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...]
Umbrella usage is set to soar according to 91% of Recruiters.
With the planned changes to IR35 in the Private Sector round the corner, research from the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCO) shows a vast majority of professional recruitment companies are expecting Umbrella companies to be utilised far more going forward.The survey from APSCO revealed that 91% of those polled within professional recruitment believe that PSC’s will be dropped in favour of Umbrella services due to the new rules, which come into effect as of April … [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...]
Banking Provider Confirms No More Contractors
Banking and IT Contractors are reeling after the Morgan Stanley decision to take no more contractors. This is a direct result of Philip Hammond’s and Theresa May’s decision to roll out the public sector IR35 changes in the private sector from April 2020. This will come into effect in October 2019.Existing contractors have been offered three options:Leave Morgan Stanley Immediately Accept a contract that is inside IR35 After 22 months of option 2 they must become permanent … [Read more...]
IR35 in the Private Sector
Act Now!With all that has happened in the Public Sector since April 2017, it was inevitable that the Private Sector was going to follow suit. The only saving grace for some agencies and workers was the fact it has been pushed out to April 2020. Even with this extra time available, it would seem that many are still doing nothing about the changes and leaving their heads in the sand.What we do know is that the Private Sector will mirror the Public Sector once a further Consultation has … [Read more...]
Disguised Remuneration = ‘Loan Charge’
We have been going on about this for a while, knowing it would only be a matter of time before HMRC would clamp down on these non-compliant payroll schemes. We all know if something is too good to be true, it usually is.Disguised remuneration schemes are arrangements that pay loans instead of normal salary to avoid Income Tax and National Insurance contributions.From April 2019, HMRC will introduce the loan charge to deal with the use of these avoidance schemes.The terms were … [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...]
New HMRC Spotlight on umbrella companies ‘does not go far enough’
Umbrella companies inspiring HMRC’s new ‘Spotlight’ publication – dedicated to schemes that avoid tax – has been endorsed by payroll company bosses themselves, albeit tentatively.In fact, far from disliking brollies being in a HMRC series on abusive arrangements, Contractor Umbrella says it is “useful,” CWC Solutions deems it overdue and the FCSA said it was "welcome.”HMRC putting beyond doubt that 80, 90 or 95% take-home pay is not tax-compliant; that brollies are “never HMRC-approved”, … [Read more...]
If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is
Public sector nurses and social workers who have been encouraged by recruitment agencies to take their wages through suspected tax avoidance schemes are now in debt of tens of thousands of pounds following HMRC investigations.Employment agencies have been taking business from rivals by allowing workers to be paid through umbrella companies offering between an 80-90% take home pay.These tax schemes, which are usually registered in places like the Isle of Man or Malta, attract workers due … [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...]