Anyone who has difficulty paying their second 2019 to 2020 Self Assessment payment on account can take advantage of automatically deferring the payment until 31 January 2021, HMRC is reminding taxpayers.The second Self Assessment payment on account for 2019 to 2020 is ordinarily due at the end of July, but the government previously announced it is supporting the self-employed and others by allowing them to defer this payment.This option to defer is on top of additional support … [Read more...]
Tax credits update
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is reminding tax credits customers that they need to tell HMRC about any changes in their circumstances or income by 31 July 2020.Tax credits help working families with targeted financial support so it is important that people don’t miss out on money that they are entitled to.Renewing tax credits online is quick and easy. Customers can log onto GOV.UK to check the progress of their renewal, be reassured that it’s being processed, and know when they will hear … [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...]
Chancellor Rishi Sunak has spoken, support for self-employed is now confirmed
Chancellor Rishi Sunak set out plans for 80% wage subsidies for staff kept on by employers last week and the PM said he wants similar protection for freelancers. However, he stated there was “particular difficulties" for freelancers who are not on Pay As You Earn (PAYE) schemes, but that he wanted to achieve "parity of support" across the workforce.With 5.2 million self-employed workers in the UK, it was only a matter of time before the chancellor put a plan in place to support the self – … [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...]
How do you choose the right Umbrella company?
With the changes in IR35 reform just around the corner, more and more Limited Company PSC’s that are deemed as “inside” IR35 will be required to alter their current pay structure and look at either an employed in-house PAYE or outsourced umbrella service. Many agencies run a PSL (Preferred Supplier List) to allow workers a choice of approved/accredited providers without having to search themselves and stumble on a provider that is not necessarily compliant. It is just another level of compliancy … [Read more...]
IR35 Guidance – April 2020 changes to off-payroll working for clients
Overview Off-payroll working rules change on 6 April 2020 and are applied differently. From this date, all public authorities and medium and large sized clients will be responsible for deciding the employment status of workers. Who the rules apply to Some rules already apply to all public sector clients, but from 6 April 2020 medium and large-sized private sector clients also need to apply them. The private sector includes third sector organisations, such as some charities.The rules apply … [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...]
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...]
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...]