Unsure if moving from employment to contracting is for you?
The security of a set wage is what keeps most people in permanent employment instead of contracting. In times of growing economic uncertainty, is there really such a thing as a secure permanent position anymore?
Moving from employment to contracting used to be a popular avenue for those forced into redundancy; nowadays, the trend has seen more people moving from permanent positions into contracting as their chosen working style. Our Contractor Attitude Survey reinforces this sentiment each passing year, with a shrinking minority of respondents stating redundancy as their reason for the move, and a growing majority citing a conscious choice to join the contracting world.
With regards to whether you can be a successful contractor in the current climate, results have found that 90% of those surveyed were either currently in a contract or were just about to start one and were, in fact, earning more now compared to when they were working as a permanent employee.
Of course with most things in life, there are both positives and negatives, and the same can be said of contracting. Here is a list of the advantages and downsides that come when making the move into contracting:
There are two options recommended for contractors – to either trade through your own limited company, or through a PAYE umbrella company.
Any accountant will tell you that contracting through your own limited company is the most tax-efficient way of working. However, there will be a number of factors that will mean one will suit you better than the other. For example, if your contract is short term and less than £25,000, then you would probably be better off operating under an umbrella company. To see which way of contracting would suit you, read our comprehensive list below:
Setting up your own limited company couldn’t be simpler. Firstly choose yourself a company name. Then form your limited company on our website, it takes just 5 minutes with your company formed within a few hours. We offer a fully inclusive formation package for just £125 + VAT which includes setting up a business bank account, registering your company for VAT and advice on the optimum share structure of your company.
Next, you will need to consider appointing an accountant. Sure you may be thinking do I need an accountant? Can I not just do the accounts myself? Well, you could, however, you have enough on your plate and the last thing you need to worry about is; missing a tax deadline, making sure that your tax submission is accurate or missing out on any opportunity to maximise your tax allowances.
Caroola offers all-inclusive fixed-fee accountancy packages. This includes:
With IR35 legislative reforms set for April 2021, contractors within the private sector (barring those contracting to small companies) will see the responsibility for determining the IR35 status of their engagements shift from themselves to the end hirer. There are concerns that this will see contractors being placed inside IR35 incorrectly; the use of an IR35 specialist to determine status is the most considered and fair option for both contractor and end hirer.
Contractors facing incorrect IR35 determinations have the option of the client led disagreement process, which gives the end hirer 45 days to respond to the contractors lodged dispute.
Remember that in reality, there will be little difference in take home pay and you may wish to consider keeping your company open and operating the contract through the limited company while inside IR35. If you'd like to find out more about contracting under an umbrella company, visit the Parasol website here.
To appoint Caroola as your accountant, the quickest and easiest way to do so is by speaking to our Contractor Advice Team. Appoint us.
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Appointing an accountant can save you time and stress when starting up on your own. If you would like to speak to someone about any of the above information or any other queries you may have, arrange a callback and a member of the team will be in touch.
If you're already a client of ours, you can speak to your dedicated accountant directly.
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