Eryn Peters, who helped create the AI Maturity Index and thinks a lot about how work will change, has an interesting idea. She suggests that companies hire freelancers through platforms using ongoing payment plans, where they can easily switch out team members and even create small, flexible “micro teams”. We analyse the pros and cons […]

The post The swappable freelancer team: what is it and could it even be possible in the UK? appeared first on Freelance Informer.

Former England Footballer Bryan Robson has joined the IR35 Decade Club despite winning most of his appeal to the First-tier Tax Tribunal. The case centres on services Robson provided to Manchester United as a Global Ambassador from 2015/16 to 2020/21 via his company, Bryan Robson Limited. Two IR35 and Off-Payroll experts provide their thoughts on […]

The post IR35: What freelancers can learn from Bryan Robson’s tax appeal case against HMRC appeared first on Freelance Informer.

With major legislative changes set to rock the umbrella company sector in 2026, why are some advisories and other hiring companies keeping to an umbrella-only contractor policy? Keep on top of your game by joining the thousands of contractors already subscribed to The Freelance Informer newsletter: New law, new risks The new law shifts responsibility […]

The post Deloitte stays mum on future contractor hiring strategy as umbrella company sector shake-up looms appeared first on Freelance Informer.

The Liberal Democrats Manifesto released this week pledges to end retrospective tax changes such as the loan charge brought in by the Conservatives and review the Government’s off-payroll working IR35 reforms to ensure self-employed people are treated fairly. Tax, personal finance and contractor insurance experts give their take on the proposals and how they stack up […]

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OPINION There are signs emerging that higher tax rates and fees for the self-employed could be on the cards to pay for the Companies House overhaul and new laws over off-payroll non-compliance Many people believe that most problems can be solved with money. But who ultimately pays the price is the million-dollar question. If tax […]

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OPINION HMRC spent 6.5% of its £6.8bn annual budget fighting tax avoidance, according to its 2022/23 expenditure report. For some people, this isn’t enough. They feel the tax authority should be spending more of its budget on “stopping the proliferation of tax avoidance schemes posing as umbrella companies,” one individual tells The Freelance Informer. That […]

The post “Why are we waiting?”: HMRC spent £451m of its budget to combat tax avoidance. Why isn’t the umbrella industry just regulated instead? appeared first on Freelance Informer.

SPECIAL REPORT In just a matter of years, the US labour market could reach a 50-50 split between salaried and freelance workers. Could we expect that trend to make its way over to the UK? Or do too many tax and work status policies remain counterproductive to that type of alternative earning power for the […]

The post Will US freelancing surge make its way to the UK? appeared first on Freelance Informer.

OPINION HMRC has just released its own research into the impact of Off-payroll working. The report follows externally commissioned work that came out in the same week. Dave Chaplin, CEO and founder of tax compliance firm IR35 Shield says the numbers don’t add up By Dave Chaplin HMRC has published the results of its own […]

The post Off-payroll working: firms spending 74 times HMRC’s estimated cost appeared first on Freelance Informer.

OPINION When a nation’s employment options and freelancer freedoms are taken away from them, everyone suffers, including The Treasury and oddly enough, Countdown viewers. Katherine Steiner-Dicks highlights concerns over growing discrimination against the self-employed in the labour market and what it is doing to Great Britain’s economy and ageing workforce. Anne Robinson, freelance TV presenter […]

The post Could the political party that gives a damn about freelancers and their contribution to the economy please stand up? appeared first on Freelance Informer.

Fresh cry for radical change to Off-payroll legislation after IR35 impact survey reveals lasting damage to talent and Treasury revenues Revelations over the “IR35 impact” and subsequent Off-Payroll legislation on the private sector talent pool have emerged following a survey of 3,750 contractors. Overall, the findings paint a bleak picture, not just for freelancers and […]

The post IR35 Impact: Will 2022 be a better year for contractors? appeared first on Freelance Informer.