What Every Freelance Contractor Should Know About IR35 (Feature)

[curleyted]

Originally Posted by freelancerclive

You can't make sweeping generalisations like that! Everyone has different circumstances and to claim that many contractors are freeloaders is wrong!

Don't you work through a brolly? If so you're hardly "in business" for yourself are you?

[freelancerclive]

I use an umbrella because it suits my circumstances. I can't stand people like you that act all high and mighty just because you use a limited company.

[Malvolio]

Originally Posted by freelancerclive

I use an umbrella because it suits my circumstances. I can't stand people like you that act all high and mighty just because you use a limited company.

OF course, the reverse also applies. Being an employee of an umbrella is not exactly standing on your own two feet, is it?

[freelancerclive]

I still take an element of risk in taking short term contracts.

[Bel]

I agree with you. I don't believe it's a question of owner managers having a higher status or justifying having a 'high and mighty' attitude. After all, it's easy to set up a limited company and not that hard to run one. Status doesn't come into it. The only way a business rises through the 'ranks' is when their turnover and profits grow - just like any other business.

But facts are facts. Brollie users aren't in business, because turnover and profit doesn't come into the equation. They are paid as employees, even if they do negotiate their own gross rate. I believe that it's perfectly acceptable to use a brollie, for the right reasons, if that suits your circumstances better. I certainly don't think it's worth being an owner manager if you take on deemed employed engagements.

The only point I would disagree with you on, Clive, is your stance that you take an element of risk in short term engagements? Is that really relevant? Temps also take on the same element of risk too, don't they? Not that I'm calling you a temp - so please don't take it that way.

[freelancerclive]

I'm just trying to point out that umbrella users aren't these mollycoddled people that some make us out to be...