Contracting UK not viable. Where then?

[NickFitz]

I don't know if I can do both, I only tried one.

Thinking you're entitled to a lifestyle where you live in nice hotels, and earn an integer multiple of the salary of someone else doing the same job locally, is brainwashed.

Move where the work is.

I once went from working in London, to working in Yeadon (north of Bradford), to working in Cambridge, all in the space of eight months. There are lots of similar periods of working at various extremes of the country on my CV. Are you seriously saying I should move to London for six months, then move to Yorkshire for two months, then move to Cambridge for three months, though it turns into eight? And keep on moving every time I get a gig in a different place that's too far to reasonably commute each day from wherever home happens to have ended up being on the previous gig?

And what happens when I come to the end of a gig? Do I put the house on the market straight away, or wait until I know where I'm moving to?

What about a gig that suddenly gets its project funding pulled, meaning what was intended to be six months turns into one month; but luckily, I'm able to get another gig almost straight away. Only problem: the gig that was cancelled was near Coventry, and the new gig is in Bristol. I won't even have finished unpacking before I'm putting the house on the market again.

And if I have children, they'd better not get attached to their school, because they'll probably be there for a shorter time than the kids from the traveller encampment on the ring road roundabout.

And how exactly am I supposed to provide a decent service to clients when I'm constantly dealing with the stress of moving house?

I've hardly ever had two gigs in a row that involved setting off from home in the same direction on Monday morning, never mind living in the same area.

Idiot.

[expat]

I think that TykeMerc, NickFitz, and I, and probably a lot of other contractors, are in essentially the same position as far as expenses are concerned: the amount of necessary expenses is large, and they cannot be avoided by moving house because there is no single place to move to.

A couple of £k more tax in a year is not a reason to throw any toys out of the pram, but the potential disallowing of tax relief on £1000-£2000+ costs every month would certainly be a reason to review very seriously the game plan: in my case any significant variant on the plan would probably not involve being in the UK at all.

In my case that is because I am fluent in a couple of other languages and experienced in the work styles of several countries, and I rather like working around Europe anyway. I would find it easier to give up Britain than to give up Europe. In the case of younger people, there might be a lot of thought given to giving up the UK/Europe contracting life in favour of a permie but better lifestyle farther afield. If I were young I would emigrate. No question.

[expat]

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

It seems to me that it is quite simple:
First you check the Automatic UK tests: if you satisfy any of these then HMRC considers you UK resident. IMHO if you do satisfy any of those then you have not in fact moved abroad.
If not, then you check the Automatic Overseas tests: if you satisfy any of these then HMRC considers you non-UK resident. Likewise if you do not satisfy any of those, have you really moved abroad?

What you can not do easily is just get work abroad, keep your links with the UK, come back often, yet claim to have "moved abroad".

[DimPrawn]

It seems to me that it is quite simple:
First you check the Automatic UK tests: if you satisfy any of these then HMRC considers you UK resident. IMHO if you do satisfy any of those then you have not in fact moved abroad.
If not, then you check the Automatic Overseas tests: if you satisfy any of these then HMRC considers you non-UK resident. Likewise if you do not satisfy any of those, have you really moved abroad?

What you can not do easily is just get work abroad, keep your links with the UK, come back often, yet claim to have "moved abroad".

The swines!

[shaunbhoy]

Aren't people overreacting a bit?

Exactly this. Drama Queen alert!!

[shaunbhoy]

Wrong assumption. My rate is pretty exceptional.

It's the constant erosion of contracting - IR35, S660, Dividend tax, offshoring, visas from outside the EU, expenses, etc. that is threatening the very viability of contracting. I reckon there will be no contracting industry to speak of within 5 years.

I reckon you are talking bollox.

HTH

[BolshieBastard]

I once went from working in London, to working in Yeadon (north of Bradford), to working in Cambridge, all in the space of eight months. There are lots of similar periods of working at various extremes of the country on my CV. Are you seriously saying I should move to London for six months, then move to Yorkshire for two months, then move to Cambridge for three months, though it turns into eight? And keep on moving every time I get a gig in a different place that's too far to reasonably commute each day from wherever home happens to have ended up being on the previous gig?

And what happens when I come to the end of a gig? Do I put the house on the market straight away, or wait until I know where I'm moving to?

What about a gig that suddenly gets its project funding pulled, meaning what was intended to be six months turns into one month; but luckily, I'm able to get another gig almost straight away. Only problem: the gig that was cancelled was near Coventry, and the new gig is in Bristol. I won't even have finished unpacking before I'm putting the house on the market again.

And if I have children, they'd better not get attached to their school, because they'll probably be there for a shorter time than the kids from the traveller encampment on the ring road roundabout.

And how exactly am I supposed to provide a decent service to clients when I'm constantly dealing with the stress of moving house?

I've hardly ever had two gigs in a row that involved setting off from home in the same direction on Monday morning, never mind living in the same area.

Idiot.

d000hg is a right dick. Im surprised people engage him and his stupid suggestions. If the DC&S with regards T&S comes in, it will have a greater impact on contractors than the divvie tax IMHO.

[Zero Liability]

Aren't people overreacting a bit?

TBH it was not a great budget for contractors, with many "surprises", so it's understandable. Nonetheless, I do think it will be best to wait and see first where they're planning on taking IR35, as this is anyone's guess at the moment, given how the budget will have completely changed the cost-benefit calculations associated with it from the Treasury's POV. I don't think people are being unreasonable by expecting the worst.

[shaunbhoy]

I don't think people are being unrealistic by expecting the worst.

ftfy

[seeourbee]

What are the benefits of incorporating in Ireland. 12% corporation tax ?
Does anyone have knowledge of the Double Tax treatment on Ireland dividends received by UK resident ?
(or Irish VAT, NI etc)