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Theresa Mimnagh, an associate director of recruitment law specialists, said: “There has been little mention since the rules were introduced of any investigations under the MSC (managed service companies) legislation, but we now understand that behind the scenes there is some real activity by HMRC.
"All payroll and umbrella companies say that they are compliant with HMRC rules yet some are not, and it is easy for agencies to become unwittingly involved thereby exposing themselves to risk under HMRC’s crackdown.”
The seminar which reviewed the tax legislation relating to contractors (IR35) and umbrella payroll companies (expenses allowances and MSC) as well as recent government consultations, follows a year of government rhetoric over tax avoidance. It also was delivered closely on the heels of two Radio5 Live investigations which focussed on expenses schemes and offshore arrangements, highlighting a public concern in this area.
Shawn Healy, a tax director of the international accountants BDO, said: “The days of a laid back approach to tax schemes are over for the recruitment industry. It is more important than ever for agencies to ensure that they get the right advice when looking at any arrangement that results in higher net pay for workers. There are some perfectly legal arrangements, but there are others that can leave agencies and hirers exposed to risk of an HMRC investigation, and that risk is becoming more real every day as HMRC ramps up its use of existing legislation to close the tax gap”.
The seminar co-incided with recent investigatice radio programmes which have highlighted concerns in the area of off-shore suppliers and expenses schemes. (See:Supply teachers in tax row over offshore umbrella company and BBC investigates dodgy expenses for temps - Shout99) Oct/Nov 2012).
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"The reality is that HMRC has specific powers that it may use to recover unpaid levels of tax and NICs against third parties in certain circumstances. No one in their right minds should invite a tax investigation."
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Susie Hughes © Shout99 2012
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