hmrc Articles

CEST Questions as Judge Rejects IR35 Ruling
marketing | 25 October 2018
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More questions have been raised about the reliability of HMRC’s Check Employment Status for Tax (CEST) tool, after a judge rejected one of the tool’s assessments.

A contractor managed to reclaim thousands of pounds in overpaid tax after the CEST tool’s ‘inside IR35’ ruling was challenged in an employment tribunal.

At first, the contractor known as Mr Elbourn went to the tribunal to try and claim back employer’s National Insurance contributions, which he thought had wrongfully been deducted by an employment agency.

Making Tax Digital deadline: Time is running out for contractors
marketing | 4 October 2018
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Contractors are running out of time to comply with HMRC’s new Making Tax Digital (MTD) initiative, which requires them to keep digital accounting records and use approved software to submit tax information to HMRC.

The first MTD deadline, for limited company contractors that earn over the £85,000 VAT threshold, is just a little over six months away.

From April 2019, these contractors will no longer be able to submit their VAT return manually with HMRC’s ‘direct tools’. Instead they will have to use HMRC-compliant software like FreeAgent or Xero to keep digital records and automatically submit their VAT returns. 

 

Contractors’ 2019 Loan Charge Settlement Deadline Approaches

Contractors who have participated in a disguised remuneration loan scheme have until 30 September 2018 to send settlement information to HMRC, or they risk paying an enormous bill in the 2018/19 tax year.

Disguised remuneration schemes are tax avoidance schemes in which participants receive income in the form of a ‘tax-free loan’, rather than traditional income.

HMRC counts this type of loan as income and says that tax is due on it. In 2017, the government introduced the ‘2019 loan charge’ to retrospectively collect tax money from disguised remuneration scheme losers.

HMRC Claims Fraudster’s £70,000 Poker Win
marketing | 23 August 2018
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A convicted fraudster from Preston has been ordered to pay £70,000 that he won in a Manchester poker game to the tax office.

Adam Lulat was jailed for 28 months in 2015 for his involvement in a £40 million money laundering scam and VAT fraud.

 

HMRC Payment on Account Due 31 July

Self-employed contractors have just a few days left to pay their payment on account.

The second annual tax installment is due on the 31 July and is payable by anyone who is self-employed, or anyone that has substantial income not paid by an employer or pension provider.

Most contractors will have already paid the bulk of their income tax before the first January 31 deadline. The payment on account system means that contractors pay an advance on what the taxman thinks they will owe for the current tax year.

The July 31 payment will reduce what you have to pay next year.
 

IR35, Presenter, Eamonn Holmes, HMRC
marketing | 25 October 2018
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ITV host Eamonn Holmes is locked in an IR35 legal battle with HMRC.

The ‘This Morning’ presenter told the Mail on Sunday that he is the subject of a HMRC ‘test case’ which could result in him paying £2m in unpaid taxes if he is found to be in breach of IR35 rules.

Missed the First Loan Charge Settlement Deadline? Don’t Despair
marketing | 3 October 2018
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HMRC is targeting contractors that have participated in disguised remuneration ‘loan schemes,’ and time is running out to avoid an enormous tax bill next year. 

If affected contractors fail to make a settlement with HMRC by 5 April 2019, any outstanding ‘loan’ tax payments could be tacked onto their 2018/19 tax bill.

Unfortunately, the first settlement deadline has already passed. HMRC had instructed contractors to register their interest in settling and fill out relevant documentation before 30 September.

Take Home Pay Umbrella Companies

The government has issued a warning about agencies and umbrella companies that claim to be able to help you save on tax and boost your take home pay.

Although everything may look legitimate and above board, these companies actually run tax avoidance schemes that could land you with a bigger tax bill and penalties, HMRC said.

The ‘too good to be true’ schemes work in different ways, but operators usually promise to reduce your tax liability and help you keep more of your income.

Care providers urged to consult HMRC on sleep-in shifts

HMRC is offering to help social care providers who may not have paid workers a National Minimum Wage  for sleep-in shifts.

Underpaying employers in the social care sector can avoid fines of up to £20,000 per worker if they join the Government’s social care compliance scheme (SCCS).

The move comes after the court of appeal reversed a ruling on payment for sleep-in shifts last month. 

One million couples missing out on £900 tax break

HMRC says that one million married couples can claim a £900 tax break, just in time for the summer holidays. But time is running out.

Around three million married and civil partnered couples have already claimed the Marriage Allowance, which is worth up to £238 per year.

Couples who have not claimed for the tax break yet can backdate their claim to boost their payment by up to £900 this year.

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