IT Contractor / Freelancer Guides

Employment status tool launched - the ultimate IR35 test
A new online employment status test has been launched which can work out if you are caught by the IR35 rules in a mere ten minutes. [September 2, 2010] [In IR35]

IR35 review to be a priority of new tax simplification body
The newly created Office of Tax Simplification (OTS) has been tasked with reviewing the much hated IR35 legislation "as a priority". [August 18, 2010] [In IR35]

Contractor accountants - things to look out for
Starting out as a contractor can be a daunting process. Most new contractors will not have had any experience of working via their own limited company in the past, so it is essential to hire an accountant who is not only familiar with how contractors and freelancers work, but also provides the reassurance and expertise needed to minimise the uncertainties of starting that first contract. [June 18, 2010] [In Contractor Guides]

IR35 insurance & tax investigation protection
Tax investigation insurance will protect you in the event that you in the event that an enquiry is made into your tax return, or via a PAYE compliance visit. What this type of cover, including IR35 insurance, works in practice. [May 27, 2010] [In IR35]

Coalition government to review IR35 legislation
After over a decade on the statute books, the new government has announced its intentions to review the controversial IR35 legislation, which has been a source of great expense and anxiety for many contractors and freelancers. [May 24, 2010] [In IR35]

Umbrella companies vs. limited companies for contractors
One of the first things a new contractor has to decide is whether to contract via a limited company or an umbrella company. What are the advantages and disadvantages of each option? [May 22, 2010] [In Contractor Guides]

Limited or umbrella companies - which structure is best for contractors and freelancers?
The vast majority of contractors and freelancers work through their own limited companies, or use the services of umbrella companies. Which is best for you depends on a number of factors. [May 18, 2010] [In Contractor Guides]

How should limited company contractors and freelancers pay themselves?
Limited company contractors can pay themselves in a number of ways, dependent on whether their work is caught by the IR35 rules or not. How salary and dividends are calculated. [April 8, 2010] [In Contractor Guides]

Contractor accountants - finding the right freelance accountant
Aside from the obvious consideration of cost, there are a number of things you need to bear in mind when choosing a contractor accountant. Using our experience of the contracting industry over the last decade, here are Bytestart's tips to help you on your way. [February 14, 2010] [In Contractor Guides]

Collaboration - the future of freelancing?
Collaborative freelancing is a term which describes how groups of freelancers, all with complimentary or matching skill sets, work under one title or name to provide services. Why it is set to boom in 2010. [December 18, 2009] [In Contractor Guides]

Tips and advice for inhabitants of the freelance jungle
If you've commissioned work or been a freelancer yourself, you're likely to have met one of the inhabitants of the freelance jungle at a networking event or meeting! [November 20, 2009] [In Contractor Guides]

How to choose a good IT contractor accountant
Some specific tips to help IT contractors and freelancers choose the right accountant [November 12, 2009] [In Contractor Guides]

How to find IT contract work as demand increases
The contract market has been severely affected by the economic downturn, with seven quarters of declining demand. With the first signs of confidence returning to the market, we look at the main ways contractors can find new sources of work. [November 9, 2009] [In Contractor Guides]

Umbrella companies for contractors - questions to ask scheme providers
Freelancers and contractors who want to use umbrella companies should make sure they ask a number of crucial questions of potential providers before signing on the dotted line. [November 3, 2009] [In Contractor Guides]

IR35 rules - what is IR35? Are you caught?
What are the IR35 rules? A concise guide to IR35 - the "Intermediaries Legislation" - and what to do if you are caught. [September 12, 2009] [In IR35]

IT Contractor Mortgages - Mortgage Advice and Quotation
IT Contractor mortgages for small business people. Our experienced team can offer hassle-free self employed and self certification mortgages at very good rates [September 5, 2009] [In Contractor Guides]

What hourly rate should you charge as a contractor or freelancer?
The hourly or daily rate you can charge as a contractor or freelancer will depend on a number of factors including your personal skillset, and the state of the market. You also need to be realistic about the time you will spend 'in contract' when estimating your target annual or monthly income [August 3, 2009] [In Contractor Guides]

Contractor umbrella companies - how to choose one
Aside from limited companies, umbrella companies are the second most popular business structure used by contractors and freelancers. Some tips on how to choose the best umbrella company for your business. [July 10, 2009] [In Contractor Guides]

New online accounting system for freelancers and small companies
A new online accounting system has been launched, which enables freelancers, contractors and other small companies to manage their entire accounts, invoicing and expenses online. [June 26, 2009]

7 rules you must enforce on new freelance clients
If you set clear expectations at the beginning of a freelance project, you effectively lay out in clear and simple terms the way you expect to be treated. This must be done upfront to ensure the relationship you have with your client gets off to the best possible start. [June 25, 2009] [In Contractor Guides]

Is freelancing the life for you?
If you’re currently working for someone else and have a particular expertise, you might be considering a move into freelancing. This is a popular way to become your own boss, but you need to make sure freelancing / contracting is the life for you before making the leap. [June 18, 2009] [In Contractor Guides]

10 online tools to make your freelance work easier and more productive
To save you time, Bytestart has put together a list of the top 10 online tools to make your freelance work more productive. [June 15, 2009] [In Contractor Guides]

The 5 things that make you a great freelancer
Successful freelancers tend to follow a formula. By design or accident they are doing the things that make a freelancer desirable to businesses. And that generates an impressive flow of work. [June 10, 2009] [In Contractor Guides]

Freelancers - How to get paid on time without damaging your client relationship
As a freelancer, you're responsible for chasing invoices as well as sourcing work. Here's how to get your invoices paid without upsetting your clients. [June 8, 2009] [In Contractor Guides]

IR35 raises pitiful £1.5m per year for Treasury
The leading freelancers' association has revealed that the Treasury makes a mere £1.5m via the controversial IR35 rules, falling well short of the £220m it expected to raise in National Insurance contributions alone before the rules became law. [May 21, 2009] [In IR35]

Calls to abolish IR35 tax rules in Budget 2009
Following the recent Early Day Motion calling for IR35 to be repealed, a leading freelance organisation has called for the controversial tax to be abolished during Budget 2009. But one expert suggests caution in that it could be replaced by something even worse! [April 9, 2009] [In IR35]

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