For freelancers and contractors who work via their own limited company, dividends can provide a very tax efficient method of self-payment.

But what exactly are they? And how do they work in practice? The following guide will give you a…

As a freelance writer, I often browse the internet for useful websites which give advice on the art of putting one letter in front of another.

One of my favourites is Explore Writing which is aimed at aspiring writers whilst…

As part of my day job, I often check out online tools to see if they’re any good. This means that I’ve signed up to a vast array of services which then kindly email about their latest updates.

Unfortunately, I’m…

For many freelancers and contractors finding a good accountant can be an arduous task. As a result, some small business owners end up employing the services of an accountant who turns out to be a poor fit for their needs.…

I recently stumbled across a simple online tool called Wridea. It’s a tool which could be particularly useful for freelancers or start-ups who have ideas which they want to arrange simply and effectively on an online interface.

The idea behind…

For freelancers and contractors communication is vital. Whether it’s general face-to-face conversations in the workplace, email correspondence or phone-based verbal exchanges, it’s important to ensure that we get the best out of each one of them.

For some, maintaining the…

A new survey by chartered accountants has revealed how SME’s are struggling to get loans due to the strict criteria laid down by the banks.

This might not reveal anything we don’t already know, but with small businesses – including…

Despite hopes of its upcoming demise, IR35 is still alive and dangerous and remains a major concern for many UK contractors.

That’s why it’s great to hear that a new online tool has been created which gives contractors an opportunity…

Here on FreelanceAdvisor we make numerous references to freelancers, contractors and small businesses – after all that’s who we’re here for!

But what are the defining characters of each? What follows is a no-nonsense guide to who’s who and why.…

For the UK’s freelancers and contractors these are uncertain times. With fears rife of a double dip recession and the scrutinous IR35 legislation coming under intense scrutiny, it’s difficult for micro-businesses to know exactly where they stand.

The latest tax…

Well that’s the question being asked after it was announced that HMRC would adopt a new strategy in dealing with tax disputes.

Instead of taking a ‘black and white’ approach, resulting in court proceedings or no action at all, they…

Over the last month the coalition government has been taking suggestions from the public on how they can save money quickly and effectively. Some have argued for the scrapping of the digital switchover while others have suggested making MP’s use…

In a previous article, Sleeping your way to success, I talked about the importance of a good nights sleep for freelancers and contractors, and the most effective way to achieve that. One important aspect I neglected to mention was the…

I’ve existed on social networking sites like Facebook and LinkedIn for a long time now. My participation however has been somewhat minimal. My idea of social networking usually involves pubs and actually meeting people.

Nonetheless, I was intrigued by the…

For a long time now there’s been much talk of the drawbacks and benefits of IR35. Well, mainly the drawbacks. But what of the measures that could potentially replace the complex and largely ineffective legislation?

One option which has been…

National Freelancers Day 2010 may still be a few months away, but this year’s event already looks set to reflect the growing recognition of flexible-working as an increasingly important part of the UK’s economy.

Last year’s event was the first…

Last week the Government announced a 52% cut in the amount spent on advertising and marketing, leading to 287 redundancies.

One of the few Government campaigns to escape the axe was the HMRC’s ‘paying business taxes’ series of adverts which…

For most freelancers and contractors, getting a good nights sleep is pretty crucial. Yes, you do get those strange types who seem to get by with just a few hours kip. But they’re not normal. And surely being reliant on…

Are you the contractor or freelancer who likes to be the cool, quirky guy (or girl) in the office?

Well if you feel you’re failing in your mission to stand out from the humdrum crowd, these following desktop gadgets are…