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...]
‘Brave’ contractor MDCM Ltd wins IR35 appeal
A brave limited company contractor has won his IR35 appeal, overcoming three status factors that went against him and giving HMRC a red-face in the process.Mark Daniels, who fought HMRC alone in an era of it using barristers, even got helped to his win by HMRC, despite Financial Risk, Substitution and MOO going in its favour.But on Control, HMRC was forced to withdraw its submission against Daniels, director of MDCM Ltd, during the hearing and once tax officials had heard oral evidence … [Read more...]
IR35 Forum suggests it’s time to prepare for private sector reform
Signs still point towards an announcement in this year's Autumn Budget, with the new rules perhaps coming into force in April 2019The much-debated future of IR35 in the private sector reached new levels of uncertainty recently, with the minutes from the government's IR35 Forum yet again hinting that reform is on the cards.The IR35 Forum is a group of external stakeholders, including taxpayer representatives and professional advisers, who meet quarterly with HMRC. It was established … [Read more...]
No ‘IR35′ in Spring Statement splits contractors’ advisers
The contractor sector must wait a little longer to learn the fate of IR35 in the private sector, as today’s Spring Statement made no mention of it.“Predictably, our sector has been left in the dark over potential IR35 changes,” says Seb Maley, chief executive of IR35 advisory Qdos Contractor.Referring to a consultation on IR35 -- promised at 2017’s Autumn Budget, Mr Maley added: “The government must realise that the sooner they offer clarity over the situation, the better.”Asked … [Read more...]
UK banks to check 70m bank accounts in search for illegal immigrants
Banks and building societies are to carry out immigration checks on 70m current accounts from January in the biggest extension of Theresa May’s plans to create a “hostile environment” for illegal immigrants in Britain, the Guardian has learned.The Home Office expects to identify 6,000 visa over-stayers, failed asylum seekers and foreign national offenders facing deportation in the first year of the checks, which are to be carried out quarterly.The accounts of those identified will be … [Read more...]
Moving back to a trusted umbrella service from an expensive PSC provider!
Following changes for off payroll working in the Public Sector, many contractors may have found themselves assessed as working inside IR35. Many end clients do not want the hassle of deciding each individual case and so have placed a blanket ban on all contractors. Many of these contractors cease operating through their own limited company, and opt instead for umbrella employment as their agency and end client have suggested. For a contractor working inside IR35 this is usually the better … [Read more...]
We are giving away iPads
It really couldn't be any easier.1 x iPad will be won by a Consultant - If you are a consultant working with us, you will be placed in the draw for every contractor you send to us. (There are no restrictions on how many times you can be entered)1 x iPad will be won by a Contractor - All new contractors registering with us before the end of June 2017, will also be placed in the draw to win. (You will need to be fully registered and in an assignment to qualify)The draw will … [Read more...]
HMRC puts its own IT contractors inside IR35
The IR35 digital tool was delayed because the very IT contractors who built it quit the tax authority amid fears it would place them inside tomorrow's new legislation.In fact, the 18 limited company IT contractors who worked on the tool – the ESS – left HMRC on Friday before it was publicly unveiled, fearing for their own IR35 status.“This is why the launch date for the tool was delayed and also why HMRC have struggled to get it working properly,” said a PSC whose colleagues were on the … [Read more...]