Reply to: Recruitment Agency threatening with IR35

[northernladyuk]

Old Bill would say was it 2m+ if no gotohell endif

Maybe. Maybe not.

[tractor]

Speak to them again and record the call. Steer the conversation to the point when they repeat the threat. Politely end the call. Report them to the police for blackmail. Explain how this could financially ruin you and you are literally sick with fear. Press hard for charges to be brought.

Convicted blackmailers always go to prison.

Old Bill would say was it 2m+ if no gotohell endif

[northernladyuk]

Speak to them again and record the call. Steer the conversation to the point when they repeat the threat. Politely end the call. Report them to the police for blackmail. Explain how this could financially ruin you and you are literally sick with fear. Press hard for charges to be brought.

Convicted blackmailers always go to prison.

[kal]

Dying to know who the agency is.......

OP - Why'd you tell them about the dividends? Not that it makes any difference but its none of their business anyway.

+1, would be good to know so one could avoid this agency in the future, sound like a right bunch of cowboys!

[psychocandy]

Dying to know who the agency is.......

OP - Why'd you tell them about the dividends? Not that it makes any difference but its none of their business anyway.

[northernladuk]

To the OP, funny thing is, you having the threat of unpaid bills, having to chase and take court action are actually all pointers to being outside IR35, you are showing that you are and are behaving like a real business with real business risks.

A nice bit of irony there for the pimp don't you think?

Good luck with it I hope you get your money!

A very good point well made sir.

[tractor]

...

To the OP, funny thing is, you having the threat of unpaid bills, having to chase and take court action are actually all pointers to being outside IR35, you are showing that you are and are behaving like a real business with real business risks.

A nice bit of irony there for the pimp don't you think?

Good luck with it I hope you get your money!

[mudskipper]

If I were you I'd invest a couple of hundred quid joining PCG+ which gives you representation if you do get investigated for IR35. Then relax and don't worry about it. HMRC know you pay yourself salary + dividends anyway, so it's not new information.

[Wanderer]

I can't add interests now because I've already filed the claim I suppose...

Most likely they will offer to settle before it comes to court so just whack them with the late payment penalty and interest as part of the settlement terms. Remember that you are legally entitled to this so make them pay it. If nothing else, it's a bit of revenge for their nonsense threats about reporting you to HMRC.

[Andy Hallett]

Recruitment Agency threatening with IR35

To the OP I am happy to help. I have sent you a PM to clarify a question, not sure if you will have the rights to PM yet?

[fexnok]

What Cojak says. Ignore them, it's a cheap shot and shows they do not really understand how we operate. Just imagine the stink if they did this and it became common knowledge. An agent that is willing to dob all their contractors in to HMRC for being exactly what the agent needs to make money, particularly when it is legal and correct. Hardly going to endear them to client nor contractor.

As I say, I would love to have that one in writing should they ever cross me again in the future

You're damn right. In fact I'm taking note so next time they call me I'd say it straight away!!


Thanks a lot northernladuk

[northernladuk]

Thanks for your support. I'll post the details later so anyone could benefit from my experience. Just wanted to know if what they're doing right now (threatening) should be taken further or just ignore them.

What Cojak says. Ignore them, it's a cheap shot and shows they do not really understand how we operate. Just imagine the stink if they did this and it became common knowledge. An agent that is willing to dob all their contractors in to HMRC for being exactly what the agent needs to make money, particularly when it is legal and correct. Hardly going to endear them to client nor contractor.

As I say, I would love to have that one in writing should they ever cross me again in the future

[fexnok]

Ah very good. Probably the first time after all the posturing we have had on here that a case has gone this far so I would very much like to know some details of what has happened and what (when it happens) the outcome is. They must feel they have a case if they haven't folded at this late date though.

See if you can trick them in to putting that in writing. I am sure it won't help their case or credibility when that one comes out.

Thanks for your support. I'll post the details later so anyone could benefit from my experience. Just wanted to know if what they're doing right now (threatening) should be taken further or just ignore them.

[northernladuk]

No problem.

Yes, they've received the court order, that's why they called me and "tried" to settle the debt by offering me 50% but then when I said no, they said well if you take us to court then we will report your company with revenue. Not that I'm afraid of being in/out of IR35 regulations, it's just that I feel they're acting unfair. The big fish always want to eat the small one...

Ah very good. Probably the first time after all the posturing we have had on here that a case has gone this far so I would very much like to know some details of what has happened and what (when it happens) the outcome is. They must feel they have a case if they haven't folded at this late date though.

See if you can trick them in to putting that in writing. I am sure it won't help their case or credibility when that one comes out.

[fexnok]

I am asking this in good faith, not taking the piss...but.. are you REALLY taking them to court or are you just threatening them with it? Have you taken all the steps possible that you normally would as part of dispute resolution or have you just waded in with threats?

Have you tried 'dunning' them, advised them of and applied late penalty charges, got a solictors letter to them and as a final act taken to court?

It sounds a little to me like an off the cuff comment from the agent in response to an empty threat of court to me. If you were serious I think they would take it a little more seriously. Nothing sillier than someone that comes straight out with a 'I will sue' you line. Couldn't make it any more obvious they don't know what they are doing IMO...

Have a word with safe collections who post on here or look at payontime.co.uk

No problem.

Yes, they've received the court order, that's why they called me and "tried" to settle the debt by offering me 50% but then when I said no, they said well if you take us to court then we will report your company with revenue. Not that I'm afraid of being in/out of IR35 regulations, it's just that I feel they're acting unfair. The big fish always want to eat the small one...