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Edge EBT thread

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    Edge EBT thread

    Please check this first post regularly for updates

    Hello, this is the thread for those that were employed by Edge and have received enquiries or demands from HMRC.

    I would encourage you to post here and offer support to each other, however keep in mind that HMRC do read these threads - so anything written, even as a joke, could end up as evidence in a Tax Tribunal.

    From a number of posts on this thread it would seem that Edge have shut up shop and are no longer 'trading in the UK'. I believe Michelle Booth now works for Redstone but is taking calls in an unofficial capacity on 0845 591 9552

    Advantage Accounts are no longer involved with Edge or the scheme in any way.

    There are going to be some stressful times ahead and discussing things with those in a similar position will help a lot.

    Remember that EBTs have had strong legal validation in the past and these moves by HMRC come after a number of months of high publicity tax avoidance news. i.e. It is a knee-jerk reaction.

    So keep a level head, talk to any professional advisors you take on and help each other out where you can.

    For those of you who are looking at appealing (Appeal letter here) and are wanting to minimise penalties and interest should we lose, have a look at CTDs HM Revenue & Customs: The Certificate of Tax Deposit scheme

    GS


    Updates:

    Some important advice received from Edge:

    If you do not appeal, the value of the demand becomes legally enforceable and HMRC will seek payment.
    If you elect to pay the demand, it is important to note that this will signal your acceptance of HMRC’s position, that the loan payments were indeed income and HMRC will then have the ability to apply the same rationale to the consecutive tax years that followed i.e. 09/10 and 10/11


    Important Update from another thread: HMRC trawling social media to find evidence of tax fraud - 25 Feb 2013 - Computing News


    27/5/2013 Update on Rangers case:

    There has been a recent update in the Murray Holdings (Rangers FC) vs. HMRC Upper Tribunal tax appeal.
    Last week, a date was published indicating that the Upper Tribunal appeal was set to be heard on the 19th of July 2013.
    ...
    The hearing on the 19th of July is a provisional hearing purely for ‘Directions’ and is not ‘Substantive’ which means it is purely to agree the direction of the appeal and not to hear the actual appeal.
    ...
    The general consensus amongst tax advisors remains the same, which is, the Upper Tribunal tax appeal is still some way off and we are unlikely to see any further progress on this matter for quite some time.


    10/12/2013 Group Representation Update

    Please see Norla/Edge Former Employee EBT Self Help Group



    There are a lot of posts around group representation. From what I can see there are 2 current options - please PM me if you know otherwise. As I suspect everyone's situation is unique I would recommend contacting both and find out what they are offering as far as services, strategies and costs.

    It would be ideal if we could come together as one group, but I think that is a conversation for a later date.
    1. TheDandy is a former Edge employee and has organised a Edge specific group. He has enlisted the help of tax specialists and I believe is still taking PM's from new posters. Please refer to this post here.
    2. Saleos is a tax consultant and is looking to represent an Edge specific group. He has done some ground work and is collecting email addresses so that he can update all interested parties at once. He has an introduction post here.



    If you have any desire to pursue group representation please

    Request PM (private message) access if you don't already have it. You can post a request or contact the admins via this page: http://forums.contractoruk.com/sendmessage.php

    PM TheDandy here: http://forums.contractoruk.com/priva...=newpm&u=39502
    PM Saleos here: http://forums.contractoruk.com/priva...=newpm&u=41765

    then make a decision if you have interest in one or both of the groups and if you are willing to foot the likely costs and advise the organiser(s) accordingly

    Simply posting a desire to join a group will not achieve anything.
    Last edited by GoneSouth; 3 February 2014, 12:35. Reason: Updates

    #2
    Edge or Redstone?

    Hi, thanks for starting this Thread. I worked through Edge for a couple of years. Got the letter today. So will be looking to talk to them tomorrow. However, on other threads I've seen mention that Edge does not exist anymore and they are now a company called Redstone. I can't validate this, or find a website for the latter. The only link I have is FAQ’s which has some contact information on it. However, the 0845 number is dead, no dial tone.

    So I'd be interested to see how much support we get from them.

    Comment


      #3
      Originally posted by bedworthlad1972 View Post
      Hi, thanks for starting this Thread. I worked through Edge for a couple of years. Got the letter today. So will be looking to talk to them tomorrow. However, on other threads I've seen mention that Edge does not exist anymore and they are now a company called Redstone. I can't validate this, or find a website for the latter. The only link I have is FAQ’s which has some contact information on it. However, the 0845 number is dead, no dial tone.

      So I'd be interested to see how much support we get from them.
      On the generic EBT thread A Man of Constant Sorrow posted

      Originally posted by a Man of Constant Sorrow View Post
      Edge Consulting details:

      FAQ’s

      Myself and colleague (+others) have been in contact with them, and they have provided a letter (had Cobham Murphy review in addittion, and letter fine) - they are in addittion offering full support and are taking advice from a big 6 firm - if you look further back in the thread you will see both the letter, and details.

      HMRC have confirmed receipt of this letter with rather a vacant response
      Hopefully he will join us here and we can compare notes.

      When I contacted them about the 2010/11 investigation letter via [email protected] they responded very quickly and positively.

      I have emailed them this morning about the 2008/09 demand that looks like it is on it's way (no letter yet, but an amount on my self portal). I will let you know how they respond. As I get a clearer picture about their approach I will update the original post.

      I wouldn't be too worried about the Redstone thing. I received a 'please come back' type email a while back and the new company seemed to be setup to comply with the new (Dec 2010?) regulations. Probably not a bad thing if the pre GAAR EBT and the post schemes are seperate entities.

      Early days, but what I'm seeing is that we have promising support so far.
      Last edited by GoneSouth; 26 February 2013, 05:15.

      Comment


        #4
        Originally posted by GoneSouth View Post
        On the generic EBT thread A Man of Constant Sorrow posted



        Hopefully he will join us here and we can compare notes.

        When I contacted them about the 2010/11 investigation letter via [email protected] they responded very quickly and positively.

        I have emailed them this morning about the 2008/09 demand that looks like it is on it's way (no letter yet, but an amount on my self portal). I will let you know how they respond. As I get a clearer picture about their approach I will update the original post.

        I wouldn't be too worried about the Redstone thing. I received a 'please come back' type email a while back and the new company seemed to be setup to comply with the new (Dec 2010?) regulations. Probably not a bad thing if the pre GAAR EBT and the post schemes are seperate entities.

        Early days, but what I'm seeing is that we have promising support so far.
        That's great, thanks. I've also emailed Edge at the same address. There are a number of postings that state Edge's advice re: appeal letter (I'm sure you've seen them). So once I get confirmation to use it, I'll send a letter. I think I'm going to send 2 to 3 instances of the same letter registered post, just to make doubly / triply sure it gets there. I'll also be talking to Advantage Accounts today, who I currently work through and who was also the nominated Accountant with regards to our time at Edge. I'm not sure if they can help much, but they may have some more advice as to how to deal with the HMRC. I will post any findings. Thanks.

        Comment


          #5
          Originally posted by bedworthlad1972 View Post
          That's great, thanks. I've also emailed Edge at the same address. There are a number of postings that state Edge's advice re: appeal letter (I'm sure you've seen them). So once I get confirmation to use it, I'll send a letter. I think I'm going to send 2 to 3 instances of the same letter registered post, just to make doubly / triply sure it gets there. I'll also be talking to Advantage Accounts today, who I currently work through and who was also the nominated Accountant with regards to our time at Edge. I'm not sure if they can help much, but they may have some more advice as to how to deal with the HMRC. I will post any findings. Thanks.
          Edge are indeed RedStone now, something which worried me initially, but I phoned them yesterday and they have set up a help team (well help person to be honest but its better than nothing). Phone the RedStone number 0845 591 9552 and ask for Michelle Booth.

          Could all Edge people please PM me as well?

          Comment


            #6
            HMRC

            I have been dealing with HMRC investigations for contractors that were employed by Edge going back to 2004/05. These enquiries commenced as far back as January 2009.

            There was a further spate of new enquiries for 2010/11 in November last year but all years of employment are likely to be reviewed by HMRC.

            The latest development of 2008/09 assessments (which may not be valid in law) are a sweeping up operation for Edge and many other schemes.

            I am dealing with more than 20 cases on Edge and another 70 on other schemes. Many have been ongoing for some years.

            Although not widely known there was an EBT Settlement Opportunity and then an update and this should be checked out on the HMRC website. There is also a list of FAQ's and the parts relating to 'employees' are relevant.

            Further, a read of HMRC's Litigation and Settlement Strategy will give an indication of why these current actions are being taken.

            HMRC do tend to take a predictable path and it remains to be seen what their next move will be after these latest assessments. I suspect it will be a Tax Return Compliance Check notice for each individual concerned.

            Comment


              #7
              I'm Thru Edge as well

              Hi All ... think i may have been one of the early recipients of the 2008/2009 letter, had mine end of Jan. I've spoken to Michelle Booth at Edge Consulting who took me through the steps I needed to do i.e send the appeal letter. Mine went over a week ago and from what someone mentioned in the other Thread they got a response from the HMRC acknowledging there appeal so I'm now waiting for mine. Michelle also mentioned that they're in talks with KPMG over the issue so sounds like at this current moment they are prepared to fight/support us though that position could change!!!

              I've seen alot of confusion on the other thread over whether Edge still exist and I've seen reference to "Edge Consulting" and "Edge Resourcing" I'm assuming there the same thing but to contact Edge the email is "[email protected]" I had a response from Michelle by email and then a subsequent phone call within 24hrs so I'm happy with the reaction so far.

              Anyone that contacts Michelle from now might want to mention this forum to her as anything that she can mention in the public domain they might consider listing here.

              So a quick hi to you all as I'm sure we'll be discussing this issue for months, years to come.

              let the games begin.......................................

              Comment


                #8
                Appeal letter

                It was impossible to gauge how much would be written about a simple appeal application.

                I have provided over 30 templates to contractors and it would have been less time consuming just to post the suggested reply to HMRC on the forum. However, there was an issue about non-disclosure and professional liability.

                I have taken legal advice on this matter and now produce my SUGGESTED reply to HMRC on the understanding that it may not suit all cases and that I accept no financial or professional responsibility for reliance placed on it.

                I WILL NOT ENTER INTO ANY DISCUSSION ABOUT THE SUGGESTED LETTER ON THE FORUM.

                Assessments are still being issued by HMRC and the latest one I have seen was dated 20 February.

                Here is the text of the reply:

                YOUR ADDRESS

                Date:
                Your ref:
                NI number:

                HM Revenue & Customs
                Local Compliance
                Personal & CGT Compliance
                Chailey House
                Cardington Road
                Bedford MK42 0YS

                For the attention of Miss L J Stopp

                Dear Madam,

                YOUR NAME

                I acknowledge receipt of your letter dated xx February 2013, a notice of assessment and tax calculation for 2008/09.

                Please take this letter as my formal notice of appeal against the assessment.

                I apply to postpone the further tax charged of £xxxxx on the ground that no additional taxable income has been agreed.

                Kindly acknowledge receipt.

                Yours faithfully,



                ………………………………….
                (Signature)
                --------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                Last edited by Michael J Perry FCA; 25 March 2013, 00:50. Reason: typo correct

                Comment


                  #9
                  In case you missed it at the top

                  HMRC trawling social media to find evidence of tax fraud - 25 Feb 2013 - Computing News

                  Comment


                    #10
                    Another Edge Employee

                    Just to add my name to the list - got my letter last night.

                    Comment

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