non-UK based company looking to contrat in the UK

[Confounded]

If nothing else even if your group of consultants were all UK based and your company was a UK one the Agents may refuse to touch you as it would look a lot like an old Managed Service Company which was outlawed about a decade ago.

Thank you, TykeMerc. I am not really familiar with "Managed Service Company" terminology, but what bout, for example, a consultancy like PWC? They are not outlawed, right? Why would one group of consultants be outlawed, while another not? What is the determining factor(s) here? Thank you

[TykeMerc]

Thank you, TykeMerc. I am not really familiar with "Managed Service Company" terminology, but what bout, for example, a consultancy like PWC? They are not outlawed, right? Why would one group of consultants be outlawed, while another not? What is the determining factor(s) here? Thank you

The determining factor with an MSC was that the staff had controlling interests/shareholdings and it was seen as a tax avoidance approach rather than a true corporation.
Now if you're trying to pitch for consultancy type business, but the clients are referring you to their preferred supplier agencies you're clearly approaching the clients in entirely the wrong way as they believe that you're not a consultancy, but just a bunch of people looking for contracts.
If you want to aim at large consultancy type markets then your sales strategy is a mile off. For that matter the CUK posters don't tend to operate directly in that market place, a lot of them would be hired by those consultancies to staff their projects.
Some of us have worked on bids and tenders, but my consultancy rates, should you require professional advice, may make your eyes water.

[Confounded]

The determining factor with an MSC was that the staff had controlling interests/shareholdings and it was seen as a tax avoidance approach rather than a true corporation.

Dear TykeMerc ,

I have to admit I am somewhat confused. Are you saying that if a group of professionals get together and establish their own company (and hence have controlling interests and shareholdings) and want to provide their services via this company, then they are considered to be crooks and are outlawed? I am sorry, but this sounds absurd. Surely, there must be something more to it rather than just an owner-run company?

[TykeMerc]

ESM3510 - Managed Service Companies (MSC): Meaning of a MSC

It's all in there and Google can provide a lot more detail and information.

[northernladuk]

Dear TykeMerc ,

I have to admit I am somewhat confused.

Eh? I thought you were Confounded??? SOCKIE!!!!! He's admitted it. Ban Confounded and his puppet master account 'somewhat confused' I say.
:rollin

[Confounded]

It's all in there and Google can provide a lot more detail and information.

Thank you for the link, TykeMerc. I have googled so much over the past few weeks (UK corporation tax law, UK personal tax law, UK international double taxation treaties, etc, etc.) that I am not sure I can take it digest much more. That is why we are looking for a UK professional international accountancy firm (hopefully not too expensive) that can advise us on all these things.

[Confounded]

Eh? I thought you were Confounded??? SOCKIE!!!!! He's admitted it. Ban Confounded and his puppet master account 'somewhat confused' I say.
:rollin

I am confused (sorry, confounded) - was that meant to be funny?

[meridian]

Dear TykeMerc ,

I have to admit I am somewhat confused. Are you saying that if a group of professionals get together and establish their own company (and hence have controlling interests and shareholdings) and want to provide their services via this company, then they are considered to be crooks and are outlawed? I am sorry, but this sounds absurd. Surely, there must be something more to it rather than just an owner-run company?

You're not listening.

Nobody is saying that what you want to do is outlawed or illegal, they are saying (and you have confirmed) that they do not want to do business with the model that you propose.

Either change your model, or accept that you cannot do business with those clients, accountants, and agencies.

With regards to your tax position, try some light reading here:
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/manuals/intmanual/Index.htm

[Confounded]

With regards to your tax position, try some light reading here:
INTM - International Manual: main contents

Thank you, meridian. We have already looked at some of the documents from that the site and we have a (very vague) idea of where we would stand. But we were hoping to find here people who have a first-hand experience in this and can share their dos and donts. As well as a recommendation for a reputable (not too expensive) accountancy firm who can handle this.

Thank you all for your input. Sorry if I have annoyed some of you. (Happy if I made some of you laugh). I am going to log-off for today and try to digest all this new info. Thanks again.

PS. Dear cojak, I would be grateful if you could leave this thread running for a while, as someone with this experience might come along and we (almost certainly) might have more question. Thank you

[meridian]

non-UK based company looking to contrat in the UK

For the structure you propose you need an accountant that is familiar with international cross-border structures and transactions.

If you don't want to Google "international tax accountant UK" and then pick up the phone and call one, then your best bet would be Ernst & Young, KPMG, PricewaterhouseCoopers, or Deloittes. They may even have offices in whichever country you're based in.