chuck3201's comments

Looks nice, but I'd prefer a train where the view out the window isn't blocked by some guy hanging on to the outside of the train ;)

Like everything in life you need a balance between the "business types" and the "creative nerds". To think that any one personality type is far superior to any other shows a lack of understanding of the human condition.

> I honestly believe that if the nerds told them to fuck off and started spending their time working on things they think are relevant, the world would become much better quickly. This won't happen, I know.

Most of the "creative nerds" I have encountered in this industry are arrogant, have grandiose beliefs about their own intelligence and have zero empathy for anybody who is not exactly like them. I don't think things would be much better if they ran the show.

> The day rate being higher accounts for the uncertainty.

Thats partially true, but if you look at outside IR-35 contracts, they might go for £400 / day. While the same kind of work but inside IR35 goes for £600 / day. So HMRC are effectively pushing the burden of a flexible work force entirely on the shoulders of contractors and the clients they work for. This is a huge disruption to both businesses and contractors alike, its also questionable if it will even raise enough revenue for HMRC to make the disruption worth it.

> I very much doubt the directors of larger businesses are paying themselves a tiny salary and taking dividends. It seems to be only IT contractors who see it like that.

You're right, directors of big businesses are paying themselves salaries in the 6 figures and taking out even larger dividends. But for myself, I am usually only in work about 6-9 months a year, I've never worked a contract for more than 6 months, when I'm not in work I spend that time learning and up-skilling to invest back into my career and business. I cannot realistically put myself on a salary of £2k / month when its perfectly feasable that I might be out of work for 6 months or more at any one time. The bottom line is that my working conditions and the benefits I receive (or lack thereof) are much closer that of somebody running a "real" business than it is to a permanent employee, so I should not be taxed as an employee.

> I understand in-IR35 contracts aren’t eligible for furlough?

Honestly I have no idea! I've only ever work outside IR35. I would have thought that inside IR-35 would be comparable to gig-economy workers and sole-traders so they should get 80% of their average earnings over the last three years. But again I am not certain of that.

EDIT: If you're talking about people who work the same contract job for 2+ years and are effectively employed by their client despite working through a limited company, then yes I would agree they are cheating the system. But instead of going after those people, HMRC are making the majority of contractors like myself who are genuinely self-employed, pay for the sins of a minority of contractors who are actually in disguised employment.

> How the tax is handled isn’t part of the deal.

It kind of is though? There is a reason why company directors are able to withdraw money as salary or as dividends - their income is less stable, they take more risk, so they are allowed to take more profit in good times but they feel the pain more in bad times too.

Also, as limited company contractors, we haven't received any meaningful support from the government over Corona. Most contractors pay themselves a minimum salary of around £719 / month. The only government support available to such people now is to furlough themselves which gives you £575 / month, which is only a tad above universal credit.

I'm not complaining about that though, its fair enough because we are NOT employees, but thats also why HMRC should stop treating us like employees too.

You could still get on a bus or train every morning and afternoon? You just need to make the journey a loop so you arrive back at your house each time!

I'm also not trying to sound dismissive or condescending, but it really seems weird to me that if somebody says they are have been doing something for 20 years and now they are bored of it, then they should consider seeing a therapist?

I mean, there are plenty of things I used to like that I don't anymore, should I go see a therapist every time my interests change?

What fixed costs would a freelancer have?

I'm also a contract programmer and looking at job sites the work is completely drying up. There are still a few contracts going but its a small fraction of what was available 2 months ago. What makes you say that business is booming?