Contracting News

While horizontal equity concerns linger (and may even warrant another government review), an extraordinary solution is now in the offing for loan charge contractors.

Two cases brought by HMRC are now distinctly different, yet ‘judgement day’ for Churchill Knight and Boox contractors alike may not even fall this side of the decade.

The strange, yet paradoxically not odd case of the folded umbrella, which looks both different and the same through a JSL lens.

Advisers warn it’s still contractors who’ll carry the can, even if it is a ‘cat and mouse game between HMRC and promoters.’

A ‘hollowing out’ of the PM's digital identity policy is welcome — less so the future loss of the right to choose on Right To Work.

Follow and file these 10 that HMRC says qualify to potentially drastically improve your bottom line as a limited company director who works from home.

A tiny mention of it in the chancellor’s speech belies just how large, different and personal this (final) HMRC settlement opportunity really is.

The second-highest REC index score of the year for temporary technology skills coincides with IT contractor demand ‘holding up’ (Hays), and opportunities now growing (CV-Library).

Lesser-known self-assessment issues won’t make them less stressful this year, particularly as the HMRC deadline falls on a Saturday, and with umbrella contractors believing themselves to be exempt.

Where contractors in IT and other key sectors of the UK economy will want to be on the lookout in the year ahead.

While Joint & Several Liability is already triggering requests that deserve short shrift, the Finance Bill alone won’t separate the wheat from the chaff.

What’s in store for IT contractors this year, according to a veteran freelance business analyst who’s seen off recessions, AI-confused agents and even HMRC.

The chancellor may as well have announced ‘While Stocks Last’ on a long-standing retirement saving strategy for inside IR35 contractors. Umbrella users will want to take action too.

A year in review for contractors on employment status and IR35 reveals that, perhaps ominously, the courts are closing ranks with HMRC.

The contract tech staffing game needs to change in 2026, or else flaws in the UK’s broken recruitment system will deepen, with consequences for all.

What limited company directors feeling festive need to know to make the £150 staff entertainment allowance exempt from tax.

Labour postponing the review until 2026 isn’t a problem, unlike treating employment rights and tax status in isolation, which will be a problem — for all genuinely autonomous contractors.

The case of the ‘difficult’ contractor threatened with an NDA for asking the basics shouldn’t be a cautionary tale to anyone seeking IT contracts in 2026. But it probably will be.

Contrary to popular belief, the UK’s Skilled Worker route is operating as a premium IT recruitment channel, not a discount store.

A boon for limited company contractors is now envisioned next year thanks to three small words tied to April’s JSL.

The chancellor’s extra 2% on dividends for workers she just implied aren’t workers shows that Reeves doesn’t grasp the trade-off at the heart of UK entrepreneurship.

What contractors should know about the upcoming BADR increase, and why understanding, clarity and avoidance are key ahead of the £4,000 tax hike.

A tempering of ambition with pragmatism. A shaping of policy with evidence. Both are hopefully signs of the Employment Rights Bill consultations to come.

An ignoble nine directors are a warning not to ignore, especially for contractors with BBL concerns who are about to close.

As the government continues to flatter IR35, the data needed to truly gauge the full, detrimental impact of the HMRC rules is conveniently not being disclosed.

Today’s perfect storm of pressures on temporary technology workers is greater than ever. All the more reason to dig deep, self-believe and adapt.

The “interesting” case of the nurse who won at the ET, but who’s now lost at the EAT, contains some key admissions for Labour, as well.

A full list of winners from the seventh annual Contracting Awards.

Officials' insistence that digital ID cards will be internally resourced is not convincing analysts, agents, and trade bodies, who argue that IT contractors will inevitably be involved.

A few good reasons why the ‘token gesture’ should avoid the axe probably need offsetting against alignment and adjustment risks to dividends on Nov 26th.

Self-employment isn’t a tax dodge — it’s a benefits gap. Fixing it with ‘parity’ would cost the Treasury more than it’d raise.

An unpacking of the Court of Appeal upholding HMRC’s consecutive wins over a ‘careless’ umbrella, thrice ruled to have wrongly reimbursed contractor travel expenses.

Beware, because a last-ditch push from disguised remuneration schemes looking to cash-in before April 2026’s closing date is underway.

Pressure by UK plc to water down late payment rules must be ignored, or else contractors face another half-measure, dressed up as reform.

A soon-to-be published review of settlement terms will reveal HM Treasury still deciding the fate of loan charge contractors, as even its ex-HMRC author says he won’t have ‘first voice.’  

Mismanaging the off-payroll working rules lands the Welsh government environment agency with a still ‘staggering cost.’

In a world with a lower VAT ceiling than today’s, expect fewer unregistered rivals, potential FRS tweaks, and more HMRC compliance noise.

The VAT ceiling is tipped to either rise or fall on November 26th. Here’s why PSCs should hope it’s hiked to £100,000.

Why I’d bet my insolvency licence on the wisdom of avoiding unlicensed firms.

The government response to Ray McCann’s HMRC loan charge findings will be published before or on November 26th, ‘a fiscal event.’