Reply to: Which Umbrella??

[original PM]

I was under the impression that the only reason the brolly needed you mileage receipts was so that they could claim the VAT back.

They did not need it to verify the mileage done.

but things may have changed and maybe I was under the wrong impression in the first place.

[zara_backdog]

I was with Giant at the start of my contracting career and I can't really recommend them. They refused mileage on my journey because my car did better MPG than they could cope with. IE my petrol recipts didn't by me enough petrol to drive the mileage I was claiming. There was no way round this and so I left as I was doing 1000 miles a week which were being refused.

I had exactly the same problem with them over the milege thing! when you had to submit your fuel receipts. They had been OK up to then.

[NickNick]

I couldn't see why it mattered either, however I was unable to convince Giant of that fact, and they therefore wouldn't let me claim the mileage. So I left.

[Beefy198]

I was with Giant at the start of my contracting career and I can't really recommend them. They refused mileage on my journey because my car did better MPG than they could cope with. IE my petrol recipts didn't by me enough petrol to drive the mileage I was claiming. There was no way round this and so I left as I was doing 1000 miles a week which were being refused.

I don't see why that matters - 40p a mile covers servicing costs and wear and tear too.

Petrol receipts are a bit of a clunky method anyway - I'm sure that if you had receipts that didn't quite match the amount you've claimed any reasonable tax inspector would quickly check the mileage on google maps....

[NickNick]

I was with Giant at the start of my contracting career and I can't really recommend them. They refused mileage on my journey because my car did better MPG than they could cope with. IE my petrol recipts didn't by me enough petrol to drive the mileage I was claiming. There was no way round this and so I left as I was doing 1000 miles a week which were being refused.

[London75]

I used Parasol, seemed ok but agree with others, I've not looked back since going Ltd and went with Nixon Williams as they also set the company up for free if you go with them for a year.

Costs similar amount to an umbrella and a others have said you get to keep a lot more of the money generally.

[Money Money Money]

My 2p's worth

[Sausage Surprise]

I found this bunch to be incredibly awful in the past, error riddled payments and had to all but drag them into court to get a few hundred out of them that they owed.

It goes to show that peoples mileages can vary hugely.

Ditto..

[dave20]

If it's only weekend work try sas ltd, www.soundadministrationservices.co.uk
i use them sometimes for agency contracts.

[wonder847]

Indeed. As he's already working full time (and paying PAYE), he's got potentially more to gain by going Ltd. than your typical full time contractor.

Thanks for the advice everyone. With respect to VectraMan's quote above, I guess I'm a rose among the thorns then, as "she's" already working full time and "she's" got more to gain ....!!

[VectraMan]

Assuming you are working full time and are on a decent salary..... I would go limited and store the cash for a rainy day (i.e. if you lose your job). HTH.

Indeed. As he's already working full time (and paying PAYE), he's got potentially more to gain by going Ltd. than your typical full time contractor.

[pmeswani]

Dear All

As a newcomer to contracting, I have been advised to use an umbrella company (something which I didn't even know existed 24 hours ago).

I have been totally baffled by the choice on the web, and wondered if anyone could point me in the right direction of a good company - bearing in mind I will only be contracting at weekends (whilst still employed full time during the week), and won't necessarily be working every weekend - so I don't really want to be handing over piles of my hard earned cash!

Thanks for your help!

Assuming you are working full time and are on a decent salary..... I would go limited and store the cash for a rainy day (i.e. if you lose your job). HTH.

[TykeMerc]

I've found Giant to be okay and used them for 18 months now (http://www.giantgroup.com/)

I found this bunch to be incredibly awful in the past, error riddled payments and had to all but drag them into court to get a few hundred out of them that they owed.

It goes to show that peoples mileages can vary hugely.

[Fred Bloggs]

Surely not for weekend contracting only?

Apologies. I missed that. However, it depends. If it's (say) £450 a day and therefore £900 per weekend, then why not a Ltd, take all Ltd Co income in divis?

[Platypus]

Look at your IR35 situation and if you are going to be outside IR35 you will do a lot better for yourself by starting a Ltd Co. Ton's of info of there on this topic. HTH.

Surely not for weekend contracting only?