Here at ePayMe, we have written a number of blogs on compliant umbrella firms, knowing your supply chain and tax avoidance schemes. Now, HMRC has published their own guidance on how to reduce this risk.As we’ve highlighted previously, off-payroll changes are bringing more workers under PAYE. However, some companies are finding unconventional and non-compliant ways to avoid this and pay less tax.These tax avoidance schemes operate on disguised remuneration, reporting some earning as … [Read more...]
HMRC issues letters alerting contractors to tax avoidance schemes
The new IR35 Legislation has encouraged more contractors to seek work through umbrella companies. However, the rise of disguised remuneration schemes has now prompted HMRC to act.HMRC have started issuing Tax Avoidance Warning letters directly to contractors, strongly suggesting they may be involved in a DR arrangement or scheme. However, the contractors were likely deceived into signing up as a user, believing they were signing up to a true umbrella company.Are the Revenue using this as … [Read more...]
All you need to know about supply chain compliance
5 months into the IR35 Off-Payroll Legislation, and companies are still facing the effects of these changes. It is now more important than ever to have a good understanding of who you’re working with.Due to the changes, the responsibility of assessing a contractors IR35 status is now down to the end hirer. Making an accurate assessment as part of the compliance process will help avoid any liabilities that could arise from not carrying out this check.The new legislation has meant that … [Read more...]
Starting supply from September? What you need to know
Starting a supply role can be quite daunting and complex when considering your options for having your salary processed.To take the weight off your shoulders, we have put together our top tips for finding a compliant and trustworthy payroll solution.Do not believe everything you read – some articles that have been published online regarding holiday pay and the deductions that payroll providers deduct, are not factually correct. A compliant payroll provider will have staff who specialise … [Read more...]
HMRC fails to convince Lords on legal justification for Loan Charge
In a widely anticipated follow-up session on the Loan Charge by the Lords Economic Affairs Committee, HMRC failed to convince the Committees members on the legal justification for it’s highly controversial retrospective tax that has resulted in thousands of freelancers being pushed to the brink of bankruptcy. The members also poured scorn on HMRC’s poor record of cracking down on rogue umbrella companies which are, according to the BBC, still promoting schemes.The Committee directed … [Read more...]
Umbrella Payroll Provider owner receives 11 year ban for involvement in Tax Avoidance Scheme
Magnetic Push limited operated for just 11 months before it went into liquidation revealing a multi-million pound tax avoidance scheme while failing to justify £37 million expenditure. Scott Ian Rooney (40), of Leicester, was appointed sole director of Magnetic Push Limited in February 2017. Trading from a serviced office in Liverpool, the company was formerly known as ‘The Knowledgeshares Limited’ and ‘My PSU Subcontractors Limited.’After 11 months trading as Magnetic Push … [Read more...]
Don’t get confused between the FCA and the FCSA
With compliance being, or what should be a priority for any agency or end client when it comes to reviewing their payroll providers, it would appear that many are getting confused with the accreditations that play a vital part in governing the outsourced payroll sector. The most well-known names of accreditations for outsourced payroll in the UK are the FCSA (The Freelancer & Contractor Services Association) and PP (Professional Passport). The FCSA is not the FCA. The FCA … [Read more...]
Umbrella Company or PAYE?
Understand the difference and find out which is the right option for you. Opting to work through an umbrella company is an increasingly popular payroll option in the UK for temporary workers and contractors. However, the understanding of what this actually means for workers is still largely misunderstood. This article aims to highlight in simple terms the differences between umbrella companies and agency PAYE systems; their functions and how worker payroll is processed. This article … [Read more...]
What the disguised remuneration operators wont tell you
Many contractors we have spoken to over the years have not realised just how much information HMRC holds that would make it easy for them to identify ‘dodgy’ schemes operating in the market. The issue that comes up again and again is why HMRC is not more proactive in its approach and working to close such schemes down faster. Whilst we too take steps to continuously challenge HMRC, there has been little headway. Despite this, contractors need to be alert to the fact that nowadays it is more … [Read more...]
Off-Payroll working in the Private sector – Draft Legislation
As I am sure you are all fully aware the draft legislation for Off-Payroll Working in the Private Sector has been released. This is very much in line with what we were expecting and have been advising on.Whilst it is open for comments before being added to The Finance Bill 2019, we do not anticipate any significant changes.There are some key points of note in this updated legislation when compared to the Public Sector version:It is happening in April 2020. Clients have an … [Read more...]