My First Contract

[ginge]

Well, I've always wanted to try contracting and a redundancy this year gave me the chance to start (I've still got a healthy war chest even though I've been off for 3 months)

I don't really fit the standard career progression as I like the technical bits, and learning new stuff, and I'm not interested in management/team lead stuff, and although the money is better, I'm not kidding myself that I'll make a fortune Also, permie interviews are a performance now, I can't stand the whole performance review thing, and I'm happy managing my own holiday as I didn't really need 25 days/year anyway

As for tulip that I'm aware of:

Extra dividend tax: not much I can do about that, although I'm on a good rate so I'll just have to put up with it

Travelling/subsistence expense rules: I'm not claiming travel/subsistence as I'm walking half an hour to the client.

Any other tulip I should look up?

Thanks!

[northernladuk]

Well contracting isn't the best place to learn stuff and clients come and go. This one could evaporate up to the time you are stood in reception and you may have to stay away for your next gig. Contracts tend to be three or six months. Planning any further ahead than that is going to lead to a lot of disappointment.

As a supplier you at may have to put up with supplier reviews. Not in all cases and likely not as indepth but still possible

You are also forgetting the doozy as well. The IR35 problems.

If you've really got a grasp of all this and are still up for it then fill your boots.

[ginge]

You are also forgetting the doozy as well. The IR35 problems.

Forgot to mention IR35 above as in my mind it's 'part of the scenery'

I've got IR35 insurance, and I'm getting the contract reviewed

My planning for the next six months (end of this contract) is to make sure I've got money left for taxes, plus plenty left over for the war chest

[kyber]

I don't really fit the standard career progression as I like the technical bits, and learning new stuff, and I'm not interested in management/team lead stuff, and although the money is better, I'm not kidding myself that I'll make a fortune Also, permie interviews are a performance now, I can't stand the whole performance review thing, and I'm happy managing my own holiday as I didn't really need 25 days/year anyway

That sounds deeply familiar, especially the bit about performance reviews - the appraisal system at my last permanent employer was a big contributor to why I took voluntary redundancy, I was unable to protect my own staff and reward them the way they deserved. Being out of that system and having a lot more freedom of who I work for, when and where greatly outweighs the financial benefits and the ongoing erosion of them.