All the latest news from Caunce O'Hara http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news/index Professional Contractors Group (PCG) has in the last month published an article on 'IR35' PCG is for the first time able to reveal the exact amount the restrictive IR35 tax regulation rakes in for the Government. Following a request under the Freedom of Information Act to HMRC, asking just how much tax revenue IR35 raises for the exchequer, PCG can divulge that between tax ye http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=723 ContractorUK has in the last month published an article on 'business 'hungry' for return on IP' Tighter market conditions are compelling the world's creative and technology giants to step up their efforts to sue those who infringe their intellectual property rights.Seeming alert to the value in unique assets, nearly 40% of the largest outfits said they were more willing to earn from their IP rights during the downturn by going to court.This is the conclusion of a study by law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer, which polled 130 corporations, worth between $5 http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=713 ContractorUK has in the last month published an article on 'contractors must plan for VAT changes' Last year a package of measures was announced that will affect IT contractors that supply and/or receive services to and/or from overseas businesses, as well as those that incur foreign VAT. The changes will place a greater administrative burden on IT contractors. There are a number of reforms, effective from 1 January 2010, but the most relevant changes, effective across all of the European Union, to IT contractors can be summarised as follows: Ch http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=703 ContractorUK has in the last month published an article on '140,000 sign up to spread tax take' More than 140,000 cash-strapped businesses have accepted the state's offer to pay their taxes late, having agreed an affordable timetable with HM Revenue & Customs.The firms have been allowed by HMRC to delay paying a total of nearly £2.5billion in VAT, National Insurance Contributions and Corporation tax, among other duties.Released by its staff, the figures for HMRC Business Payment Support Service indicate the number of firms needing a breather from th http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=693 ContractorUK has in the last month published an article on 'Ex-Met chief ‘in the clear' over IT deals' The former head of Britain's biggest police force has been cleared of wrongdoing over its awarding of IT contracts worth £3million to his skiing partner and confidant. Sir Ian Blair, the ex-Metropolitan Police Commissioner, will be vindicated by a long-running inquiry into the tendering of the IT contracts when it reports later this week. The inquiry, by another ex-top cop, will find Sir Ian broke no rules to do with his friend landing police IT http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=683 ContractorUK has in the last month published an article on 'Contractors' Questions: Any tax relief on a £150k IT Purchase' Contractor's Question: I need to spend £150,000 on IT equipment over the next three months and I am keen to optimise any tax reliefs due. Would my company be better off if we brought forward our spending to before our June year-end, or should we split it between this year and next?Expert's Answer: If you can control what period the spending is incurred in and when the equipment is brought into use, then a balance can be struck between sho http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=673 Caunce O'Hara is delighted to announce that all Freelance Contractors who either renew or apply for our Business Combined policy, with effect from 23rd June 2009, will automatically be provided with Directors & Officers Liability Insurance.  Upon purchasing/renewing your Business Combined Insurance policy you will be provided with £250,000 of Directors & Officers Liability Insurance. Upon researching the freelance market Caunce O'Hara decided that Directors & Officers Liability Insurance would be a beneficial policy to freelance contractors.  C http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=663 ContractorUK has in the last month published an article on 'Contractors' Questions: Overseas contract - what is my UK tax burden?' Contractor's Question I was wondering if anyone could offer some advice. I've won a nice long-term contract with Microsoft in Belgium. It won't be as financially lucrative as a UK contract due to the additional expenses of travelling and renting accomodation out there and the additional tax burden (explained below) but I'm prepared to accept that to get "worked for Microsoft" on my CV.At the moment no contracts ha http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=653  ContractorUK has in the last month published an article on 'Recession rubbished 'final' IT budgets' Almost half of corporate tech leaders are recovering from the nasty shock of finding out there was nothing final about their boss's promise of their finalised IT budget.Mainly due to the top brass understanding the slowdown more, or cementing their response to it, the CIOs say their recently set IT budgets show cuts of up to 10%. The downward revisions, which affect 46% of CIOs in all major sectors, came in the first quarter of this year, and signal the m http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=643     Caunce O'Hara is delighted to announce that all Freelance Contractors who hold policies with our office will now have access to a FREE IR35 helpline. Upon logging into your online customer area there is, within your welcome page, a dedicated telephone number for any IR35 enquiries or guidance you may require.  Caunce O'Hara is delighted to offer this helpline to all existing, and new business customers, with immediate effect.  The helpline will take you through to Bauer & Cottrell who are specialists in this sector http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=633 ContractorUK has in the last month published an article on 'When IT Freelancers stop the job search' Exactly when, or in what circumstances, it is sensible to avert your eyes from new IT contract offers might sound like an odd consideration for freelancers to make, particularly during a recession. However the economic slowdown has given rise to the issue. Lower pay rates are inspiring contractors to look elsewhere, but they worry their flirtation with new commitments could cause them to come unstuck in their current role, even if that role has only been verbally agreed, or evidenced http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=613 ContractorUK has in the last month published an article on 'Visa rules being abused to bring in offshore IT staff, investigation claim' UK companies are using lax visa rules to bring in cheap offshore IT staff at the expense of local contractors, an investigation by the BBC's File on 4 programme has found.In a practice that will be familiar to most people who have worked in an IT department in the UK, IT staff are brought over to the UK from a low-cost location - typically India or south-east Asia - to work locally in the UK for a period. It's known as "on site offshorin http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=593 Freelancing Matters have in the last month published an article on IR35. Renewed attention has been focused on IR35 in recent months.  The measure's tenth anniversary came on 9 March - the date of Gordon Brown's Budget in 1999, in which the measure was announced - and Liberal Democrat small business spokesperson Lorely Burt MP suggested to PCG that a House of Commons Early Day Motion (EDM) would be an appropriate way to mark it. PCG was please to assist in drawing up the motion, and it has attracted 79 signatures to date, although that number was still increasing as FM http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=583 Freelancing Matters have in the last month published an article on Budget. Alistair Darling's Budget on 22 April contained momentous news for the economy generally, but very little for freelancers specifically.  The key highlights were as follows.  Corporation Tax The Chancellor did not elect to scrap the planned increase in the small firms' rate of Corporation Tax (CT) to 22%, the last of three staged increases planned by his predecessor, Gordon Brown.  He confirmed that it would come into force one year later then planned, 2010-11, as announced In the Pre-Budget Re http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=563 Professional Contractors Group (PCG) are an affiliate of Caunce O'Hara Insurance Broker and on Saturday 2nd May a few select staff went to their 10th anniversary dinner at Grosvenor House Hotel in London. It was a night filled with entertainment from the start with the highlight of the night being the comedian/impersonator John Culshaw. http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=553 Caunce O'Hara remains official shirt sponsors for Sale FC and on March 28th Sale FC played Bowdon FC in an exciting match which saw Sale win 48 - 22. Caunce O'Hara were joined by over 50 clients for a hospitality event at Heywood Road and although the weather remained dull the day was a success and we look forward to next years. http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=543 ContractorUK has in the last month published an article on 'Recession slows growth in IT consulting' Organisations with niche technical needs were already aboard a ‘flight to quality’ IT consultants when recessional turbulence hit in the final two quarters of last year. The trend, of hiring big-name IT consultants over cheaper ones for projects seen as too critical to shelve, helped the IT consulting sector grow by four per cent in 2008.The Management Consultancies Association hinted that the figure, due in its report later this month, backed its http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=523 ContractorUK has in the last month published an article on 'When IT consulting might recover' IT developments are set to be a big driver of the UK's fiscal recovery and if consultancies get them right, these products, projects and programmes will help boost the economy and actually bring forward its comeback. As Britain's skills in IT and consultancy are much valued abroad, export markets will also play an important role in aiding th http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=513 ContractorUK has in the last month published an article on 'Consultants hit harder than in dot com crash' Demand for freelance IT consultants is at a much lower ebb in this recession than when the tech industry bubble burst after the dot com crash seven years ago.Issuing the verdict, the director of the Management Consultancies Association’s think-tank said clients agreed that their current use of such staff was less than in 2002. Fiona Czerniawska said that back then, IT freelancers were seen as good, cheap alternatives to consulting firms, as many had http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=503 ContractorUK have recently published the following article:- "HMRC has spelt out how service companies can assess their liability to the IR35 and MSC tax laws, seeming to head off renewed attacks its demand on P35s is ambiguous. Last year, advisors blasted the two-part probe, number 6 on the form, which asks whether the employer is a service company, and if so, whether it operates the tax rules. At the time, legal experts derided the first part as “meaningless”, saying ‘service company’ lacked a statutory definition and had no fixed make-up in http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=493 ContractoruK have recently published the following article:- "Gloom in the IT jobs market is contained by a report showing that the current number of out of work contractors is only around half of what it was following the dotcom crash. Despite IT contractor demand and pay now hurting more than they were in the last downturn, their long-term joblessness today is just 7.5%, down from 13% in 2003, the report says. Since the tech bubble burst months earlier, which led to mass lay-offs, organisations have insisted on leaner IT units, meaning they now have far fewer IT ro http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=483 Freelancing Matters have in the last month published an article on Corporation Tax The Treasury has continued its review of Corporation Tax (CT) for smaller companies. PCG contributed to the first round of this review in 2008, and suggested that CT is not a major problem for freelancers when compared to IR35. The review has looked at issues including: the relative complexity of the returns needed for the smallest companies, compared to the tax affairs of non-incorporated businesses; accounting rules and standards; and the allowability of entertainment as a business expense. PCG has http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=473 Freelancing Matters have in the last month published an article on Larkstar. The High Court has ordered that the General Commissioners re-hear the IR35 case of Larkstar Data Ltd, having ruled that they misdirected themselves in law at the initial hearing. PCG supported the case after Larkstar’s owner successfully defended himself at the Generals and HMRC appealed. The High Court has not made a written judgement available, and as FM closed for press PCG was seeing a written transcript of the judge’s comments to assess the significance, or otherwise, of the ruling. http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=463 Freenlancing Matters have in the last month published an article on Family Business Tax The 2008 Pre-Budget Report (PBR) brought more significant announcements than many regular Budgets: the headline for freelancers was that the proposals for a Family Business Tax were dropped for at least one. The fundamental problems of the burdens it would impose, and the current economic conditions, may that it never returns PCG expresses its relief at the decision, but also pointed out in an advertising campaign in the national press that the Government had failed to right the conspicuo http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=453 Shout99 have recently published the following article: "HM Revenue and Customs has published new guidance on what to do if you do not agree with one of their tax decisions and how to appeal to a tribunal.  The factsheet relates to direct taxation, including income tax, corporation tax, NIC and capital gains. It applies to tax decisions made on or after April 1 2009. An accountant or other advisor can act on your behalf with this process or you can do it yourself. The factsheet explains that you have 30 days after receiving notice of HMRC's decision to write to i http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=443 Shout99 have recently published the following article:- "Over 60,000 businesses have agreed 'time to pay tax' arrangements with HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) totalling more than one billion pounds.  The Business Payment Support Service (BPSS) announced by the Chancellor in November's Pre-Budget Report provides a fast track service for businesses who need more time to pay their tax bills. These businesses can quickly agree terms they can afford with HMRC over the phone. Stephen Timms, Financial Secretary to the Treasury said: "I'm delighted that HMRC's Business Payme http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=433 Shout99 have recently published the following article:- "A controversial IR35 case has been ordered back to the General Commissioners by the High Court.  The case involving Larkstar Data Ltd has already been heard in the General Commissioners where the result was a victory for its owner, Alan Brill, who successfully represented himself. This case is unusual in that it was HMRC who appealed it to the High Court last year. The High Court has now ordered that the case be re-heard by a different panel in the General Commissioners. Managing director of the Professional http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=423 Leading online insurance broker Caunce O'Hara is advising freelance professionals to log-on to make savings on their insurance policies. The number of freelancers buying insurance online is increasing, says Caunce O'Hara as the Web offers the opportunity to drive down premiums in these difficult financial conditions. Many are using the bespoke Caunce O'Hara quote engine to find the right policy at the right price in a matter of minutes. http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=413 Leading insurance broker Caunce O'Hara is pleased to announce its new fan page on popular social networking site Facebook. The new facility will enable members on Facebook to connect with professionals at Caunce O'Hara to keep up-to-date with insurance tips and industry news.Facebook is a social networking utility at the leading edge of the Web 2.0 revolution and has become a valuable resource for companies to advertise and expand their online presence. Once a Facebook user becomes 'a fan' of Caunce O'Hara, they have access to informative articles, images and are abl http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=403 Shout99 have recetly published an article as follows; "A leading accountancy body has called on the government to respond promptly to 'a cry for help' from small firms. In welcoming the recent Anderson Review which recommends ways to improve government advice to businesses, Clive Lewis, Head of SME issues at the ICAEW, urged the Government to provide better information on compliance issues for small firms. The Anderson review revealed that three quarters of SMES struggle to find information about whicb regulations apply to their business and that as http://www.caunceohara.co.uk/news?news_id=393