When you have a minute...

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

would you mind giving your opinion on HMRC's latest plans for our little world Contractors, speak up about tax relief ban on expenses :: Contractor UK

[SimonMac]

So basically (to me) its saying if you are caught for IR35, it means you are also excluded from claiming expenses? It kinda makes sense (given the current rules, which state you are a disguised employee).

Would fighting this change deflect away from the bigger problem that is IR35?

[Gumbo Robot]

they will raise £635million over four years.

Isn't that the kind of figure that a Guardian journalist would call a mere drop in the ocean if the boot were on the other foot?

Yes, I will fill in the form and tell them that this is another nail in the coffin as far as I'm concerned.

Because of where I live, most of my roles require me staying away from home Monday to Friday and if I'm suddenly going to have to fork out for travel, subsistence and accommodation out of my own pocket then I guess it'll be the tipping point that sees me packing it all in and going to do something else.

Sure I won't be the only one and then they'll be wondering what's happened to the flexible workforce that has no doubt been crucial to businesses up and down the country.

[eek]

So basically (to me) its saying if you are caught for IR35, it means you are also excluded from claiming expenses? It kinda makes sense (given the current rules, which state you are a disguised employee).

Would fighting this change deflect away from the bigger problem that is IR35?

It could almost be their plan. Remember my usual tactic on here - throw so many facts in that people complain about intentional insult b and implicitly accept a, c and d....

[SimonMac]

Because of where I live, most of my roles require me staying away from home Monday to Friday and if I'm suddenly going to have to fork out for travel, subsistence and accommodation out of my own pocket then I guess it'll be the tipping point that sees me packing it all in and going to do something else.

Snap! It's almost like its gonna be the only people who can contract are those living in London, or the bobs brought in by big consultancies which will price everyone else out of the market if they have to add their T&S onto the end client

[MicrosoftBob]

So basically (to me) its saying if you are caught for IR35, it means you are also excluded from claiming expenses unlike an employee? It kinda makes sense (given the current rules, which state you are a disguised employee).

Would fighting this change deflect away from the bigger problem that is IR35?

FTFY

It's all about fairness

[Gumbo Robot]

the bobs brought in by big consultancies which will prove everyone else out of the market

That's it in a nutshell I guess....

[eek]

Snap! It's almost like its gonna be the only people who can contract are those living in London, or the bobs brought in by big consultancies which will price everyone else out of the market if they have to add their T&S onto the end client

There is a solution to this. Combine with other like minded (competent) contractors who you trust and become a consultancy....

[vetran]

I thought they were after a flexible & dynamic workforce of specialists that could spark innovation.

Maybe they only mean people who can get VCs to fund an expensive office at Silicon Roundabout?

As pointed out above making contractors less mobile than employees is a bad idea.

The problem with IR35 is the uncertainty, now you will be afraid to travel anywhere

Tax does have to be baffling!

[MicrosoftBob]

It's simple how are MPs supposed to get cushy directorships with the big IT consultancies unless they help them along and try and stifle any other competition, add in a civil service that hates us through a combination of jealousy, class and political hatred and a simple dislike of anyone who may think for themselves

Is it any wonder we are where we are ?