Parasol - Anybody Used them?

[Bigbird]

Interestingly he told me that they are more than happy with them....reckons it'll kill a few of the (shadier) competitors and direct more contractors their way.

Can't see how. No matter how many dispensations they have you still won't be able to claim any expenses under the new rules that you can't claim as a direct employee now, and the white paper SPECIFICALLY outlaws claims for travel to work and subsistence except under very strict guidelines.

I suspect most contractors who are currently working for some of the dodgier outfits (I do work for a few ) because they are in fact exactly what the revenue says and disguising their employment will just bite the bullet and get taken on direct by either the agency or the contractor. Why pay a management fee when it will only reduce your take-home?

The biggest problem I can see for some of my clients tbh is that they will either be laid off or asked to take a pay cut because of the hike in employers NIC that their contractor will have to fork out for.

[John Galt]

Was chatting to one of their lads last night after footy and raised the issue of the new MSC rules...and how they would affect Parasol.

Interestingly he told me that they are more than happy with them....reckons it'll kill a few of the (shadier) competitors and direct more contractors their way.

Just had a vigourous audit by KPMG (something to do with a takeover) and have just had their dispensations approved by HMRC - making them a fairly kosher lot by the sounds of things.

No idea if they are any good mind you!!!!

As I understood it, and I admit I could be wrong here, but I thought it was the IR who issued the dispensation whatnots to all the umbrella's so it would be a bit unlikely if they weren't approved

[Billy Pilgrim]

Was chatting to one of their lads last night after footy and raised the issue of the new MSC rules...and how they would affect Parasol.

Interestingly he told me that they are more than happy with them....reckons it'll kill a few of the (shadier) competitors and direct more contractors their way.

Just had a vigourous audit by KPMG (something to do with a takeover) and have just had their dispensations approved by HMRC - making them a fairly kosher lot by the sounds of things.

No idea if they are any good mind you!!!!

[dmini]

"

yeah its funny - when you phone them and say why I have I paid tax - and they answer becuase it is illegal not to - goddam standard answers - they are wrong I am right.......

That wasn't my issue though. I had no objection to paying the CORRECT tax. However, they arbitrarily removed my NI allowances, and then tried that argument. When I spoke to the MD he did agree I was right & THEY were wrong

[jh0711]

Hey Dmini

I objected to their standard answer on any query of "we are right and you are wrong

"

yeah its funny - when you phone them and say why I have I paid tax - and they answer becuase it is illegal not to - goddam standard answers - they are wrong I am right.......

[Xtrain]

Used them 2 to 3 years ago and they were fine.

They had major issues last year and my agency at the time threw them off their PSL as a result of it. They have also had an MBO which has evidently put a load of debt on them so I would be careful.

To be honest I think all the brollies are a muchness these days and following the PBR the only way to go is ltd. Returns are better and you can claim travel to work expenses.

[dmini]

I was pushed to use them by an agency with a PSL list Jan - March last year. I had enough issues with them and their (un)helpdesk, that when I was going back to the agency again in August, I went limited!
I objected to their standard answer on any query of "we are right and you are wrong"
But then again, I could be the exception to the rule
My favoured one was ContractorUmbrella, by the way

[Maxamus]

My mate uses them. He said he hasnt had a problem with them

[malvolio]

QU is billed as an entirely ethical brolly - follows all the rules, no clever added extras, no marginal policies. If you have to use a brolly and don't know the market in detail, probably the best answer. There's a bundled membership package on the website at www.pcg.org.uk

Parasol themselves routinely get a good rep as well, may be marignally cheaper if you omit the PCG membership (which is clearly a bad thing to do... ).

[jh0711]

not bad!!!

had some issues last year but that seems to be all sorted

they also have a product with the PCG (called PCG (QU) or something) which offers inclusive PCG membership

one of the more trustworthy and complaint brollies around i reckon

[Sockpuppet]

Any Good, any horror stories?

Ha Ha....your are MF and I claim my 5 notes.

[Harrysp]

try putting your searching head on

Why that sounds almost logical

[MrsGoof]

try putting your searching head on

[Worzel Gummidge]

Any Good, any horror stories?