Criminal Finances Act (APSCo Quarterly Board Pack Briefing)Overview: The Criminal Finances Act came into force on 27 April 2017 and introduces new corporate offences of failing to prevent the facilitation of UK or foreign tax evasion. Part 3 will come into force through a Statutory Instrument in Autumn 2017. It introduces a new corporate criminal offence for businesses that fail to put in place reasonable procedures to prevent the facilitation of tax evasion by their employees and … [Read more...]
IR35 reform in the private sector: waiting for the other shoe to drop
Long before controversial public sector IR35 reform was introduced in April, speculation was mounting that the private sector would face similar changes. And in fact, public sector reform was simply seen as a test-run for the private sector by many, writes Seb Maley, Qdos Contractor's CEO.While private sector IR35 reform has not yet been confirmed by the government, the rumour that this might well happen in time does have substance. Along with increasing media attention, private sector IR35 … [Read more...]
Every Friday is a Good Friday with ePayMe
There has been a lot of dispute in the media about the ‘true’ meaning of this bank holiday weekend, so we thought we might weigh in because we believe it’s ePayMe.We decided to write down some points to help you understand why ePayMe is the top payroll provider choice for all your temporary or contracting work this Spring.Efficient and knowledgeable team to make your payroll as hassle-free as possible. Affordable services that won’t break the bank. Succinct information keeping all … [Read more...]
The Sun Doesn’t Always Shine
IR35 Autumn Statement Public Sector (let's not forget the Private Sector) April 6th legislative change Apprenticeship LevyNot only have the above words been searched countless times on google, been on a plethora of agendas, they remain areas constantly being discussed.No longer a question of when or if the changes will be implemented or even delayed, the legislative landscape has changed – with changes implemented 6/4/17. If you’re not on the front foot now, there is still time, … [Read more...]
HMRC puts its own IT contractors inside IR35
The IR35 digital tool was delayed because the very IT contractors who built it quit the tax authority amid fears it would place them inside tomorrow's new legislation.In fact, the 18 limited company IT contractors who worked on the tool – the ESS – left HMRC on Friday before it was publicly unveiled, fearing for their own IR35 status.“This is why the launch date for the tool was delayed and also why HMRC have struggled to get it working properly,” said a PSC whose colleagues were on the … [Read more...]
An open letter to workers and contractors in the NHS
Dear NHS workers and contractors,We would first like to start this letter with saying thank you. Thank you for everything you have done, everything you continue to do and everything you will do as you continue to slave under the laborious and hard hours working for our National Health Service.After reading through articles by the BBC, Independent, Daily Mail and so on it is clear that you are seriously having a hard and worrying time working where you do. This past year has thrown … [Read more...]
NEST gets better for members
Even though it has been signposted for years, NEST members should have had a small moment over the weekend when they felt a small seismic shudder, because some new opportunities opened up for them on 1 April.1. They can now transfer benefits into NEST;2. They can transfer their funds out of NEST, and3. There is no cap on the amount of contributions that they can pay in.The first is actually more exciting than billed, because there is no contribution charge on … [Read more...]
NHS deems its entire PSC workforce inside IR35
The dozens of PSC contractors who will quit working at a London hospital before next Thursday look like a precursor to a much bigger exodus of such workers from the health service.In fact, despite warnings that 85% of PSCs will quit if decided inside IR35 by their client from April 6th, the NHS has told its entire PSC workforce that it will be caught by the new legislation.In an email seen by ContractorUK, NHS Improvement says “all” locum and agency staff will be “subject to PAYE and on … [Read more...]
U-turn on Class 4 NICs
The Chancellor, Richard Hammond, has announced a U-turn on the proposed rise in national Insurance rates for the self-employed.In the Spring Budget it was announced that as of 6th April 2018, Class 4 NICs would be increasing to 10% from the current 9% in place, with a further increase to 11% the following year.In a letter to Tory MPs, the Chancellor revealed that he has “decided not to proceed” with the planned rise in NICs for self-employed workers, despite only announcing the measure … [Read more...]
Agencies slash PSCs’ pay rates, insist on umbrellas
PSCs are being blocked from staying as ‘Ltd’ companies and applying IR35 because agencies and public bodies want to head off hassle next month of assessing status and withholding tax.Ultimatums are therefore being sent to such PSCs before April 6th, in essence saying ‘convert to a PAYE umbrella, ignore the less-taxing model of being a PSC inside IR35, or be out of work.’“The best option for [you/a PSC], with regard to take-home pay, and us [the agency], from an admin and compliance … [Read more...]