Offshore scheme users face requirement to notify HMRC. Contractors can have their say on their incoming requirement to notify the taxman if they use an offshore structure with evasion “characteristics” which its creator failed to declare.Under proposals published last week, the parties behind such “complex offshore arrangements” structures must inform them to HMRC and provide a list of clients using it.But if the creator (or promoter) fails to declare the arrangements -- which the … [Read more...]
Don’t be left in the dark about your Self-Employed Status
For many years being Self Employed meant working for yourself with no input from anyone else. Gone are the days of “cash-in-hand” as HMRC are clamping down on the whereabouts of Tax and NI for these services. If you are actively sourcing your own work for yourself and have no input from another source then you can be classed as self-employed, if however, you rely on an agency to source you this work then you are classed as employed and so will need to be PAYE or Limited status.PAYE can be … [Read more...]
HMRC off-payroll changes put recruiters in firing line
Recruiters fear “ill-conceived” changes to the rules regarding off-payroll workers will have a negative effect on the industry and could place some agencies on the wrong side of the law.Chancellor Philip Hammond announced in his Autumn Statement that the responsibility for operating IR35 off-payroll working rules and paying the correct tax will shift to the body paying the worker's company, potentially the recruitment agency.The new rules mean that when a worker provides their services … [Read more...]
HMRC ‘unwilling to give any steer’ on IR35 changes
The taxman is “unwilling to give any steer” on his approach to April’s IR35 changes to the very parties who will be liable and responsible for those changes, an agency body alleges.This current reticence by HMRC to provide the parties with the “real detail” on how the new rules will work makes it probable that it won’t be released until next year, says APSCo.The agency body reached this conclusion after it held a meeting with the Revenue’s policy officers Neil Chattell and Julie De … [Read more...]
97% of contractors much happier than employees, says new survey – find out why
Satisfaction levels amongst contractors are significantly higher than those of permanent employees, as more workers around the globe choose to make the leap into flexible working.The findings in ‘Independent work: choice, necessity and the gig economy’ – a study by McKinsey Global Institute (MGI) – show that 97% contractors are much happier than their permanent counterparts, recording greater satisfaction levels in almost every aspect of their work.The report also shows that:Up to … [Read more...]
HMRC launches new employment status unit
Recruiters have been urged to review their practices to ensure individuals are not being misclassified as self-employed.The warning comes from employment lawyers after it emerged HM Revenues & Customs is launching a specialist unit to investigate firms suspected of withholding employment protection from workers, by using agency staff or calling them self-employed.The move was confirmed last week in a letter from financial secretary to the Treasury, Jane Ellison, to Labour MP Frank … [Read more...]
£20,000 trainee GP offer to boost doctor recruitment
Dr Heidi Phillips said her profession faced "huge challenges" to hire and keep GPs.New cash incentives will be offered to doctors who train and work as GPs in Wales in a bid to tackle an issue with recruitment.Junior doctors will get £20,000, providing they stay for at least one year after completing their training.Those who train as GPs will also get a one-off payment of £2,000 to cover the cost of their final exams.It is part of a Welsh Government campaign to get doctors to … [Read more...]
Pension Re-enrolment is here!
We can’t believe that it’s been 3 years since we first completed Auto Enrolment. This means those who have opted out previously and more than 12 months ago, will be re-enrolled if eligible. Here’s what the Pensions Regulator says about re-enrolment:Every three years you must put certain staff back into a pension scheme. This is called ‘re-enrolment’.Your re-enrolment duties must be carried out approximately three years after your automatic enrolment staging date.Your … [Read more...]
World Teacher’s Day, are you celebrating?
We would love to hear what everyone is doing for World Teacher's Day, send in your stories for a chance to win a prize for the best teachers tales to us!*So how did World Teacher's Day transpire?World Teachers' Day, held annually on October 5 since 1994, commemorates teacher organisations worldwide. Its aim is to mobilise support for teachers and to ensure that the needs of future generations will continue to be met by teachers.According to UNESCO, World Teachers' Day represents a … [Read more...]
Are you ready for the National Minimum Wage changes?
Although the minimum wage for the 25's and over was changed in April when the National Living Wage came into play, there are a few changes for the 1st October for other age groups.Below are the new National Minimum Wage rates:£7.20 - the rate for workers aged 25 and over £6.95 - the 21-24 rate £5.55 - the 18-20 rate £4.00 - the 16-17 rate £3.40 - the Apprentice rateIf you are in doubt as to the agency rates for contract workers or minimum processing rates for our different … [Read more...]