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...]
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...]