Data obtained by ContractorUK uncovered that HMRC has topped the leaderboard for IR35 blanket decision-making, since April 2017’s changes to the legislation. A blanket-decision is when contractors are assessed collectively rather than individually for their IR35 status. From the 38% of PSCs working at public bodies to have suffered a blanket decision, nearly 19% of these…
The latest Confidence Index from the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed (IPSE) and PeoplePerHour has revealed that British contracting professionals show the brightest and most confident outlook on their future since before the Brexit vote. Despite the uncertainty of today’s climate from trepidation for the outcome of Brexit and economic pressures to outstanding…
Over the past 12 months, in HMRC’s pursuit of online fraudsters, it was reported that a record number of fake websites posing as HMRC have been deactivated. With the introduction of cutting-edge technology designed for tackling cybercrime, HMRC appears to have been successful with over 20,750 malicious websites having been taken down – a 29%…
We recently published an article overviewing HMRC’s new legislation, the 2019 Loan Charge. The government claims this to be the next phase in tackling tax avoidance. However many have raised concerns about the harshness of the new bill. There are calls for the taxman to be compassionate and flexible towards those they are taxing as…
Many within the contractor industry have criticised HMRC’s CEST tool as not fit for purpose. The digital tool was designed by HMRC to help contractors determine their IR35 status but it has been scathingly criticised by the self-employment industry. ContractorUK firmly surmised it as: “wrongly seen as mandatory. Too blunt to be sector-specific. Unhelpful to…
The UK’s self-employed population has grown rapidly over the last ten years. According to the Centre for Research on Self-Employment (CRSE), almost five million people, equating to fifteen percent of the UK workforce are now self-employed. Thus, as contracting becomes increasingly important to the UK economy, it is vital that individual wellbeing is taken into…
As we are now weeks away from Christmas, and the holiday season is in full swing, we cover the most common queries about festive and annual event deductible expenses. Annual Christmas party as deductible expenses Your limited company can claim its festive or annual party as deductible expenses for corporation tax purposes. The cost…
One of the most frequently asked questions from our clients on the VAT flat rate change for a limited cost business is: “what is counted as ‘goods’ when determining if they need to use the higher rate of 16.5%?” According to HMRC guidance, ‘goods’ are movable items or materials exclusively used in your limited cost…
Former BBC presenter, Christa Ackroyd has lost her legal battle with HMRC 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 first tier tribunal (FTT) was based on the judgement that despite Ackroyd working through a PSC…
If you are affected by off-payroll reforms and are considering alternatives such as Umbrella employment, it’s helpful to understand AWR.
Across the UK, contractors and temporary staff are receiving notably higher pay rates. The REC disclosed that the steepest inflation in contractor pay rates recorded was in London. However, across the board, wages were continuing to rise, extending this trend to 62 months. Contractor pay rates accelerating at an exceptional rate REC director of…
‘Effective from 1 April 2017, The VAT flat rate scheme (FRS) for businesses with limited cost is set to increase to 16.5% from their current rate, based on defined criteria for a limited cost trader.’ What is a Limited Cost Traders? According to HMRC guidance, a limited cost trader will be defined as one whose…
Due to severe weather conditions, our offices are closing early at 4pm today to ensure our employees can get home safely. Our offices will be open on Monday as per the usual hours. We apologise for any inconvenience caused and thank you for your understanding.
Thank you for your enquiry. We’ll be in touch soon.