In 2018, the government committed to regulating umbrella companies following the Good Work Plan. In 2021 HM Treasury, HMRC and the Department for Business & Trade called for evidence on the policy options to regulate and tackle non-compliance in both tax and employment rights by umbrella companies.Umbrella companies play a big role in the temporary/contract supply chain providing their workers with employment rights and deducting the appropriate tax and national insurance contributions. … [Read more...]
HMRC’s Latest List of Tax Avoidance Schemes
Here is HMRC's latest list of tax avoidance schemes. Its not long since HMRC's last update so they are clearly very active in highlighting these schemes and outing the perpetrators. That's good to see, particularly if it helps stop non-compliant umbrellas and stops contractors becoming embroiled in a scheme that results in a huge future tax bill that they're personally liable for.We would like all umbrella companies to be compliant in their approach to avoidance of Tax and not look to … [Read more...]
Hot Topic – Preferred Supplier Lists
With recent headlines, there is a need for Preferred Supplier Lists (PSL's) but at what cost?A contractor could demand that they continue to be paid through an umbrella that is not on an agencies PSL and that umbrella might not be compliant. The contractor may want to continue to use them as their take home pay is 85%+. In this instance, why should an agency want to use them?There is also additional administration in setting them up, if they have not worked with them previously. Due … [Read more...]
HMRC names avoidance scheme promoters for first time
All legitimate umbrella companies have been calling for the regulation of the sector for a long time.We are pleased to announce that Tax avoidance schemes have been named for the first time by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) as users are warned they could face large tax bills.HMRC has today advised anyone involved in Absolute Outsourcing’s or Purple Pay Limited’s Equity Participation Scheme to withdraw from them as soon as possible to prevent building up a large tax bill.This is the … [Read more...]
Crown Commercial Services for Supply Teachers Framework announcement
The following is a copy of an email sent to Recruitment Agencies that are working within the Supply Teacher Framework explaining that they are to confirm that they are not using Joint Employment models to pay their Supply Teachers.Yet more proof that the government and governing bodies are clamping down on services that they deem unsuitable for workers to be paid under.“We have recently been made aware of an emerging ‘joint employment model’ whereby the employment business and an … [Read more...]
HMRC’s approach to fraud in the Covid-19’s support schemes
As many of the governments coronavirus support schemes are coming to an end, HMRC are assessing the impact of fraud within them.HMRC’s current estimate for the amount lost to fraud and error in the schemes during 2020 to 2021 is a total of £5.8 billion against a £81.2 billion spend. 8.7% in CJRS, 2.5% in SEISS phases 1-3 and 8.5% in the eat out to help out schemes.From the beginning, it was clear the scheme would be targets for fraud and that customers may make mistakes.The … [Read more...]
HMRC issue guidance on how to reduce your risk of using tax avoidance umbrella companies
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...]
HMRC update: New proposal to clamp down on promoters of tax avoidance
HMRC have published further updates on the proposal to clamp down on tax avoidance schemes.The measure is targeted at the most persistent and determined promoters and enablers of tax avoidance.The proposed legislative changes are designed to clamp down on the supply of tax avoidance arrangements and include:a new power for HMRC to seek freezing orders that would prevent promoters from dissipating or hiding their assets before paying the penalties that are charged as a result of … [Read more...]