Taxman is not blameless for non-compliant umbrellas

[centurian]

The tax system is irrational bullwarks from end to end.

I think I've found the solution. We just need to become MP's.

Even after the expenses fiasco, they still get all travel paid for, with no BIK, yet have the gall to pass law after law that attempts to prevent ordinary folk from getting the same.

[Sysman]

My concern as well, although not a brolly user myself. Usual story though - a few wrecking it for the many. Makes you realise why we've been pushing the "only claim what you spend" line for so long though, doesn't it...

A one time theory of mine was that it was "the few" ostentatiously quaffing champagne in The City with Y2K dosh which attracted the attention leading to IR35 in the first place.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who has had a limit on overtime imposed because of the abuses of the few.

[PhilAtBFCA]

HMRC and Umbrellas

Bob Jones article is excellent, although quite long it really does set out the position regarding Umbrella Companies, and the fact that HMRC have got themselves into a bit of a bind with the current situation.

There have been quite a few articles on the HMRC brief that came out some of which are mentioned here on our blog, this was written before the CUK article, but at the time I focussed on the opportunities that really do exist now for Professional contractors and freelancers that really want to be in business on their own account .

For those people this HMRC attention to Umbrellas is a big opportunity, especially in the light of recent employment legislation cases, and the up and comming Agency Workers Legislation.

I feel the Umbrella Sector is in for some changes, although I am not going to try and rpedict what will happen. What I do know is that before IR35 and before the MSC legislation there was several mentions in HMRC briefs, and Pre Budget reports about the Govt concern over those areas, so we know that 12 to 24 months before legislation happens there is plenty of Government "hints" that they are going to do something. The current brief is the second hint I have seen, the expenses consultation that has already happened being the first.

To me, all the signs are there with Umbrella Companies that something is going to change at some point....time will tell.

Phil