Reply to: Advice needed

[MrRobin]

I've only just checked how it grew - there's a great ASCII picture of the Mona Lisa in there at the end

(Sorry - I know)

Argghh! That hurts my eyes!

[SueEllen]

It was inspired by this post on OTN though as a wonderful example of how to ask for help

[TheFaQQer]

Hahaha... that is trolling at its very best.

I've only just checked how it grew - there's a great ASCII picture of the Mona Lisa in there at the end

(Sorry - I know)

[MrRobin]

It was inspired by this post on OTN though as a wonderful example of how to ask for help

Hahaha... that is trolling at its very best.

[Sockpuppet]

I don't see how I would be paying more tax than I need to if I become an 'employee' of my mate's company? I would be paying Tax & NI (Employers & Employees) the same as I would for my own Ltd company. Equally I will be drawing the same 'expenses'.

They are called dividends.

[TheFaQQer]

Where is this mythical blog you speak of?

Can't tell you that - it would make me to identifiable

Here's my tips though:
Top tips for how not to get help:

1 - Use the caps lock key all the time. Shouting at people makes them respond better.
2 - Don't bother to try and solve the problem yourself, someone else will do it.
3 - They will do it quicker if you keep shouting about how URGENT it is.
4 - If you need to include code samples, don't format it. People helping out enjoy having to format your code so that it's legible.
5 - When someone else helps you, never say thanks.
6 - If you get no responses, complain about how bad the product is, and Microsoft is much better.
7 - Never include an error message - just say that it doesn't work. Experts love this, as it gives them something else to do.
8 - Don't ask for help, demand it. Then demand it quickly.
9 - When someone helps you, demand that they explain what they did and why your code didn't work.

It was inspired by this post on OTN though as a wonderful example of how to ask for help

[Moscow Mule]

Well said - I wrote a blog post about how to ask for help. Shame no-one ever visits my blog to find out

Where is this mythical blog you speak of?

[TheFaQQer]

All good advice here... don't mix friends and money, it will get ugly.

Here's another tip:

When starting a thread in an internet forum, create a meaningful title that introduces the content of what you are asking / stating, not just an arbitrary 'Advice needed' or 'I have a question' etc etc.

Ta.

Well said - I wrote a blog post about how to ask for help. Shame no-one ever visits my blog to find out

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

I don't see how I would be paying more tax than I need to if I become an 'employee' of my mate's company? I would be paying Tax & NI (Employers & Employees) the same as I would for my own Ltd company. Equally I will be drawing the same 'expenses'.

If you are outside IR35, you won;t pay NI and PAYE on your earnings as you will be able to declate dividends. Its the main financial advantage of contracting. There's a lot of info on here about this.

[MrRobin]

All good advice here... don't mix friends and money, it will get ugly.

Here's another tip:

When starting a thread in an internet forum, create a meaningful title that introduces the content of what you are asking / stating, not just an arbitrary 'Advice needed' or 'I have a question' etc etc.

Ta.

[HYpno27]

Ditto all the above

Friends and business generally don't mix.

Other than payment terms possibly being longer, check your liability clause in the contract when going direct and make sure you have insurance to cover it. Probably nothing to worry about, but you don't want to be on the receiving end of a £1m law suit with no insurance

[TheFaQQer]

1.) There's no point in contracting as employee of your mate's company. You'd be taxed as an employee so no benefit.

2.) Your mate might also lose his eligibility for flat rate VAT by virtue of your turnover taking it over the threshold.

3.) Keep your friend as a friend because as sure as can be he won't be your friend long when you work for him.

WHS.

Plus, get hold of a standard contract from PCG for use with the client.

[Alan @ BroomeAffinity]

Miffy's right. I could give you some cracking examples from my files but the best one was 2 (non-contractor) clients went in to business together building houses. One was the other's best man. 6 months later they were in the high court as one had bilked the other out of £500 per week for six months - claiming he was paying labour on the QT which he wasn't. There was also a finance guarantee signed and witnessed fraudulently.

The solicitors are making a fortune, so at least someone's smiling. Shame its an oily court rat!

[miffy]

I agree with SP. Keep things seperate all the way.

As an example, an old permie manager from a few years back setup in business with a good friend. Even with everything supposedly water tight he somehow managed to rip him off to the tune of 250k and disappear.

Money makes people do crazy sh*t.

[sweetpeanuts]

Well, the contract is for 6 months initially then probably another 12 months after that.

I don't see how I would be paying more tax than I need to if I become an 'employee' of my mate's company? I would be paying Tax & NI (Employers & Employees) the same as I would for my own Ltd company. Equally I will be drawing the same 'expenses'.