BANK HOLIDAYS With two Bank Holidays in May there will be no effect to the deadline for contractors submitting their expenses. We still need to receive these by no later than 5.30pm every Monday. Fingers crossed the weather will continue to shine, as it has done throughout April. So what have you got planned for your days off? Are you heading to the beach, having a short break away, or just putting your feet up and relaxing? If you are stuck for things to do, Time Out have come up with some … [Read more...]
What does the typeface of you CV say about you?
I was interested to read this recent article by Contractor UK "Experts spell out what your CV font says about you". Talking to some of the industry experts, Contractor UK reported on the use of different typefaces within CV's and the power of these fonts. With your CV acting as a visual representation of your career history, this is the first thing an employer would see before they even decide if they want to meet you in person. "Honest professionals with a good heart use Helvetica; the very … [Read more...]
April 2015 Tax Changes
As we come to the end of the first month in the new financial Tax year, we have all seen the effects of the new Tax changes. Based on a recent publication on gov.uk, Payroll World have put together a list of these changes, that took place from April 6th 2015. "Acting as a useful checklist, the following tax changes came into effect on Monday 6 April 2015: - Individuals over the age of 55 have flexible access to their defined contribution pension savings - The Income Tax Personal Allowance … [Read more...]
The dangers of engaging with an Elective Deduction Model
It has been reported that the HMR&C are eager to take action against non-compliant means of payroll, after targeting Pay Day by Pay Day tax relief platforms, their focus has also turned to clamping down on Elective Deduction Models (EDM). These non-compliant forms of payroll by-pass the required National Minimum Wage legislations put in place by HMR&C and have been found to be in place within some companies. Elective Deduction Models allow contractors to remain on self-employed … [Read more...]
What the political parties have planned for contractors
We have all seen the recent debates and manifestos presented by the political parties over the last few weeks in preparation for the general election. Of the six main political parties, five have submitted to the contractor body IPSE, a list of actions they would take, should they gain power on May 7th 2015. Contractor UK reports on the main topics effecting contractors in the link below. http://www.contractoruk.com/news/0012007what_political_parties_plan_contractors.html With five of the … [Read more...]
AUCAE launch survey urging contractors to have their voice heard.
AUCAE launch survey urging contractors to have their voice heard. As a proud member of industry body All Umbrella Companies Are Equal, we would urge you to take just a few minutes of your time to read the below and voice your opinion! In the Budget 2013, the government announced new rules to tackle tax avoidance, however what was to come next nobody anticipated… On 16th December 2014, in an effort to crack down on tax avoidance, HMRC published a discussion document on Employment Intermediaries: … [Read more...]
General Election – Manifesto’s 2015
As the political parties begin the preparation for the General Election on the 7th May, the public have been presented with each parties Manifesto, as each candidate makes a public declaration of the policies and aims, they wish to achieve should they gain power. Follow the links below to view each parties Manifesto's Labour Manifesto 2015 - Click Here Conservative Manifesto 2015 - Click Here Liberal Democrats Manifesto 2015 - Click Here … [Read more...]
Tax Avoidance – Labour Propose a 10-Point Plan
Labour Propose a 10-Point Plan to Tackle Tax Avoidance Over the last few years we have seen the on going efforts by the Government to crack down on 'Tax Avoidance'. With the up coming elections in May, Labour have announced their strategy to tackle this issue, with a 10-Point Plan, estimated to receive an additional £7.5 billion a year. Due to be discussed in Labour's manifesto yesterday, it would fall on the Labour Chancellor and the taxman to inform Parliament of the developments … [Read more...]
The key points for Contractors in Labour Manifesto 2015
With the up-coming general election on May 7th, Labour released their Manifesto yesterday, stating the goal's they wish to achieve should they gain power. The key pledges potentially affecting such professionals directly are as mentioned below. Labour leader Ed Miliband said: “In the last five years I have heard your stories, your hopes and your dreams.” “The fundamental truth that runs through this manifesto is that Britain will only succeed when working people succeed.” “It means a country … [Read more...]
Zero Hours Contract
In a recent speech given by Ed Miliband, he announced that a Labour government would pass law giving individual’s the right to a ‘regular’ contract after 12 weeks of working ‘regular’ hours. Would this proposed clampdown on zero-hours contracts, increase the demand for the services of compliant umbrella companies? Zero hours contracts are contracts that allow employers to hire staff with no guarantee of work, which is why they are considered to be contentious as this lack of guaranteed work … [Read more...]