HMRC think you are tax evading scum - what will you do?

[Zero Liability]

Hands up any contractors that have actually lost money.

You don't bear a risk.

You do.

HTH

[DimPrawn]

Hands up any contractors that have actually lost money.

You don't bear a risk.

I've had clients go bust and not pay, and agencies go under from non payment bad management of cashflow.

You haven't got a clue.

[BrilloPad]

So the solution to HMRC clamping down on your ability to legally avoid tax, is to purposefully plan a career based around evading tax?

Great idea.

HMRC think that avoiders are evaders.

[MicrosoftBob]

Hands up any contractors that have actually lost money.

You don't bear a risk.

I've had agencies go bankrupt and one case literally do a runner

[Zero Liability]

I've had clients go bust and not pay, and agencies go under from non payment bad management of cashflow.

You haven't got a clue.

Add to this risk of instant termination when work dries up and the risk of having to rectify any cock ups at your co's expense. If clients don't cjllse to exercise these rights that's their prerogative. I don't see how this is a risk free method of operating.

[Jog On]

We could all become weapons manufacturers and join the military industrial complex - that's where the tax money ends up anyway

Apparently there's £100b of trident work coming up...

[Zero Liability]

We could all become weapons manufacturers and join the military industrial complex - that's where the tax money ends up anyway

Apparently there's £100b of trident work coming up...

Yup a guaranteed revenue stream provided you have no regard for human life.

[DimPrawn]

Yup a guaranteed revenue stream provided you have no regard for human life.

Recruitment agents, please form an orderly line here.....

[Jog On]

Yup a guaranteed revenue stream provided you have no regard for human life.

Well if we follow the example of our illustrious leaders who are of course beacons of morality as well as knowing what's best for us - this is apparently OK...

[VectraMan]

I've had clients go bust and not pay, and agencies go under from non payment bad management of cashflow.

You haven't got a clue.

I had a client go bust and not pay. The permies didn't get paid either.

Even then it's not like you lost money you invested. The tax breaks on dividends are meant to reward shareholders putting in money to fund a startup, or buy a widget making machine so the company can get into the widget business. Most contractors probably only started their companies when they got their first contract job. Nothing's at risk, except maybe the £2 of share capital. And if the risk is that you won't find work, or that the job might end, then those things apply equally to permies.