Reply to: my story

[pmeswani]

I don't think it's showing ignorance, it is a good question.

However the HMRC rules are very vague...

I believe you are correct, if you intended to take more than one contract through the same brolly, then the location is temporary from day one. If something prevents you from getting a second contract through the same brolly then it's fine - still temporary.

However if your intentions change and you intend to go to a different brolly or quit contracting, then it is no longer (or never has been) a temporary workplace.

So in my particular situation, I should be ok? My main concern is that the HMRC will turn around and say "Well, looking at resources such as Jobserve, you could have got another contract, etc. etc." and attempt to do me over. I only hope that my PCG+ membership will help me out here.

[blacjac]

I don't think it's showing ignorance, it is a good question.

However the HMRC rules are very vague...

I believe you are correct, if you intended to take more than one contract through the same brolly, then the location is temporary from day one. If something prevents you from getting a second contract through the same brolly then it's fine - still temporary.

However if your intentions change and you intend to go to a different brolly or quit contracting, then it is no longer (or never has been) a temporary workplace.

[pmeswani]

IIRC, if you only work one contract, then you can't claim any expenses back - something to do with it always being your intention to do one job only.

Might be worth checking out before finding out too late.

IANAA.

I think I understand what you are saying. And as you said, it is down to intent. The question is, in this particular climate, where some first-time contractors are pretty much forced to reconsider going back to permie, how does one defend themselves against the "intention" clause?

This is my 2nd contract (where my first contract was via an Umbrella and my second is via my own Ltd), would I get done for claiming expenses if I went back to permie land (especially in this current climate)?

This is showing my ignorance on this particular issue.

[Beefy198]

IIRC, if you only work one contract, then you can't claim any expenses back - something to do with it always being your intention to do one job only.

Might be worth checking out before finding out too late.

IANAA.

Correct. The second you know that you will only undertake one contract you need to stop claiming.

[Mart001]

Try these:

http://www.filetravel.co.uk/

I was paying £25 quid an invoice/payment so I changed my pay to monthly.

[zara_backdog]

I agree with GJ.

I broadly work in support - although I've rebranded as a Migration / Project engineer in Wintel / VMWare infrastructure.

It's difficult to shake off the support tag and it's 1/2/3 line pigeon holes.

It can be done though and soon that £12ph can turn into £300pd...

If the OP isnt a total mong, he could stick with it for 6 months and then try and jump to a better rate when/if things pick up?

Agree.

I started in IT, many years ago as a helpdesk call logger, worked in 2nd, 3rd level support - service management and then became a BA ( just had to get out of a job working 24/7), some of my colleagues bcome developers, DBA's IT managers. A couple still work on a 1st/2nd line service desk.

You have to start somewhere to gain the experiance you need.

[TheFaQQer]

Like someone has already said. Search the forum. But at the same time consider the following...

If you want to change Umbrella company, you would need to check the T's & C's of your contract with the Umbrella. If it states that you are obliged to stay with the Umbrella until the end of the contract, you will need to give notice to the agency and get a new contract in order to go to another Umbrella.

If you are looking to go Limited, then forget it. The amount of money you are earning alongside the length of your contract, it would not be worth the hassle. Accounting fees and other issues such as Insurance, setting up a bank account (in terms of time and effort) would outweigh the cost of going to an Umbrella. I was with Parasol when I first started contracting (3 month assignment). Albeit it was expensive, but it was worth it. Much cheapness does not mean muchness in value.

IIRC, if you only work one contract, then you can't claim any expenses back - something to do with it always being your intention to do one job only.

Might be worth checking out before finding out too late.

IANAA.

[Dante]

I agree with GJ.

I broadly work in support - although I've rebranded as a Migration / Project engineer in Wintel / VMWare infrastructure.

It's difficult to shake off the support tag and it's 1/2/3 line pigeon holes.

It can be done though and soon that £12ph can turn into £300pd...

If the OP isnt a total mong, he could stick with it for 6 months and then try and jump to a better rate when/if things pick up?

[gingerjedi]

1st line Support?

That is the going rate these days, there seems to have been a shift recently where 1st line are expected to do 2nd line and 2nd line are doing more 3rd line server admin stuff.

Too many people willing to take the 12ph for short term gain over their 15k permy role, they don't look at the whole picture before they make the jump.

It pisses me off as the support rates further up the chain inevitably suffer.

[zara_backdog]

1st line Support?

[Dante]

Does anyone know what the OP does for a living?

He could be a professional 'luber-upper' at the Griffin in Clerkenwell.


I'd do that for half his rate.

[neilmcl]

My advice is on that rate stop right now and apply for permie roles.
It is no where near financially worth while being a temp/contractor on thoes rates.

WHS, unless the OP flips burgers for a living.

[BrilloPad]

My advice is on that rate stop right now and apply for permie roles.
It is no where near financially worth while being a temp/contractor on thoes rates.

Exactly what I was thinking.

[Fred Bloggs]

This guy needs a permie job. I think even a clerical type job would pay a better take home salary by the time you've factored in 5 weeks holidays, 2 weeks paid sick a year, life insurance, pension contribution, employers NI, PI/PL insurance etc.....

[chris79]

I too say at that rate it's not worth setting up a limited company. You won't really take home much more, and you're forgetting that that fee includes all the business insurances that you would need on top.

Agreed..

Limited company will be:-

1. ~£80 per month for accountant.
2. Public and employee liability insurance. ~£120/year
3. Professional indemnity insurance. ~£200-500/year (depending on what you do and the amount of cover you need)?
4. The hassle of closing the company once you no longer need it.

You should try and negotiate a higher rate, or find a new contract on a higher rate, or like already said go perm.. as the rate you are getting is probably on par with the perm equivalent. In fact you may be worse off by not having pension contributions, holiday, sickpay, etc. What exactly is it you do for £12/hour?