BIG GROUP

[regron]

Thanks for that.

The key here is NUMBERS.

Exactly, it's ok everyone expressing interest, but without signing up, it's worthless. I know there has been a bit of skepticism lately and people not sure whether to sign up or not. I also appreciate many of us are in varying positions with regards to schemes/APN's/JR's etc...

For what is may or many not be worth, personally I have received 2 APN's to date from 2 different schemes I was part of. Fortunately both providers are still around and I am party to both their JR's. However, I have still signed up to the BG as the way I see it, it is another angle to fight the draconian outfit that is HMRC for let's face it, a fraction of what we may (I repeat may) have to cough up in the long run.

Who knows what BG might achieve but for me personally, I want to ensure I have done everything in my power to try and fight this. I should also add that I too was involved in a non-DOTAS declared scheme and I can see BG(2) developing into this area but only if the original BG campaign gets off the ground.

People are wondering what they will get for their money. Well in my opinion, despite the access to professional advice which so far has been offered for free in and around these forums, the fact there will be a campaign to get our voices heard through various media means is a huge bonus, something none of us could do on our own. Very recently, the up and coming, popular, pro punish all tax avoiders Jolyon Maugham (Tax Specialist) has stated the following on his blog:

"The contracting sector may be an exception to the general rule that the overwhelming majority of tax avoiders are (by normal standards) very wealthy."

A comment coming as part of responses the BG put to his recent statement at the CIOT as a guest speaker. Said blog clearly shows from other respondents that they don't understand the severity of what HMRC are doing with this APN legislation and they strongly believe it is only the high earning wealthy who are in the firing line and therefore deserve everything they get. Will BG change their minds ? Probably not, but it cannot hurt to get our voices heard far and wide.

HMRC would prefer we all live in our little bubbles and don't join forces and as contractors we are all to use to looking after our own. However this is the time to come together, look at what NTRT have achieved. Yes, the model and fight is very different, but the tactics, the togetherness, the willing to fight and not lie down is very much the same approach I feel the BG should be taking.

Will the BG achieve its goal ? Who knows, only time will tell but what we do know is, numbers are key to it's success and none of this is going to go away !

[neo222]

Exactly, it's ok everyone expressing interest, but without signing up, it's worthless. I know there has been a bit of skepticism lately and people not sure whether to sign up or not. I also appreciate many of us are in varying positions with regards to schemes/APN's/JR's etc...

For what is may or many not be worth, personally I have received 2 APN's to date from 2 different schemes I was part of. Fortunately both providers are still around and I am party to both their JR's. However, I have still signed up to the BG as the way I see it, it is another angle to fight the draconian outfit that is HMRC for let's face it, a fraction of what we may (I repeat may) have to cough up in the long run.

Who knows what BG might achieve but for me personally, I want to ensure I have done everything in my power to try and fight this. I should also add that I too was involved in a non-DOTAS declared scheme and I can see BG(2) developing into this area but only if the original BG campaign gets off the ground.

People are wondering what they will get for their money. Well in my opinion, despite the access to professional advice which so far has been offered for free in and around these forums, the fact there will be a campaign to get our voices heard through various media means is a huge bonus, something none of us could do on our own. Very recently, the up and coming, popular, pro punish all tax avoiders Jolyon Maugham (Tax Specialist) has stated the following on his blog:

"The contracting sector may be an exception to the general rule that the overwhelming majority of tax avoiders are (by normal standards) very wealthy."

A comment coming as part of responses the BG put to his recent statement at the CIOT as a guest speaker. Said blog clearly shows from other respondents that they don't understand the severity of what HMRC are doing with this APN legislation and they strongly believe it is only the high earning wealthy who are in the firing line and therefore deserve everything they get. Will BG change their minds ? Probably not, but it cannot hurt to get our voices heard far and wide.

HMRC would prefer we all live in our little bubbles and don't join forces and as contractors we are all to use to looking after our own. However this is the time to come together, look at what NTRT have achieved. Yes, the model and fight is very different, but the tactics, the togetherness, the willing to fight and not lie down is very much the same approach I feel the BG should be taking.

Will the BG achieve its goal ? Who knows, only time will tell but what we do know is, numbers are key to it's success and none of this is going to go away !

Here, here. I have just joined and paid the very reasonable sum of £60.

If you want to join, just visit WTT Consulting | Tax Enquiry Specialists | London and follow the links.

Maybe some people can put the joining instructions on their signature if allowed. I struggled to find where to join without going back through the posts.... just a thought...

Neo

[Workinghard]

Paid! And committed for the foreseeable even though Big Group may not be able to help me specifically.

[famousfive]

I'll be signing up today as per my pledge

Edit - have signed up .

This can wait till i'm signed up but what is the consensus on the CLSO and BG? Is it recommended we enter loan amounts or just ignore?

[Reddevil]

All paid up! First APN on its way so need help to fight this.

[regron]

I'll be signing up today as per my pledge

Edit - have signed up .

This can wait till i'm signed up but what is the consensus on the CLSO and BG? Is it recommended we enter loan amounts or just ignore?

There are plenty of posts around the forum on this particular debate. However, from what I have read so far and personally I have to agree, the CLSO is far from an attractive proposal, unless your exposure if very minimal. Plenty of uncertainty around what and how much more money they will bleed from you even if you settle on the CLSO agreement !
The CLSO is something I think only you can determine whether or not it helps you in your individual circumstances.
More information/discussion here if you haven't already seen it.

http://forums.contractoruk.com/hmrc-...portunity.html

[DotasScandal]

Exactly, it's ok everyone expressing interest, but without signing up, it's worthless. I know there has been a bit of skepticism lately and people not sure whether to sign up or not. I also appreciate many of us are in varying positions with regards to schemes/APN's/JR's etc...

For what is may or many not be worth, personally I have received 2 APN's to date from 2 different schemes I was part of. Fortunately both providers are still around and I am party to both their JR's. However, I have still signed up to the BG as the way I see it, it is another angle to fight the draconian outfit that is HMRC for let's face it, a fraction of what we may (I repeat may) have to cough up in the long run.

Who knows what BG might achieve but for me personally, I want to ensure I have done everything in my power to try and fight this. I should also add that I too was involved in a non-DOTAS declared scheme and I can see BG(2) developing into this area but only if the original BG campaign gets off the ground.

People are wondering what they will get for their money. Well in my opinion, despite the access to professional advice which so far has been offered for free in and around these forums, the fact there will be a campaign to get our voices heard through various media means is a huge bonus, something none of us could do on our own. Very recently, the up and coming, popular, pro punish all tax avoiders Jolyon Maugham (Tax Specialist) has stated the following on his blog:

"The contracting sector may be an exception to the general rule that the overwhelming majority of tax avoiders are (by normal standards) very wealthy."

A comment coming as part of responses the BG put to his recent statement at the CIOT as a guest speaker. Said blog clearly shows from other respondents that they don't understand the severity of what HMRC are doing with this APN legislation and they strongly believe it is only the high earning wealthy who are in the firing line and therefore deserve everything they get. Will BG change their minds ? Probably not, but it cannot hurt to get our voices heard far and wide.

HMRC would prefer we all live in our little bubbles and don't join forces and as contractors we are all to use to looking after our own. However this is the time to come together, look at what NTRT have achieved. Yes, the model and fight is very different, but the tactics, the togetherness, the willing to fight and not lie down is very much the same approach I feel the BG should be taking.

Will the BG achieve its goal ? Who knows, only time will tell but what we do know is, numbers are key to it's success and none of this is going to go away !

Couldn't have put it better, Regron.

Indeed, NTRT is to be looked up to... and please realize one thing, everyone: we have a tremendous advantage as we have a MUCH, MUCH BIGGER pool of potential recruits. So, it's quite literally just a matter of getting off our butts, joining, and getting other contractors to join (not a natural tendency for contractors to collaborate, I know...but if we can't do it when under attack, then when?)
£££££ is Power. A thousands-strong group will be a very powerful fighting machine.

PS: Putting my money where my mouth is and joining today

[webberg]

Thanks for all the above.

Been quiet today as have been briefing the press and we will be seeing articles in the next couple of weeks.

Will get back to you on the comments soon, but the secret here is

NUMBERS

Please encourage all to join.

[TheHat]

Thanks for that.

The key here is NUMBERS.

To date we've had a lot of hits but few signings. Early days though and we'll be running a sweep later, perhaps at the weekend.

Webberg, I'm one of the sceptics....for the moment. Most of my scepticism comes from my experiences during this saga and my belief that I haven't received value for (significant) money from tax specialists. Obviously, I will not tar the entire industry with the same brush and I have to take some of the blame for not doing the necessary due diligence.

Furthermore, there just seems too many groups, too many causes to support / fund. It's a case of having to be selective, both from a financial and logistical perspective, However, I remain open minded and only a fool wouldn't realise that numbers will make a huge difference if coordinated well. Ultimately I'm more likely to join than not join.

Anyway, to the point in question here. Have you, or anyone considered approaching IPSE (a.k.a. PCG)? Their reach is enormous in the contractor world. They will probably not lend their name to the cause, but they may be open to being helpful on contractor awareness. It's surely not in IPSE's interest to see contractors suffering.

[DaveL]

Webberg, I'm one of the sceptics....for the moment. Most of my scepticism comes from my experiences during this saga and my belief that I haven't received value for (significant) money from tax specialists. Obviously, I will not tar the entire industry with the same brush and I have to take some of the blame for not doing the necessary due diligence.

Furthermore, there just seems too many groups, too many causes to support / fund. It's a case of having to be selective, both from a financial and logistical perspective, However, I remain open minded and only a fool wouldn't realise that numbers will make a huge difference if coordinated well. Ultimately I'm more likely to join than not join.

Anyway, to the point in question here. Have you, or anyone considered approaching IPSE (a.k.a. PCG)? Their reach is enormous in the contractor world. They will probably not lend their name to the cause, but they may be open to being helpful on contractor awareness. It's surely not in IPSE's interest to see contractors suffering.

I have spoken to IPSE. Abbey Tax is the tax advisor. He persuaded me to settle given the trouble and the chance of winning this. I was told that we will have to go to tribunal eventually after APN is issued. I'm still in a dilemma. Does anyone know if there is any criminal record implication if we lose in tribunal.