Contracting advice + moving to Gent advice

[MaineDAWG2008]

Just been offered a long term 12 month contract, literally on Friday.

Contemplating on whether to accept it or not. Its in Gent, which is not far from Brussels/Antwerp. Anyone been?

Secondly if im contracting, shall I setup my own company or rely on agency payroll (whom are also based in Brussels)

Any advice would be much welcomed.

Thanks in adv.

 

[roaminblue]

I know there are a couple of long term contractors that can give you better advice, but I believe that in general ltd companies are better if you plan on contracting for the foreseeable, and to make you compliant with the regs that replaced ir35. Apparently umbrella companies can be a hassle when proving compliance.

However, make sure you fully understand the tax laws in the country you work in. Some will tell you you only need to pay British tax as a contractor, others will tell you otherwise.

I think it is legal in most to use a uk ltd company as long as you are paying the right tax. But definitely look it up.

There are companies that sill set up ltd companies for you for a specific purpose and advise on tax and legislation also.

 

[simonk]

We stayed there when we played Lokeren.
Its a really nice town. Quite old, lot of canals with a little red light district thrown in for fun.

 

[Prestwich_Blue]

It really depends on the nature and wording of your contract and whether you're being employed directly by the client, on a fixed-term contract, or you're being taken on via an agency as a third party or independent contractor. Even then, it can entirely depend on how HMRC see it.

You mention an agency so it might be worth asking whether they consider the contract is inside or outside IR35.

Also as roaminblue says, it depends on whether you're planning to work as a contractor long-term. If not, then payroll is probably best. Are you being paid expenses or not? If not, then setting up a limited company means you can claim these against your income whereas going on the payroll means they come out of your post-tax income. You really need specialist advice.

 

[belly2000]

As most people say it depends if your paid by an agency here. Are you hourly paid? You'll keep more if you set up your own. IR35 was a big thing when it came in years ago but very few people got done, it's even less so now. I contract down in the midlands with all the other car designers and engineers and have not heard of anyone in the last five years getting investigated.

 

[otherwise]

My brother is currently living in Liege, before that he lived in Brussells for a little over 4 months. I think he liked the nightlife aspect of it but absolutely detests anything to do with Belgian bureaucracy. He was also briefly in Gent and said it was a nice place and seemed a more organized than Brussells.

I would definitely check out all of the bureaucractic hoops you would have to jump thru before accepting the offer.