Reply to: Survey - Next Steps

[sociopath]

To say I've never met a contractor that does this isn't really a good indicator. [/QUOTE]

I agree. That's why I thought it may be a good idea to put some figures together as to how often locations change and the differences of the locations. And could the system be improved rather than removed?

[sociopath]

Figures please?

I only have met one contractor who didn't know the rules. He ended up in trouble for different reasons.

Other contractors where either told their accountants or bothered to read the first timers guides.

No figures. Just trying to think outside of the box. Not just within the members of this forum who I am sure have had the rules drilled into them by now. How often do you have to spell the rules out on this forum? What about those not part of the forum? Why do they ask the same question so often on the forum? Apologies for playing devils advocate but thought it may help with making the case being put forward stronger.

[sociopath]

Do you have any evidence to support this claim of tax evasion by a "significant number of contractors" ?

No evidence and never claimed. How many times in the forum does the t&s rule have to be spelled out. I've lost count on how many times NLUK has lost his patience explaining to folk and telling them to google it. It gets you thinking. Thought it might be a good idea to think from a Hector point of view and I would assume they think the worst. Apologies if it came out the wrong way. Thought it would be worth including in the case some figures as to how often locations change and the differences in the change of locations, multiple locations etc.

[northernladuk]

Figures please?

I only have met one contractor who didn't know the rules. He ended up in trouble for different reasons.

Other contractors where either told their accountants or bothered to read the first timers guides.

Ive known three on the same gig. Two were late twenties lads who just didn't give a monkies. Company car, TV though the company the whole 9 yards and a lady who said they can come prove it so I'll carry in until they do. She was also looking into an extension with office space so was adamant company could pay as well. See the common theme here.
Very contractor heavy client and was there awhile so got to know people well enough to admit it.

To say I've never met a contractor that does this isn't really a good indicator. I've never met a contractor well enough for them to admit their failings in their accounts properly is more like it.

[SueEllen]

Not sure if you've covered it but might be worth covering average number of changes in location. There are probably a significant number of contractors out there that claim regardless of two year rule or treat it on a contract basis rather than location basis which masks the importance of the allowance to those that frequently change locations. Just a thought.

Figures please?

I only have met one contractor who didn't know the rules. He ended up in trouble for different reasons.

Other contractors where either told their accountants or bothered to read the first timers guides.

[TheCoconutDog]

Not sure if you've covered it but might be worth covering average number of changes in location. There are probably a significant number of contractors out there that claim regardless of two year rule or treat it on a contract basis rather than location basis which masks the importance of the allowance to those that frequently change locations. Just a thought.

Do you have any evidence to support this claim of tax evasion by a "significant number of contractors" ?

[mudskipper]

The survey is clearly self-selecting as all surveys are that ask for respondents to reply and yes that will be reflected in how the figures are described..

The important bit is to compare the figures with those from the last census http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census...d-to-work.html That has your typical IT worker having a commute of less than 10km (each way) with a national average of 15km each way..

It wasn't a criticism, just an observation that a survey specifically about the T&S consultation and the effect on contractors will attract a different response than a general survey with questions on how far you travel.

[eek]

Not sure if you've covered it but might be worth covering average number of changes in location. There are probably a significant number of contractors out there that claim regardless of two year rule or treat it on a contract basis rather than location basis which masks the importance of the allowance to those that frequently change locations. Just a thought.

I didn't really survey that. I asked the number of different client journeys made and whether they are roughly in the same direction or not but not specifics....

I really don't want to get in to a situation where people said yep I'm breaking the rules. Mainly because most people don't know the rules (HMRC's T&S employers guide is 70 pages long because of the nuances)...

[sociopath]

Not sure if you've covered it but might be worth covering average number of changes in location. There are probably a significant number of contractors out there that claim regardless of two year rule or treat it on a contract basis rather than location basis which masks the importance of the allowance to those that frequently change locations. Just a thought.

[eek]

Can't find the thread where you were discussing average commute length? The point I wanted to raise was that if those figures are used, it needs to be clear that the figure is from respondents to the survey. I'm guessing that it will be slightly skewed by people with very short commutes not completing the survey because they either don't think it will be helpful to include those figures, or because they don't feel the changes will overly impact them. (I fell into the former category - will complete it now!)

The survey is clearly self-selecting as all surveys are that ask for respondents to reply and yes that will be reflected in how the figures are described..

The important bit is to compare the figures with those from the last census http://www.ons.gov.uk/ons/rel/census...d-to-work.html That has your typical IT worker having a commute of less than 10km (each way) with a national average of 15km each way..

[mudskipper]

Can't find the thread where you were discussing average commute length? The point I wanted to raise was that if those figures are used, it needs to be clear that the figure is from respondents to the survey. I'm guessing that it will be slightly skewed by people with very short commutes not completing the survey because they either don't think it will be helpful to include those figures, or because they don't feel the changes will overly impact them. (I fell into the former category - will complete it now!)

[yakitoo]

Not sure if this is the best place but;

One thing that does need to be considered is the knock on effect from any reduction in contractors using overnight stays.

The place that I regularly use is a small family B&B in a rural environment and caters for 8 people. At the moment 5 of them are regulars and contractors. Once the summer months are over the only people staying will mainly be the contractors.
If those numbers reduce then the place will not be viable during the winter months (reduced income, higher heating costs etc) and will probably have to shut. That reduces the availability of overnight rooms and those who can continue will find it harder to get accommodation.
There will be local economic effects from any reduction in contractor stays.

Just another arrow for the quiver.

[eek]

Ah OK, so weekly is commuting once a week, as opposed to for a week. The 'or longer' might have caused my confusion. Probably needs to be clear in any response what you mean.

Yep why do you think I'm doing everything in public. We will end up with a clear response which will be harder to misinterpret...

[mudskipper]

As with everything short and clear cut.

Is you current commute daily or weekly? (yes I've just noticed a missing r in your)..

Ah OK, so weekly is commuting once a week, as opposed to for a week. The 'or longer' might have caused my confusion. Probably needs to be clear in any response what you mean.

[eek]

That seems high - most of the contractors I know who 'stay away' are TWaTs - what's the definition of weekly?

As with everything short and clear cut.

Is you current commute daily or weekly? (yes I've just noticed a missing r in your)..

Oh and that 25% is probably low, Czakky said that he thinks 60% of the people he's got working up North are re-locaters...