Re: Impossibly complicated
Contractors do pay tax - IR35 or not. Contrary to popular belief, working through a limited company isn't some kind of "lifestyle choice", but often the only way you can actually get public liability insurance for your work - which if it all goes wrong, you're going to need when your employer sues you.
Plus, of course, we pay corporation tax before we ever get hold of the money. And income tax and national insurance. And tax on any dividends as well, by the way. So yeah, we do actually pay quite a bit already thanks.
But the difference in salary? Permanent people get it in the form of paid holidays, paid sick leave, training courses paid for by work, employers pension contributions (we have to sort out our own pensions, if we want one)... so yeah, realistically as a contractor I wasn't much better off then I was as a permanent employee. Although my accountant was happy...