Government crack down on tax evasion

[Ignis Fatuus]

I agree, it is what I fear most. It will end contracting as we know it, as I understand as has happened in Oz under those rules.

Why should it end contracting as we know it? Is the only reason you contract the ability to receive some of your earnings free of NICs?

[Fred Bloggs]

Why should it end contracting as we know it? Is the only reason you contract the ability to receive some of your earnings free of NICs?

Because if you're going to pay tax like an employee, you might just as well be an employee and have the benefits of being an employee. I'd have thought that much was obvious.

[Flashman]

Look on the bright side - if they take away (say) 20% of your income then the end result will be that rates will go up accordingly. Like everything, there is no free lunch.

Thus making employing 'Highly Skilled' Migrants even more attractive.

Vince Cable will be pleased.

[Saddo]

Because if you're going to pay tax like an employee, you might just as well be an employee and have the benefits of being an employee. I'd have thought that much was obvious.

You mean like being restricted to 22 days holiday a year (which you have to take or lose) and ensuring that you can't take holiday when someone else is away. And having some smartarse numbskull try and dream up an exciting set of words to write on your performance evaluation to advise why you ain't nearly as good enough as you think you are. And having the toads in HR come up with generous ideas about creature comforts. And being trapped in an employee money laundering scheme which they call a pension scheme. And having to work at least one months notice before you can land your parachute elsewhere. And having to wait to get useful training.

And not forgetting being directed to carry out any task that your employer thinks falls within your remit.

I'll take the contracting please.

[neil987]

excuse me for being a bit thick her

I believe our glorious PM "earns" 150 - 200K.

I also believe he gets free use of a house in central London and a weekend place in the country which are not wholly for work use.

How much does he pay in tax as a benefit in kind?

Also, since "it was just following the rules" was an often heard bleat last year, how will tax avoidance (especially applied in arrears) be morally acceptable by this shower?

[Saddo]

excuse me for being a bit thick her

Is that optional?

Also, since "it was just following the rules" was an often heard bleat last year, how will tax avoidance (especially applied in arrears) be morally acceptable by this shower?

You want the other lot back in?

[Papavar]

You mean like being restricted to 22 days holiday a year (which you have to take or lose) and ensuring that you can't take holiday when someone else is away. And having some smartarse numbskull try and dream up an exciting set of words to write on your performance evaluation to advise why you ain't nearly as good enough as you think you are. And having the toads in HR come up with generous ideas about creature comforts. And being trapped in an employee money laundering scheme which they call a pension scheme. And having to work at least one months notice before you can land your parachute elsewhere. And having to wait to get useful training.

And not forgetting being directed to carry out any task that your employer thinks falls within your remit.

I'll take the contracting please.

I'm with this guy. I'm working through an umbrella so basically paying a small fortune in tax but still much prefer being a contractor; I can take breaks between contracts, am not bound by ridiculous permi co. restrictions like capped payrises and doing three jobs for the price of one, and I don't have to complete endless performance management forms.