The Chancellor of the Exchequer, Philip Hammond presented his Spring Statement to Parliament on Tuesday 13 March 2018. Unfortunately, the contractor sector must wait a while longer for news on any potential IR35 changes. There is a lot of frustration within the industry as many publications are being waited upon. What are we still…
In the current labour market, with the introduction of new IR35 legislation, recruitment agencies have discovered many individuals who previously worked through PSCs, now opting to use umbrella services. However, according to Tania Bowers from the General Counsel at APSCo, “umbrella companies are largely unregulated” which is cause for concern as numerous recruiters are still…
Former BBC presenter, Christa Ackroyd has lost her legal battle against HMRC. This is the first IR35 court case that the HMRC has won in seven years. Ackroyd and is now facing a fine of £419,151 in outstanding income tax and national insurance contributions covering tax years: 2006/07 to 2012/13. This ruling made by the…
In response to Matthew Taylor’s Independent Review of Employment Practices in the Modern Economy in 2017, the government have revealed this week their new Good Work Plan that recommends new rights for the UK’s flexible workforce. Alongside further consultations on the future of the UK workforce, the government will also be looking to tighten penalties against…
Since the public sector reform in April 2017, we are still asked frequently by public sector contractors if they should continue using their own limited company or switch to an umbrella. The answer very much depends on each individual’s circumstances thus we would strongly encourage contractors to speak to us for tailored advice. Nonetheless, we…
The outlook of the job market in 2018 continues to look promising for contractors. Vacancies, billings and pay rates remain encouraging, persistently growing throughout December and into the New Year. According to recruitment agencies surveyed for the REC/IHS Markit Report on Jobs, the introduction of new projects and a greater demand for short-term workers contributed…
More often than not, you’ll find discussions and reasons as to why you should move from an umbrella to a limited company. But we thought we’d discuss the reverse, because sometimes, the arrangements of working through a limited company, no longer make sense for the position you are in. So why might you consider switching…
It has been a turbulent year for contractors, especially those who work within the public sector and have been hit by the introduction of the “off-payroll” reforms in April. Now a storm of risky umbrella firms are luring temporary workers with promises of higher take-home retentions in a bid to sidestep the tax crackdown that’s…
Since the public sector reform in April 2017, we are still asked frequently by public sector contractors if they should continue using their own limited company or switch to an umbrella. The answer very much depends on each individual’s circumstances thus we would strongly encourage contractors to speak to us for tailored advice. Nonetheless, we…
Have you heard a variety of claims about IR35 that seem to make sense but you’re just not sure if they’re true? We’ve rounded up a few common IR35 myths we’ve heard and want to debunk them for you. The legislation is complex as it is without these IR35 myths and assumptions being added to…
It’s been just over a year since the Criminal Finance Act (CFA) was introduced 30th September 2017, which saw companies become criminally liable for any facilitation of tax evasion and tax avoidance schemes by any persons representing the company, and a recent Tax Journal has proposed that HMRC is ‘chomping at the bit to investigate.’ After…
We’ve all heard the old adage ‘if it’s too good to be true, then it probably is.’ A minority of contractors are still getting caught up in schemes that are offering 85-95% take home pay. These may not be all that they seem. HMRC is continuing to focus their attention on reducing the number of…