentials
Practical guides, calculators, industry news and advice to help you set up and run a professional contracting business.
Read our step-by-step setup guide, with everything from navigating IR35 to submitting your first invoice.
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New rules to combat fraud and improve the integrity of the Companies House database come into effect in March 2024. In this guide, we look at how these changes affect limited company contractors. … [more]
If you work through an umbrella company, you might see deductions on your payslips for the Apprenticeship Levy. Here we explain what this charge is, and how it is calculated. … [more]
There’s more to making it through an interview as an IT contractor in one piece than a crisply ironed shirt and a smart tie – although such details are often a good place to start. In this guide, we look at how the process works, plus reveal some … [more]
A successful contractor career requires navigating some tricky situations (and people). You'll need to negotiate with recruiters and clients, stay on top of your accounts, and keep on the right side of the taxman. … [more]
Most contractors spend a lot of time behind computer screens. With this in mind, can your company claim for the cost of an employee's eye test? And, what about the cost of corrective glasses? … [more]
If you've spent personal funds setting up a business, what scope is there to reclaim these costs from your limited company after incorporation? … [more]
How are subscriptions to professional and trade organisations treated for tax purposes? And what determines whether or not your membership of a particular organisation is tax-deductible? … [more]
If you need to buy a new laptop or upgrade your PC software, how are these expenses treated for tax purposes? We also look at the rules which govern the treatment of computer-related purchases. … [more]
Many contractors travel from home to a temporary workplace. You should be aware of the 24 month rule which determines whether or not you can legitimately claim any travel costs. Here, we explain how the rule operates in practice. … [more]
Limited company owners cannot offset the cost of standard work clothes against tax, although there are some interesting exceptions. Here we look at how HMRC treats clothing expenses. … [more]
