Short 5 week contract. Don't have company setup. What should I do?

[TheLearner2008]

Hi there,

I have never contracted before but I want to do a short 5 week contract and then move back to permanent work.

Can you please help advise me or what I should do in terms of tax and business bank account and company. Must I set all this up or can I just get the client to invoice me directly? Would agents allow this?

Cheers

[SueEllen]

Join an umbrella

[SlipTheJab]

Join an umbrella

Really? surely just register income as a sole trader, pay HMRC their due and move on...

[SueEllen]

Really? surely just register income as a sole trader, pay HMRC their due and move on...

If the contract is through an agency that won't be allowed.

[FarmerPalmer]

will the agent run it PAYE ? That sounds easiest for just 5 weeks.

[m0n1k3r]

Hi there,

I have never contracted before but I want to do a short 5 week contract and then move back to permanent work.

Can you please help advise me or what I should do in terms of tax and business bank account and company. Must I set all this up or can I just get the client to invoice me directly? Would agents allow this?

Cheers

If it is direct with the client then register as self-employed.

If it is through an agency then hire yourself a temporary employer (also known as an 'Umbrella' in the UK for unknown reasons).

[Lance]

If it is direct with the client then register as self-employed.

If it is through an agency then hire yourself a temporary employer (also known as an 'Umbrella' in the UK for unknown reasons).

It's called an umbrella as you are under it.
It's supposed to imply some sort of protection but in reality it doesn't other than you don't have to run a LTD.