Chancellor Rishi Sunak set out plans for 80% wage subsidies for staff kept on by employers last week and the PM said he wants similar protection for freelancers. However, he stated there was “particular difficulties" for freelancers who are not on Pay As You Earn (PAYE) schemes, but that he wanted to achieve "parity of support" across the workforce.With 5.2 million self-employed workers in the UK, it was only a matter of time before the chancellor put a plan in place to support the self – … [Read more...]
Tax helpline to support businesses affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)
HMRC has a set up a phone helpline to support businesses and self-employed people concerned about not being able to pay their tax due to coronavirus (COVID-19).The helpline allows any business or self-employed individual who is concerned about paying their tax due to coronavirus to get practical help and advice. Up to 2,000 experienced call handlers are available to support businesses and individuals when needed.For those who are unable to pay due to coronavirus, HMRC will discuss your … [Read more...]
Announcement – IR35 Extends into Private Sector
HMRC have confirmed IR35 will extend into the private sector from April 2020. The Draft Finance Bill was released today.Please click here to view the document.If you have any questions about how this may affect your business or your Contractors, please contact one of our team about our products and services on 01252 863700, info@epayme.co.uk or click Contact Us. … [Read more...]
The IR35 drama continues…….
How Off-Payroll toxifies relationships between business, agencies and the self-employed Not only are the Off-Payroll rules an overly-burdensome and unjust amendment to IR35, they also have a toxic impact on the previously amicable relationship between businesses, agencies and the self-employed. What HMRC introduced in a wanton effort to increase IR35’s tax yield threatens to destroy the supply chain dynamic and considerably damage flexible working in the UK.A real-life realisation … [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...]
New IR35 rule ‘raises client risk to corporate evasion offence’
The private sector IR35 reform proposal threatens to expose clients to the new corporate criminal evasion offence if they fail to ensure PSCs pay the "right amount" of tax, a law firm is warning.Assuming the much-disliked IR35 reform plan is adopted, the September 2017 offence could catch engagers if the contractor is found evading tax, as opposed to avoiding it, cautioned Pinsent Masons.So rather than just simply applying a liberal interpretation of IR35 case law, the contractor could … [Read more...]
Thousands of workers are suffering incorrect Tax thanks to IR35
Thousands of employees working within the public sector are potentially being taxed incorrectly in an ongoing fiasco surrounding their IR35.IR35 has always been a tricky piece of regulation, and it seems like it's not getting any easier to manage with time. Serious questions over the accuracy of the Check Employment Status for Tax (CEST) tool are only being underlined by courtroom defeats for HMRC over status challenges. Meanwhile, confusion over the rules has contributed to an 8% … [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...]
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...]