Reply to: "Huge" umbrella company problems

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

It's just general unhelpfulness: check the portal to see a breakdown of your expenses, totally ignoring the fact that what's in the portal is correct; unlike what's in my payslip. I really need to get shut of this ESO or the umbrella. I think today is decision day after yet another phone call.

On the plus side I got my rebate cheque from HMRC today, though I'm apparently still waiting to hear payroll's response to my query about that...ugh.

Just off the phone with Giant. The issue is down to being paid one month in arrears, and the expenses submitted weekly not being paid in arrears, but as received, which is also why none were paid the two weeks following the first. So my misunderstanding, which could have been handled a lot better by my ESO, by explaining things rather than giving me the rote response. Needless to say I've requested a new ESO because I'm thinking the relationship can't be saved there, but I said it wasn't personal, just that he could be more helpful - especially with someone who is new to this thing.

Hat's off to Simon@Giant for the save - sorry Lisa, but I'll be sticking with them for now, but thanks again for your help. Next time I'm umbrella shopping your outfit will be top of the list.

Glad you got it sorted

[TheFaQQer]

She will also be happy if you check in with SJD for an accountancy firm if you decide to go Ltd (Same company)

So is Nixon Williams these days after the venture capitalists took over.

[AJ1982]

Next time I'm umbrella shopping your outfit will be top of the list.

She will also be happy if you check in with SJD for an accountancy firm if you decide to go Ltd (Same company)

[seanraaron]

It's just general unhelpfulness: check the portal to see a breakdown of your expenses, totally ignoring the fact that what's in the portal is correct; unlike what's in my payslip. I really need to get shut of this ESO or the umbrella. I think today is decision day after yet another phone call.

On the plus side I got my rebate cheque from HMRC today, though I'm apparently still waiting to hear payroll's response to my query about that...ugh.

UPDATE: Just off the phone with Giant. The issue is down to being paid one month in arrears, and the expenses submitted weekly not being paid in arrears, but as received, which is also why none were paid the two weeks following the first payslip. So my misunderstanding, which could have been handled a lot better by my ESO, by explaining things rather than giving me the rote response. Needless to say I've requested a new ESO because I'm thinking the relationship can't be saved there, but I said it wasn't personal, just that he could be more helpful - especially with someone who is new to this thing.

Hat's off to Simon@Giant for the save - sorry Lisa, but I'll be sticking with them for now, but thanks again for your help. Next time I'm umbrella shopping your outfit will be top of the list.

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

This is my hope!

My hopes are fracturing...the response is that they "process the maximum expenses for each contract" - I'm not sure what that means or how that would help me since I've not made a claim for £100.73...does this make any sense? My query about the minimal tax withholdings was totally ignored.

I think I may have to make a phone call tomorrow to ask them what is involved in terminating my relationship with them...

The phrase 'maximum expenses' concerns me - an umbrella company can only allow tax relief on costs that the contractor incurs that would be accepted by HMRC as allowable expenses. I would ask for a breakdown of the £100.73; I would not be surprised to see an amount for daily subsistence.

[seanraaron]

It could just be simple human error - none of us is perfect

If that is the explanation you get then I would just ask for a correction to be made in the next pay period

This is my hope!

My hopes are fracturing...the response is that they "process the maximum expenses for each contract" - I'm not sure what that means or how that would help me since I've not made a claim for £100.73...does this make any sense? My query about the minimal tax withholdings was totally ignored.

I think I may have to make a phone call tomorrow to ask them what is involved in terminating my relationship with them...

[seanraaron]

Renounce your citizenship and you won't have to.

Thought about it many times. You're required to file for a decade following the act in case you're doing it for financial reasons. Also I travel back there with my kid on occasion to visit family and being in separate queues doesn't appeal. If the US or UK ever stopped doing the dual national thing I'd hand it in in a heartbeat.

[TheFaQQer]

That's crazy. Almost as nuts as the fact that I have to continue to file US tax returns forever despite barely having worked there long enough to qualify for a state pension and having no intention of ever returning, much less claiming any benefits or whatever paltry pension I'd be entitled to (last notice they sent I think it was a whopping $30/week at age 70).

Renounce your citizenship and you won't have to.

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

That would be a funny response since they require a scan/photo of any receipts to go with an expense claim before they'll pay it. Or at least that's what they say - again if so what happened here?

It could just be simple human error - none of us is perfect

If that is the explanation you get then I would just ask for a correction to be made in the next pay period

[seanraaron]

The explanation will probably be that they've applied 'scale rates' which can be allowed without the need for receipts. However, there does need a cost to be incurred in order for the scale rate to be payable so, allowing £5 per day for lunch is all very well if you're buying a sarnie at the local M&S but not if you're taking in a packed lunch. See here EIM05231 - Employment income: scale rate expenses: subsistence expenses: table of benchmark scale rates for more info and have a close look at the section marked 'qualifying conditions'

That would be a funny response since they require a scan/photo of any receipts to go with an expense claim before they'll pay it. Or at least that's what they say - again if so what happened here?

[LisaContractorUmbrella]

You may be right, but if I get a non-nonsense answer then I'm happy to write it off as a combination of crap customer service and unnecessary panic on my part. I don't get the sense that changing umbrella companies mid-contract is a painless operation, but I could be wrong - ? I am definitely impressed I got an MD of another umbrella company to offer more help on this matter than my own umbrella, that's for sure!

I'm curious as to how the massive initial expense claim is going to be explained away...

The explanation will probably be that they've applied 'scale rates' which can be allowed without the need for receipts. However, there does need a cost to be incurred in order for the scale rate to be payable so, allowing £5 per day for lunch is all very well if you're buying a sarnie at the local M&S but not if you're taking in a packed lunch. See here EIM05231 - Employment income: scale rate expenses: subsistence expenses: table of benchmark scale rates for more info and have a close look at the section marked 'qualifying conditions'

[MrMarkyMark]

A few years ago, just after I'd left the country, I notified them when I changed address in my new country. Some considerable time later, I received a final tax demand with interest and penalties that had been forwarded to me from the old address. When I called up to ask what was going on, I was told that "someone" had change the address back to the old one. The original demand had been sent therefore to the old address, but never forwarded as the redirect had expired. At least they waived the penalty demand... still had to pay the interest though.

I recently had a debt agent chasing me, representing HMRC.

They had the company address as my old residential address, even though they had been written to by my accountant and had the address changed on their systems.
They had, also, written to the new co address at the accountants for the whole of last year.

I still had to pay the interest, also.

[seanraaron]

A few years ago, just after I'd left the country, I notified them when I changed address in my new country. Some considerable time later, I received a final tax demand with interest and penalties that had been forwarded to me from the old address. When I called up to ask what was going on, I was told that "someone" had change the address back to the old one. The original demand had been sent therefore to the old address, but never forwarded as the redirect had expired. At least they waived the penalty demand... still had to pay the interest though.

That's crazy. Almost as nuts as the fact that I have to continue to file US tax returns forever despite barely having worked there long enough to qualify for a state pension and having no intention of ever returning, much less claiming any benefits or whatever paltry pension I'd be entitled to (last notice they sent I think it was a whopping $30/week at age 70).

[NotAllThere]

They didn't have my current address. I don't understand how that could be...

A few years ago, just after I'd left the country, I notified them when I changed address in my new country. Some considerable time later, I received a final tax demand with interest and penalties that had been forwarded to me from the old address. When I called up to ask what was going on, I was told that "someone" had change the address back to the old one. The original demand had been sent therefore to the old address, but never forwarded as the redirect had expired. At least they waived the penalty demand... still had to pay the interest though.

[seanraaron]

Sounds like a switch from a problem umbrella to a really helpful umbrella might be in order....

You may be right, but if I get a non-nonsense answer then I'm happy to write it off as a combination of crap customer service and unnecessary panic on my part. I don't get the sense that changing umbrella companies mid-contract is a painless operation, but I could be wrong - ? I am definitely impressed I got an MD of another umbrella company to offer more help on this matter than my own umbrella, that's for sure!

I'm curious as to how the massive initial expense claim is going to be explained away...