Traditionally this is the Silly Season, when the Press have to file stories about singing sheep to fill the papers since there is no real news to talk about. But actually there are not one but two interesting stories to ponder this week.

Mostly people see the announcement in the Budget as a positive step forward, and even those who previously seemed to have found a new enthusiasm for IR35 seem to have gone quiet.

There’s no doubt about it, the wholesale contractor accountancy marketplace is big business and everyone wants a piece of the action.

Contractor accountants can pass on this welcome news for freelancers and sole traders from Mark Prisk, the small business minister. In a recent interview he said that the comprehensive review the coalition is going to undertake of business taxation will seek to replace IR35 with a long-term alternative.

So where was I…? Back refreshed from two weeks of idleness in the sun, and already looking for the next contract. Don’t seem to have missed anything too serious while I was away.

The plight of contractors, freelancers and temporary workers has once again come under the spotlight this week following the launch of the REC’s Agency Workers Directive (AWD) Toolkit.

UK individuals, including limited company contractors, appear to be committing less tax offences than in previous years according to law firm McGrigors.

According to a recent survey by My Accountant Friend, nearly two thirds of IT contractors could be paying too much tax.

The CIOT, a member group representing many contractor accountants, is calling on the new government to alter the way it makes the country’s tax laws. They believe that we should be following the US model which allows for more scrutiny over tax regulations.

Now the excitement of the promise actually to consider IR35 for a serious reappraisal has died down a little, I’ve been giving some thought to what that might actually mean. What can we expect Son-of-IR35 to look like?

Small businesses and contractor accountants are still in the dark as to whether the new government has set out a coherent plan that will enable them to survive the current economic conditions.

You would have thought that following last week’s news about the possible replacement (or even repeal) of IR35 that there would be signs of general celebration. But nope, not a bit of it. Quite the opposite in fact.