Umbrella recommendations

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

Freelancer & Contractor Services Association?

The Freelancer & Contractor Services Association

Formed in 2008 by Giant, Brookson and Parasol!


Basically Pops, all umbrella companies work in exactly the same way. The only difference to your take home earnings will be due to differences in the various companies fees - many claims are made but there really is no way to 'maximise your earnings'. Honest.

[ilovehr]

FCA

So Bangface was right......

[Clare@InTouch]

FCSA? Who are they? Probably another AEMC type of outfit that is owned and run by a bunch of umbrella companies looking to promote their own brolly no doubt!!??

Freelancer & Contractor Services Association?

The Freelancer & Contractor Services Association

[bangface]

Don't trust anyone who tells you that you do not need to keep you expenses receipts and look for accreditation, e.g. an umbrella accredited by the FCSA, REC, APSCo etc.

FCSA? Who are they? Probably another AEMC type of outfit that is owned and run by a bunch of umbrella companies looking to promote their own brolly no doubt!!??

[Steven@Parasol]

I recently closed down my LTD.

However, unexpectedly I am finding myself back in the contracting world for a short term.

Does anyone have recommendations for a good umbrella company?

I am looking for good service, quick response times, do not dawdle with payments and as little NI and Tax as possible, within the law (I am not looking for offshore and other loopholes).

Really just looking for a decent one.

Many thanks.

Contractor Calculator recently posted a good checklist as well. Link is here:

Choosing a contractor umbrella - checklist download

The most important thing is that you receive a proper contract of employment from your umbrella and a guarantee of your minimum hours.

A few key things to ask/keep in mind:

The most important thing to note is how the umbrella calculates your pay and their fees and how much you are actually being charged.

Also ask what extras are included, especially which insurance is included with the fee.

Don't trust anyone who tells you that you do not need to keep you expenses receipts and look for accreditation, e.g. an umbrella accredited by the FCSA, REC, APSCo etc.

[SallyPlanIT]

[QUOTE=Pops;1176389
Does anyone have recommendations for a good umbrella company?

I am looking for good service, quick response times, do not dawdle with payments and as little NI and Tax as possible, within the law (I am not looking for offshore and other loopholes).

Really just looking for a decent one.

Many thanks.[/QUOTE]

We pass on all counts
Fees are a percentage with a cap.
Money back guarantee if we make an error.
PM me for details if you require them.

Otherwise, use freelancersupermarket to see reviews and rankings. Good luck

[escapeUK]

You will be an employee of the umbrella company and as such will pay the same UK tax and NI as every other UK Employee the only difference being you can claim expenses which through any legal Umbrella will be mostly just mileage .

Actually you will find you pay the same UK tax and NI as every other employee AND the employers NI. Big difference.

I used Parasol and found them fine, if a little annoying. For instance, they kept thinking they were employed by my client and refused to change things unless the client signed such and such.

I much prefer having my own ltd though.

[saptastic]

Everyone at Contractor Umbrella always been very helpful.

[kayt22]

You will be an employee of the umbrella company and as such will pay the same UK tax and NI as every other UK Employee the only difference being you can claim expenses which through any legal Umbrella will be mostly just mileage .

For what its worth Contractorumbrella are the best legal umbrella company

I used JMK Group recently, and had no complaints. It depends on the role that you are doing whether it can really benefit you. If you are not incurring a lot of expenses then maybe not worth going through an umbrella. You just have to make sure they are 'work related'. But each brolly has different opinions as to what they deem work related. you can also look on sites like freelance supermarket, or even on here to see reviews of the good ones.

[Support Monkey]

I recently closed down my LTD.

However, unexpectedly I am finding myself back in the contracting world for a short term.

Does anyone have recommendations for a good umbrella company?

I am looking for good service, quick response times, do not dawdle with payments and as little NI and Tax as possible, within the law (I am not looking for offshore and other loopholes).

Really just looking for a decent one.

Many thanks.

You will be an employee of the umbrella company and as such will pay the same UK tax and NI as every other UK Employee the only difference being you can claim expenses which through any legal Umbrella will be mostly just mileage .

For what its worth Contractorumbrella are the best legal umbrella company

[Wanderer]

I am looking for good service, quick response times, do not dawdle with payments and as little NI and Tax as possible, within the law

Not asking for much then.

I've heard that Parasol are OK. Have a hunt around to find the one with the most liberal expenses policy and then rip it for all you are worth. You will still pay a lot more tax than a LTD though...

[filthy1980]

bee n using crystal for the passed 12 months, have no complaints, very good on tax & NI too

[Pops]

I recently closed down my LTD.

However, unexpectedly I am finding myself back in the contracting world for a short term.

Does anyone have recommendations for a good umbrella company?

I am looking for good service, quick response times, do not dawdle with payments and as little NI and Tax as possible, within the law (I am not looking for offshore and other loopholes).

Really just looking for a decent one.

Many thanks.