- Actors union Equity says its members are being unfairly targeted on tax
- Hustle star Robert Glenister lost court tribunal over 'unpaid National Insurance'
- HMRC bosses welcomed the decision saying 'rules same for everyone'
By WILLIAM COLE FOR MAILONLINE
PUBLISHED: 02:48, 21 April 2019 | UPDATED: 12:21, 22 April 2019
Actors are being unfairly targeted by the taxman for National Insurance contributions, according to a showbusiness union.
Bosses at Equity say they fear HMRC is conducting a 'co-ordinated attack' against stars of the stage and screen.
The concerns were raised after actor Robert Glenister ended up on the losing side of a recent tax tribunal fight.
Equity general secretary Christine Payne said that she was 'gravely concerned' about the targeting of members of the union.
'Instead of being celebrated for their contribution to the local culture and global reputation of the UK, these self-employed professionals are being pursued for National Insurance contributions, including paying for employers' secondary contributions,' she added.
'Whilst HMRC has accepted that this is not an issue of income tax avoidance, they nonetheless now stand ready to unleash their tax officials on our members.'
Glenister’s case centred around Big Bad Wolff Ltd. a private services company (PSC) he operated to offer 'services to clients' in 2004.
PSCs can be attractive as workers can be classed as 'off-payroll', meaning paying fewer tax contributions than those who are employees.
HMRC are now cracking down on schemes, labelling them as 'disguised remuneration'.
In 2017, a judge had ruled against Big Bad Wolff after a tribunal hearing and the company recently lost an appeal.
Two appeal judges, Mr Justice Henry Carr and Judge Jonathan Richards, dismissed Big Bad Wolff's appeal in a written ruling published following an appeal tribunal hearing in London in March.
The Hustle star, 59, says losing the appeal at a tax tribunal means he faces either having to sell his house or remortgage.
Bosses at HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) said they welcomed the Glenister decision, adding that the case was 'dictated by the facts'.
'The rules on employment status are the same for everyone,' said an HMRC spokesman.
'It is never a matter of choice.'
He added: 'It is always dictated by the facts and when the wrong tax is being paid we put things right.
SOURCE: Actors are being unfairly pursued by taxman, warns Equity after BBC star hit with GBP150,000 bill | Daily Mail Online
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