Following the consultation period on the draft Agency Workers Directive (AWD), the Trade Union Congress (TUC) has called on the Government to consider all potential legal loopholes when implementing the new regulations.

For many contractors, the Flat Rate VAT (FRV) Scheme provides a simple and often lucrative alternative to accounting for VAT using standard VAT accounting principles.

With Christmas just around the corner, it’s seems the Government have thrown themselves well and truly into the festive spirit. Umbrella company contractors will be pleased to hear that the new rates for maternity, paternity, and statutory adoption pay will rise from £123.06 per week to £124.88 from 4 April 2010.

At one point it seemed as though HMRC’s radar was focused solely on the Construction Industry, but now their gaze has fallen hard and fast on limited company contractors (yet again). In the last month Accountax have seen a 162 % increase in the number of IR35 enquiries instigated by HMRC.

According to Howard Archer, chief European and UK economist at IHS Global Insight, last week’s Pre-Budget Report was merely a “stopgap” and that further increases in tax and cuts in government spending are likely in 2010.

In his Pre Budget Report last week, the Chancellor outlined further plans to clamp down on individuals who utilise offshore bank accounts in an attempt to bypass the UK tax system.

Do you need help completing Companies House Form IN01? Heres the second part of our video tutorial that provides everything you need to know.

According to research by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), contractors earning an average annual salary of £30,000 will face a difficult year in 2010.

Do you need help completing Companies House Form IN01? Here’s a step by step video tutorial that explains everything you need to know.

Those of us who have an income of £150k+ have the unwelcome prospect of a new 50% tax rate with effect from April 2010. A multitude of mitigation options have been suggested by “experts” that range from the sensible to the ridiculous.