Only last week we heard that several recruitment consultants had received tax demands from HMRC relating to unpaid tax on incentive payments received from one or more umbrella companies. If recruitment agency staff accept monies, vouchers and other types of benefit from umbrella providers, they should be declaring this as taxable income.The Government is taking this issue seriously and the actions being taken within the next two years will highlight not just taxation but also the UK’s … [Read more...]
‘Brave’ contractor MDCM Ltd wins IR35 appeal
A brave limited company contractor has won his IR35 appeal, overcoming three status factors that went against him and giving HMRC a red-face in the process.Mark Daniels, who fought HMRC alone in an era of it using barristers, even got helped to his win by HMRC, despite Financial Risk, Substitution and MOO going in its favour.But on Control, HMRC was forced to withdraw its submission against Daniels, director of MDCM Ltd, during the hearing and once tax officials had heard oral evidence … [Read more...]
ePayMe has been recognised as 1 of the top 1,000 UK companies to inspire Britain!
We are very proud to be recognised as one of the top 1,000 companies in the UK. The recruitment industry continues to inspire Britain in London Stock Exchange's 2017 report. The London Stock Exchange Group has released its 1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain report.To be selected for the list, businesses must demonstrate not only positive growth in revenue, but also significantly outperform their sector peers.ePayMe is one of just a handful of providers in our sector listed in this … [Read more...]
PSCs, are you ready for £3,000 less in dividend allowance?
It might date back to an announcement almost three years ago, but a change to dividend taxation will hit PSC contractors – in earnest – from next month, writes James Trowell, head of tax at Dolan Accountancy. In fact, from 6th April 2018, there are significant changes to the tax-free dividends allowance. These changes will reduce the 2017/18 tax-free rate from £5,000 to £2,000 -- per tax year, in 2018/19.The ChangesTax Free Dividends Allowance - £2,000 Personal Allowance - £11,850 (up … [Read more...]
IR35 Forum suggests it’s time to prepare for private sector reform
Signs still point towards an announcement in this year's Autumn Budget, with the new rules perhaps coming into force in April 2019The much-debated future of IR35 in the private sector reached new levels of uncertainty recently, with the minutes from the government's IR35 Forum yet again hinting that reform is on the cards.The IR35 Forum is a group of external stakeholders, including taxpayer representatives and professional advisers, who meet quarterly with HMRC. It was established … [Read more...]
No ‘IR35′ in Spring Statement splits contractors’ advisers
The contractor sector must wait a little longer to learn the fate of IR35 in the private sector, as today’s Spring Statement made no mention of it.“Predictably, our sector has been left in the dark over potential IR35 changes,” says Seb Maley, chief executive of IR35 advisory Qdos Contractor.Referring to a consultation on IR35 -- promised at 2017’s Autumn Budget, Mr Maley added: “The government must realise that the sooner they offer clarity over the situation, the better.”Asked … [Read more...]
IR35: what private PSCs could see in April 2019
While some people talk about fairness and parity between freelancers and the employed, I doubt the government is looking at changing the IR35 legislation because they feel a moral obligation to create greater fairness, writes Mark Lee, founder of ContractElite.The government needs to collect more tax; that’s the real incentive. As chancellor Philip Hammond has already flagged up (and quite nicely, given that his Spring Statement 2018 is just around the corner), the greater propensity for … [Read more...]
Best Locations For Freelancers Revealed
New research from MoneySuperMarket reveals the best locations across the UK for freelancers and Manchester tops the list, thanks to a thriving freelance industry and a high number of start-ups. Contributor Kevin Pratt, consumer affairs expert at MoneySuperMarket.Freelancing is popular with those adopting the lifestyle, with 60 percent believing it’s a good career move. With the option of flexible hours, working from home and being your own boss, it’s no surprise that many people are turning … [Read more...]
IR35 Rules to be Applied to Private Sector from April 2019?
Following examination of the IR35 Forum's minutes from their last meeting, it has been claimed that the rules introduced for Public Sector workers will be extended to Private Sector workers as early as April 2019.This warning comes in spite of the issues and concerns that have arisen following the imposition of the Public Sector rules last year. The Forum's stakeholders and members have been very vocal in expressing their views and highlighting that any assessment of the effectiveness of … [Read more...]
Upper Tribunal upholds FTT Decision in Costelloe MSC Case
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) won the initial case in the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) involving attempts to avoid PAYE Income Tax and Class 1 National Insurance Contributions (NICs) on employment income.HMRC successfully argued that the managed service companies (MSC) legislation and equivalent National Insurance contributions legislation applied to arrangements established and run by a third party - Costelloe Business Services Limited.On appeal, the Upper Tribunal has upheld the original … [Read more...]