Contracting UK not viable. Where then?

[SpontaneousOrder]

If yesterday's changes have made it 'unviable' for you then you must've been on a crap deal to begin with. Get a better contract.

retard.

**edit** I don't really like saying retard too much. It sounds bad because the word has been misappropriated. But the sentiment still applies. He gave you a very good explanation of why its not viable.

And the reason I was referring to was the OPs concern over travel/hotel expenses.

[unixman]

Expenses haven't been touched. Rumours that they will be nuked from orbit are just that. The world of contracting continues to swirl with speculation, as it always has, and the world continues to spin. And if it ever happens, charge more.

[xoggoth]

I wouldn't be surprised if expenses returned to the pre circa 1996 situation.

PS Glad I'm retired. Sneer!
PPS Of course all the extra concessions MPs get will be safe. Barstewards!
PPPS And taxation is theft!!!

[SpontaneousOrder]

Expenses haven't been touched. Rumours that they will be nuked from orbit are just that. The world of contracting continues to swirl with speculation, as it always has, and the world continues to spin. And if it ever happens, charge more.

Sure... BUT - that was explained as the OPs primary concern for contracting not being viable (when reading between the lines and extrapolating, in his own judgement).

To say "you shouldn't have such a tulipty contract then" is just a moronic thing to say.

[DimPrawn]

High Net Worth Individual Immigration to Jersey

Very tough on immigration, Not in the EU and nice tax regime:

The standard rate of income tax is 20%, however there is a special and beneficial tax regime for incoming HNWs. Jersey rental income is always taxable at 20%, but for other income the first £625k is taxable at 20% and the balance at 1%. Through pre-immigration structuring it is possible to effectively cap a HNW’s Jersey income tax liability at £125k.

I like tax bands that start at £625k, very contractor friendly.

[DimPrawn]

And if you think leaving HMR&C behind is as simple as moving abroad, think again:

http://www.pwc.com/en_JG/jg/publicat...dence-test.pdf

[TykeMerc]

I don't much care about the taxes, but the expenses is a killer for me: I typically work short contracts (it's the nature of the work); 3-6 months, in widely varying places in Europe. The travel and subsistence costs are very high. I can't just make the choice to go and live where the work is, in 3 months time my contract will be somewhere else.

OK, contracts in NL are good because you do local payroll and get the 30%; and in Switzerland because they will let you claim travel and subsistence on local payroll; but contracting through the Ltd Co just got a lot less well paid, if I have to pay weekly flights and hotels out of net salary.

I don't work quite the same as you, my contracts tend to be 3-15 months, but the last time I worked less then 100 miles drive from home was 15 years ago.

The last 7 years have all been >200 miles from home apart from a spell where it was 95% WFH so weekly commutes with sometimes a day or two from home aren't optional. For the last 2.5 years my expenses (I don't take the mickey and claim dodgy stuff) have been £1,500-1800 a month, if those costs couldn't be reclaimed I would struggle to justify taking those contracts.

Depending on how this plays out and with the dividend taxation I will take a long hard look at my long term future.

[Danglekt]

New Zealand seems a good place to go, I know a lot of people who have emigrated, be careful though as it can be hobbit forming

I have family over there, and always wanted to go - maybe in 5 years or so.

BTW your pun is a good one!

[d000hg]

Or course not. And with another post, you look more stupid.

Believe what you want, it's not my responsibility to convince you.

[Project Monkey]

If Oz is so wonderful how come all the Aussies are over here?

Oz is great, it's the Assies that are the problem. Lying feckin b*stards, that ball was on the ground!