HMRC told MP’s on the Public Accounts Committee it estimates that 5-10% of furlough has been wrongly awarded, with the latest data showing the programme has cost the Government £35.4bn so far.So far, 8,000 calls have been received to HMRC’s fraud hotline.The furlough scheme had paid 80% of wages for the workers placed on leave since March due to the coronavirus outbreak.Employers are being urged to check their claims and repay any excess amount back to HMRC.As it stands HMRC are … [Read more...]
CRJS Government Guidance Update
The government have issued guidance to help employers repay HMRC if they have over claimed through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.We have put together some key points to assist employers with repayments in line with the guidance supplied by HMRC.If you have uploaded a claim in error and want to delete it, you must delete the claim via the online service within 72 hours. If you have made an error in a claim that has resulted in an over claimed amount you must pay this back to … [Read more...]
Scam Advice
A number of people across the UK have fallen victim of HMRC scams such as bogus phone calls, WhatsApp messages, Tax refunds and most recently coronavirus scams.If someone texts, calls or emails claiming to be from HMRC and asks for credit card or bank details it is likely to be a scam. The scams mimic HMRC messages in an effort to look genuine.The most recent scam is via text for a ‘goodwill payment‘ telling customers they can claim a goodwill payment due to the coronavirus. One example … [Read more...]
Summer statement: what you need to know
The Chancellor Rishi Sunak announced measures in the summer statement to help the UK recover from the effects of the coronavirus.Below we have put together a summarised brief of the announcements.Jobs Retention Bonus: If an employer brings back a furloughed employee and keeps them in the job to January, then the Government will pay a £1,000 bonus per employee. Sunak stated, "It's vital people aren't just returning for the sake of it - they need to be doing decent work.”For businesses … [Read more...]
What you need to know about staff returning to work post Covid-19
Following The Prime Ministers announcement regarding the further easing of lockdown, measures will need to be in place to start planning for staff to return to work.The initial response to the pandemic was to enforce lockdown and for employees to work from home where possible. Meaning a large portion of the UK working from home. Steps had to be put in place to accommodate the changes to many businesses and ensure staff received support during lockdown to protect their wellbeing.Many HR … [Read more...]
Returning NHS workers targeted by tax avoidance promoters
Individuals who are returning to the National Health Service (NHS) to help to respond to the outbreak of COVID-19 have been targeted by immoral promoters of tax avoidance schemes. HMRC is advising affected individuals to be wary of signing up to these schemes.The schemes on offer all have common features, but they may be described in different ways. One consistent element will be that the scheme attempts to disguise the true level of earnings, which should be subject to Income Tax and … [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...]
Why recruitment agencies are outsourcing their payroll?
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...]
Tax avoidance schemes aimed at contractors and agency workers
HMRC is aware of schemes that claim to increase your take-home pay by paying less Income Tax and National Insurance contributions. These schemes do not work and by using them you may be taking part in tax avoidance. How these schemes work Most umbrella arrangements operate within the tax rules, and correctly deduct tax and National Insurance contributions from all your earnings using PAYE.Some promoters of tax avoidance schemes set up umbrella companies and use them to convert income into … [Read more...]
Why recruitment agencies are outsourcing their payroll
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...]