It has never been a better time to be a freelance contract worker within the UK, growing numbers of agencies are becoming more and more reactive to the countries growing demand for a more flexible workforce.We have seen over a 40% growth in our business each year for the past 2 years, which is a clear sign of a change in which hirers are addressing their recruitment needs. With growth, comes further burdens to continue to grow unless processes are in place to support these … [Read more...]
IR35 Guidance – April 2020 changes to off-payroll working for clients
Overview Off-payroll working rules change on 6 April 2020 and are applied differently. From this date, all public authorities and medium and large sized clients will be responsible for deciding the employment status of workers. Who the rules apply to Some rules already apply to all public sector clients, but from 6 April 2020 medium and large-sized private sector clients also need to apply them. The private sector includes third sector organisations, such as some charities.The rules apply … [Read more...]
IR35 and the Private Sector changes April 2020
This has and will be a very hot topic over the coming months with the April deadline fast approaching. The new “off-payroll” tax rules are coming in to effect across the private sector as of 6th April 2020. The revamp of the existing IR35 laws, which were introduced in 2000, ensuring that contractors not meeting HMRC’s definition of Self-Employed are not benefiting from tax breaks that are associated with contracting.Since the Public Sector changes back in 2017, the rules require companies … [Read more...]
Are Agencies taking a contractor’s earnings serious enough?
With workers becoming more and more in demand and a lack of work currently available for skilled temporary/contracted workers, there is more emphasis on the agencies to offer a better service. This is not only with their on-boarding, but also to give the worker the flexibility to be able to earn more. A happy worker will not only return, but also spread the love by recommending to fellow co-workers on their experience.This experience not only works for agencies but also from a payroll … [Read more...]
Preferred Supplier Lists
As we settle into 2019 it is time to reflect and review on how we are doing, to avoid regulatory penalties and improve our business for the coming year.Many recruitment agencies use preferred supplier lists (PSL) for umbrella companies, but how do you ensure this is followed by your workforce? There has been mention of HMRC targeting individual consultants for unpaid tax, due to direct payments made by providers.Referral incentives place consultants at risk and can leave businesses open … [Read more...]
Leading payroll solutions provider ePayMe gains Professional Passport accreditation and joins trade body APSCo
ePayMe, the leading outsourced payroll services provider for the recruitment industry, has been named an Approved Supplier by employment industry recognition scheme, Professional Passport, at the same time as becoming an affiliate member of APSCo, the international trade association for the recruitment industry.The Professional Passport accreditation scheme involves rigorous auditing of ePayMe’s service levels, in-house systems, work practices and staff training. Combined with the APSCo … [Read more...]
Consultants taking incentives, be warned: HMRC are coming for you!
Last week we shared important information surrounding incentives given to recruitment consultants https://www.epayme.co.uk/your-provider-may-giveth-but-hmrc-may-taketh-away/FCSA have recently published information regarding the HM Revenue & Customs investigating recruitment consultants, and made the following statement ‘Recruitment agencies please beware! Last week some recruitment consultants starting receiving bills from HMRC for unpaid tax on incentive payments. It seems that the … [Read more...]
Just when I thought I was OUT, they pull me back in
With ongoing research by many commentators showing that contractor’s confidence in HMRC’s IR35 CEST (Check Employment Status Test) tool is low, questions are now turning to whether the tool is now even fit for purpose. This is especially prevalent with the governments supposed determination to implement these changes to the private sector.The CEST tool is used by contractors’ and Public Sector Authorities to accurately assess and determine an engagement’s IR35 status. Provided the … [Read more...]
To Prefer or not To Prefer…. That is the question
Whilst many Recruitment Agencies utilise a Preferred Supplier List (PSL) of umbrella companies and contractor accountants, how sure can stakeholders of an agency be that this is being enforced by their workforce?Unfortunately, not everyone plays fair and with the introduction of various pieces of legislation in the past few years, the need for an agency and its directors to protect itself has never been greater. The new Criminal Finance Act especially includes the corporate offence which … [Read more...]
Your Provider May Giveth but HMRC May Taketh Away!
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...]