26th January 2009, 03:08 PM
Hmm,
have briefly scanned this thread so haven't fully soaked in all the neuances of the arguments but it seems BAJR haven't understood the employed/self employed question. The guidance notes on this site are only a part of the information on the Inland Revenue site. The test used is only a guidline and is NOT used to define whether someone is self-employed or not, it is a tool. The inland revenue state that they look at each individual case as a whole. Saying I cant decide when to come into work so I am employed is not the case.
The best people to quiz about this is the Inland Revenue themselves. They are there to help.
I have been a self-employed digger for ten years but I now am on a long-term contract. I have learned many things about this subject over the years, and many of my friends still operate as self-employed archaeologists. There are pros and cons in choosing to be self-employed or employed.
The main advantages of being employed are the benefits such as holiday and sick pay and pension or health contributions. But primarily if your on a long-term contract you are guarenteed work! Employment for diggers is often on a contract basis for a short period though, and in this case you must be careful about being provided free accomodation, the tax office can see this as an 'taxable benefit'.
The disadvantages of being employed (for me at least) is being tied to one unit, and the loss of freedom to take large chunks of time off when I need to. Also if there was an abundance of work I would actually make more money being self-employed (see below).
The main advantage of being self employed is the freedom to (once a contract is over) move around or take time off. Furthermore self-employed workers can claim much more costs back against their tax. You can set your own rates of pay (although if your rates are too high you wont get the job!)
It is a bit more work being self-employed what with filling in tax forms, and arranging your life around your buisness. Also if there is a shortage of work you have no guarentee of being employed. But as most employed diggers are only on short-term contracts, this applies to them also.
I think for me I was better off being self-employed when I was younger when I valued my freedom higher, but now (as I am old) I am better off being on a long-term contract (especially this year), but there are days when I am tempted to go back.
have briefly scanned this thread so haven't fully soaked in all the neuances of the arguments but it seems BAJR haven't understood the employed/self employed question. The guidance notes on this site are only a part of the information on the Inland Revenue site. The test used is only a guidline and is NOT used to define whether someone is self-employed or not, it is a tool. The inland revenue state that they look at each individual case as a whole. Saying I cant decide when to come into work so I am employed is not the case.
The best people to quiz about this is the Inland Revenue themselves. They are there to help.
I have been a self-employed digger for ten years but I now am on a long-term contract. I have learned many things about this subject over the years, and many of my friends still operate as self-employed archaeologists. There are pros and cons in choosing to be self-employed or employed.
The main advantages of being employed are the benefits such as holiday and sick pay and pension or health contributions. But primarily if your on a long-term contract you are guarenteed work! Employment for diggers is often on a contract basis for a short period though, and in this case you must be careful about being provided free accomodation, the tax office can see this as an 'taxable benefit'.
The disadvantages of being employed (for me at least) is being tied to one unit, and the loss of freedom to take large chunks of time off when I need to. Also if there was an abundance of work I would actually make more money being self-employed (see below).
The main advantage of being self employed is the freedom to (once a contract is over) move around or take time off. Furthermore self-employed workers can claim much more costs back against their tax. You can set your own rates of pay (although if your rates are too high you wont get the job!)
It is a bit more work being self-employed what with filling in tax forms, and arranging your life around your buisness. Also if there is a shortage of work you have no guarentee of being employed. But as most employed diggers are only on short-term contracts, this applies to them also.
I think for me I was better off being self-employed when I was younger when I valued my freedom higher, but now (as I am old) I am better off being on a long-term contract (especially this year), but there are days when I am tempted to go back.