Articles by Reg Bamford on ArticleSnatch.com

Travel Hot Spots â Explore the Wonder and Magic!

Thu, 17 Dec 2009 04:33:28 -0500

Snake charmers, delicious gastronomic concoctions and hidden treasures await you in the markets of North Africa and India. This article takes you through some of the largest and oldest travel destinations in the world, where to go and how to get the best bargain this festive season! Travelling to exotic locations is the stuff dreams are made of. But remember to check out what you need before you depart, by contacting 1st Contact Travel Clinic to check on your vaccination requirements when hunting down your bargains in any of these great markets. Marrakech, Morocco The city of Marrakesh hosts one of the most enthralling markets in the world. When the sun sets, the huge market lights up and transforms into a massive open air restaurant. Food stalls of all descriptions open and pepper the air with intoxicating scents of Moroccan cuisine. After a long day of hunting down bargains and haggling for your souvenirs, rest your head in a traditional Riad. Riads are Moroccan guesthouses that resemble the palaces of North Africa. With beautiful traditional architecture every need is taken care of, including guided tours, traditional meals and lavish gardens. **End Summary** Topics: haggling]]> souvenir]]> Travel]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> 1st Contact Foreign Exchange for ...

I know I should have a National Insurance Number, but why should I have to pay contributions?

Mon, 12 Oct 2009 06:18:32 -0400

It"��s one of the facts of life; everyone pays National Insurance (NI) contributions. These contributions, although common place, still remain an enigma. Contributions are automatically deducted from your wages, by your employer, and delivered directly to the government. So, why do people have to pay these contributions? In this article we ask: What does National Insurance do for you? Your National Insurance Number is as unique to you, and you can be sure that everyone has one. In fact, if you are a UK resident you"��ll automatically be assigned a NI number before your 16th birthday. Foreigners hoping to gain employment must attend an interview, where they must prove their identity in order to receive their NI number and card. National insurance contributes to the government"��s social benefit schemes. These contributions are administered by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) at Her Majesty"��s Revenue and Customs. Let"��s have a look at the schemes.Job Seeker"��s Allowance: Job Seeker"��s allowance (JSA) is available to individuals who are of working age (18 and older, in case of JSA) and actively seeking employment. The benefit is also available for people who work, on average, less than 16 hours per week. **End Summary** Topics: National Insurance Number]]> NI]]>]]> About the Author: ]]>

Points-Based System for Earning British Citizenship To Be Introduced

Fri, 02 Oct 2009 06:28:24 -0400

The UK government has outlined plans for migrants in the UK currently seeking to remain in the country on a permanent basis. A new points based system designed along the ideas behind Australiaâ€™s points-based programme allows would-be-citizens to build up a sufficient number of points which in turn would provide for permanent residency. A variety of attributes and skills currently sought by the UK authorities will mean a key opportunity on a path to citizenship for those who possess professional traits currently in demand. As a test for citizenship, points will be awarded based on a criteria still under consideration by UK authorities. Oneâ€™s economic contributions and skills levels, in addition to English language proficiency, above the level already expected, are currently part of proposals to allow for the earning of additional points. At the same time deductions in points may be on the cards for those found breaking the law or committing anti-social behaviour. The proposed penalties for offences could also include citizenship being withheld or delayed, pending the outcomes of discussion by UK authorities on the issue at present. **End Summary** Topics: UK Visas]]> British Citizenship]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> You don"'t have British Citizenship but you"'ve been dreaming of living in the UK. Or, perhaps, you"'ve always wanted to live in Australia .

Your English isnt so good,but you want to live & work in the UK? Here are 5 things you have to know.

Tue, 08 Sep 2009 10:58:59 -0400

Moving abroad is life changing, there's no doubt about that. Arriving in a foreign country is very intimidating. Strange new places offer you food you"re not used to, making conversation is more difficult than ever, and finding a job can be frustrating and difficult. Here are 5 things that will make your stay, in the UK, a more successful one. 1. Presentation Presentation is everything. When you apply for a job, or if are already working on a contract, you need to be aware of what you look like. Make sure you are well dressed, your website/business card"s English translation is good and all your paperwork is in order. No-one expects you to change things that are culturally important to you. If you have to wear a head dress or have to have a beard, do so! If you don"t have to, it may be easier for employers to identify with you if you don"t. Even the way you speak over the phone is a part of presentation in the UK. Speak slowly and clearly and don"t interrupt the other person. That brings us very nicely to point number 2. 2. Pronunciation. Pronunciation is VERY important in the UK. **End Summary** Topics: Living in the UK]]> Umbrella Company]]> London]]> Contracting]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> PLEASE FEEL FREE TO USE AND TRANSLATE MY ARTICLE BUT PLEASE KEEP THE FOLLOWING IN ENGLISH WITH THE LINKS: Do you need an Umbrella Company ? Get on an Umbrella Payroll !

Benefits of working through an Umbrella

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 05:05:38 -0400

An umbrella company acts as an employer to contractors who work in temporary roles, often through a recruitment agency. It enables you to enjoy the best of both worlds the freedom and flexibility afforded by contracting plus all the benefits and convenience of being an employee. There are both financial and time management benefits of working through an umbrella product.There are two major financial gains working through an Umbrella structure. Firstly the contractor is entitled to a higher rate of pay due to the agency uplift normally provided by the agency. Secondly you can offset expenses that are wholly and exclusively related to the work that you do against your tax. In all instances these are expense or portion of expenses that are within HM Revenue & Customs guidelines. Expense payments will usually be made to employees at the same time as salary payments. Most common expenses are travel, subsistence (lunches) and phone calls. This in essence decreases your taxable salary and therefore reduces your PAYE and NI taxes. You even get a higher net pay!The time management saving and satisfaction comes through the Umbrella product ensuring that all your tax payments are made. **End Summary** Topics: financial gains]]> recruitment]]> contractors]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Weather the tax with a trusted Umbrella Company service. And grab a Contract Calculator .

Can someone explain what Umbrella Companies are?

Mon, 03 Aug 2009 04:41:17 -0400

Umbrella Companies provide a ready made payroll solutions for contractors, removing the administrative duties and responsibilities associated with running a Limited Company. An Umbrella Company will issue invoices on the contractorâ€™s behalf, receive payments from end clients or agencies, calculate tax owed and National Insurance contributions which are due. At the end of this, you, the contractor will receive your net pay in your personal bank account.Contractors are employed in much the same was as any business which employs staff. Your Umbrella Company should be paying you through PAYE, deducting Income Tax and National Insurance contributions from your gross earnings and issuing you with a P45 if you leave their services or a P60 at the end of each tax year. Your employment contract should be drawn up as if you are a â€˜permanent employeeâ€™ with the expectation that you will be working for the Umbrella Company for more than one assignment. Your home would be considered your permanent work place, any assignment you undertake is regarded as your temporary work place, this arrangement enables you to claim expenses, keeping in mind that you are only able to claim expenses that are wholly and exclusively for work purposes. **End Summary** Topics: payroll solutions]]> deducting Income Tax]]> temporary work]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Do you need the help from Umbrella Companies ? Weather the tax with a trusted Umbrella Company service.

How do I promote myself effectively as a contractor?

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

One of the big questions when arriving in the UK is whether contracting is in fact the best option, or whether it will be safer to accept a permanent position. This decision is affected by how risk averse you are, your business savvy and the qualifications you have. In the past, permanent placements were very safe and secure, but in the current market conditions the risks have now all evened out. So why choose a permanent position when you can earn a higher rate by contracting out your services? If you have the right set of business skills there will always be job opportunities for you out there.What can you do to promote yourself and your skills to ensure that you are successful when applying for those contractual positions? Your starting point will always be to ensure your CV is up to standard as this will be your first interaction with prospective employers. Having a CV assistance company assist you with this will ensure that your CV is of a high quality and stands out above the rest. **End Summary** Topics: qualifications]]> business skills]]> job opportunities]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Do you need the help from an Umbrella Company ? Make your life simpler with a Contractor Calculator .

How does PAYE affect me and can I reduce my obligation?

Thu, 16 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

To the majority of people, Tax issues will always be daunting. A select few individuals have managed to unravel the clutter that is the UK tax system, but does it really need to be such a big headache? Or is it just smoke screens and mirrors? Tax calculations are relatively simple but the administration behind them takes up most of your time. Every individual receives a tax free allowance which changes at the beginning of each tax year. In the 2009-2010 tax year the tax free allowance was set at Â£ 6475. This limit is distributed over the whole tax year and your allowance depends on your payment frequency. If you are paid monthly, your tax free threshold is Â£540.00 per month and if you are paid weekly, your allowance would be Â£125.00 per week.The UK operates on two tax rates, the first is for all income between Â£0 and Â£37,400 which is set at 20%, this is also referred to as the basic rate tax. Your allowance will still need to be taken into consideration with this calculation is done. **End Summary** Topics: Tax issues]]> UK tax]]> tax free]]> Umbrella payroll]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Do you need the help from an Umbrella Company ? Make your life simpler with a Contractor Calculator service.

What is National Insurance and can I reduce my obligation?

Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Generally, most contractors who enter the UK will have the same set of questions when receiving their first pay cheque, the one question that features prominently is, what is National Insurance and why do I need to contribute to it? Your NI Number acts almost as your own personal account number. The number ensures that the NI contributions and tax you are paying is properly recorded onto your records. You pay Insurance to build up your entitlement to certain social security benefits, including the State Pension, unemployment pay and incapacity benefits. This number also acts as a reference number for the entire UK social security system. Each employee's National Insurance is made up of two parts, namely, Employee and Employers NI. There are various ways to in which you can reduce your obligations. The main way for contractors to accomplish this is to utilise the services of an Umbrella Company or a Limited Company. In these payroll structures, contractors are able to vastly reduce their taxable pay by claiming expenses that are wholly and exclusively for business purposes. This, in turn reduces the contributions due. Another way in which you can save is by claiming a rebate. **End Summary** Topics: National Insurance]]> contributions and tax]]> State Pension]]> rebate]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> Do you need the help from Umbrella Companies ? Make your life simpler with a Contractor Payroll service.

What is a tax refund?

Fri, 12 Jun 2009 00:00:00 -0400

Most people have heard of folks getting tax refunds, otherwise known as a tax rebateâ€ or claiming tax backâ€ but what does it mean? A tax refund is a payment made by the HM Revenue & Customs (the new name for the Inland Revenue) to someone who has paid too much tax during a particular tax year. Tax years in the UK run from 6th April to the 5thApril, so the 2009/10 tax year started on the 6th April 2009 and will end on the 5th April 2010.. An individual is allowed to earn a certain amount each year before they are liable to pay tax. This amount increases each year and the figures for the last few years are shown below. Tax year personal allowance: 2009/10: Â£6475 2008/09: Â£6035 2007/08: Â£5225 2006/07: Â£5035 2005/06: Â£4895 If you earned less than this amount (from all jobs) and have paid tax then you should be able to get your tax back in the form of a tax rebate. If you have earned over this then you could still be due a tax refund. Why have I overpaid tax? **End Summary** Topics: tax refunds]]> claiming tax back]]> tax rebate]]>]]> About the Author: ]]> We can help you claiming tax back ? Use our Tax Refund Calculator to find out if you are due a tax refund.

Articles by Reg Bamford on ArticleSnatch.com

Travel Hot Spots â Explore the Wonder and Magic!

I know I should have a National Insurance Number, but why should I have to pay contributions?

Points-Based System for Earning British Citizenship To Be Introduced

Your English isnt so good,but you want to live & work in the UK? Here are 5 things you have to know.

Benefits of working through an Umbrella

Can someone explain what Umbrella Companies are?

How do I promote myself effectively as a contractor?

How does PAYE affect me and can I reduce my obligation?

What is National Insurance and can I reduce my obligation?

What is a tax refund?

Travel Hot Spots â Explore the Wonder and Magic!