History
The first umbrella company started since 1999 in UK. Usually the term umbrella refers to a canvas which protects us from rain and sunlight. But this umbrella and umbrella companies does not mean the same. An umbrella company means a different term. It means a company which works as an employer to the agency contractors. They are selected through recruitment employment agencies. Though it was started at UK, it has now become very popular around the whole world. Generally agency companies get contracts. For reducing company’s liabilities, they issue contracts to these umbrella companies. After finishing the job, it issue invoices to the recruiting agency to meet up their payments. When payment of the invoice is made, the company will pay its contractors. Previously, the companies also added some other benefits to the employers.
Working Process
Contractors claimed expenses for travel, accommodation and food. Companies had to meet up their demands. But at the end of the day, everyone was benefited. The companies didn’t have to pay their contractors pensions, sickness and holiday fees, national insurance etc. And the contractors had the right to claim all sorts of expenses against tax. The government and HMRC couldn’t do anything. Then British government implied a legislation named ‘IR35’. It creates tests which figures out employment status. It also checks the ability to make use of little company tax beliefs.
An umbrella company is the alternative to set up and manage a person’s own limited company. As a result, the person gets limited company status. He will also get a back office facility, which provides the facility to turn time sheets into money. That’s why it is the simplest way to become a contractor.
How to Choose
Choosing an umbrella company is not a piece of cake. So, one have to choose companies which are independently reviewed and mostly rated by customers. Umbrella companies should provide simple and expert advices. When a person is going to use an umbrella company, it is very important to the person about the company’s working process. The person should understand what the company does with his money. Because it’s person’s hardly earned cash with whom the companies are dealing with. They should explain things in a very simple way. When hiring an umbrella company, One should talk to the expert and professional persons who not only know company’s stuff, but also explain things in such a way that non HMRC peoples understand.
Compliance is a very important fact for these companies. One should hire those companies which are stayed up to date with legislation. Companies should keep their expert teams up to date with legislation. A team updated with all laws and legislations can help much more than others. So, people won’t be caught up by IR35.
Conclusion
These umbrella companies are developing rapidly around the globe. Now a day, most of the skilled and trained contractors are managing their business by working through umbrella companies.
This development has not only been found in UK, but also in France, with a special legislation as same as IR35.