New rules hit contractors in the public sector

From April 2017, ย new rules hit contractors in the public sector becauseย thoseย working through their own company will no longer be responsible for deciding whether the intermediaries legislation applies regarding paying the relevant tax and NIC.

According to IN Accountancy, a firm of chartered accountants that support contractor accountants in Stockport, ย this responsibility will instead pass to the public sector employer, agency or third party that pays the workerโ€™s intermediary. The employer, agency or third party will have to decide if the rules apply to a contract and if so, account for and pay the liabilities through the Real Time Information (RTI) system and deduct the relevant tax and NIC.

HMRC has announced they will will provide help for public sector employers and agencies with their new responsibilities. They plan to introduce clear, objective tests for employers to use to decide at the point of hire whether or not they need to consider the new rules and then identify those engagements that are caught by the rules.

For cases that are less clear cut, HMRC have announced that they will develop a simple digital tool. This will be designed to provide employers engaging an incorporated worker with a โ€˜real-timeโ€™ HMRC view on whether or not the intermediaries rules need to be applied.

Chris Bryce, Chief Executive of the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self Employed (IPSE), commented:

โ€˜The Chancellor announced a number of measures today which are likely to impact independent professionals and the self-employed. His move to extend rules for off-payroll working in the public sector will create confusion and disruption. The engaging department or agency will be made responsible for any tax liability. This will result in genuine businesses having to jump through numerous hoops and will see the cost of engaging contractors increase. It will endanger the delivery of vital public services and important projects like HS2.โ€™

Internet link:ย HMRC Off payroll working

Let’s start a conversationย 

    Subscribe me for updates and news from In Accountancy

    Related articles

    Find out how we can help?

    Lectus scelerisque a donec tincidunt litora per eleifend eget ut sagittis conubia pharetra scelerisque dui ultricies duis parturient auctor adipiscing.

    ย 

    Let’s start a conversationย 

      Subscribe me for updates and news from In Accountancy

      In Accountancy Logo

      IN-ACCOUNTANCY

      Search
      IN-Accountancy
      Privacy Overview

      This website uses cookies so that we can provide you with the best user experience possible. Cookie information is stored in your browser and performs functions such as recognising you when you return to our website and helping our team to understand which sections of the website you find most interesting and useful.