Travel expenses 4: Travelling and subsistence claims for contractors
Contractors’ guide to claiming motorbike, bicycle & van expenses Do you do your bit for the environment by cycling to work? Or do you commute by van or motorbike? In this eBrief, Intouch Accounting, the best accountancy services for contractors and freelancers, look at how to claim travel expenses when one of these alternatives to […]
How to find contract work
Top tips to find contract work Looking for contract work is a different kind of process to looking for permanent roles. This is partly because contractor vacancies often need to be filled quite quickly and partly because the very nature of contracting means that looking for your next role is an on-going process. If you’re currently […]
Moving from a permanent role to contracting
Moving from a permanent role to contracting If you’re thinking of moving to contracting there are a number of practical factors to consider before making the move from a permanent role. Considering these points will help make your transition to contracting life easier and smoother from the start. Leaving your current organisation Make sure you […]
Taking holiday as a contractor
Taking holiday as a contractor While most Limited Company contractors are happy to be working as much as possible, we all need a bit of time off during the year. Taking a break to simply re-charge or to spend time with family is an important factor in maintaining a healthy work/life balance. This can be […]
Can I claim Christmas party expenses through my Limited Company?
Can I claim Christmas party expenses through my Limited Company? The Christmas season is officially here and contractors working in corporate environments can’t fail to notice that their salaried colleagues are gearing up for the company Christmas party. There’s no need for contractors to feel left out though. HMRC allows even the smallest Limited Company […]
The benefits of LinkedIn for contractors
The benefits of LinkedIn for contractors As all contractors know, having a steady stream of contract opportunities coming in is essential to ensure a healthy income, especially if some of the engagements are short term. To help make your skills and experience visible to potential hirers and agencies in the marketplace, one of the most […]
Top 10 technology tools for contractors
Top 10 technology tools for contractors Running your own contractor business does require some degree of organisation and record keeping. Listed below are some of the best apps and tools available to help make this easier. 1. Google Apps A group of Google tools designed for businesses. This hosted service allows you to run Google […]
What is a reasonable mileage claim for a contractor?
What is a reasonable mileage claim for a contractor? Many contractors need to drive long distances in the course of their work for clients. The costs of these journeys and maintenance of the vehicle used are legitimate allowable business expenses, but working out how to claim and what to claim for can get a bit […]
Flat Rate Scheme for VAT – matching your VAT rate to your contractor activities
Flat Rate Scheme for VAT The Flat Rate Scheme (FRS) for VAT can be a very convenient option for smaller businesses, which is why many Limited Company contractors choose this method. The FRS makes it much easier to work out how much VAT is payable and it simplifies administration. However, if you’re currently looking at […]
Working hours of a contractor
Working hours of a contractor There’s no doubt that the contractor life is quite different from being a regular employee. One aspect of this is the potential difference in working hours. The nature of contracting means that there can be huge swings in the amount of work to do at any one time. Sometimes it […]