> Professional Contractors Group (PCG News)

Thu, 18 Dec 2008 12:00:07 +0100: PCG publishes new edition of Guide to IR35

Read more... (http://www.pcg.org.uk/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4230&Itemid=291) .

Wed, 19 Nov 2008 15:23:49 +0100: Pre-Budget Report analysis: Family Business Tax Dropped

This year’s PBR brought more significant announcements than many regular Budgets, so it is not surprising that it contains numerous items that will affect the tax position of the UK’s 1.4 million freelancers. The headline for freelancers is that the proposals for a Family Business Tax have been dropped for at least this year..

Mon, 20 Oct 2008 14:21:39 +0100: Freelancers welcome Cameron's call for credit crunch aid

The Professional Contractors Group, which represents the UK’s freelancers, today welcomed David Cameron’s call for a 1p cut in national insurance to help small businesses weather the financial storm. Cameron is also calling for a six-month VAT holiday for small and medium-s ized businesses..

Thu, 04 Sep 2008 08:37:01 +0100: High Court finds against Dragonfly Consultancy Ltd in IR35 case

The High Court has rejected the IR35 appeal by Jon Bessell, owner of Dragonfly Consultancy Ltd. The Court's judgment (http://www.bailii.org/cgi-bin/markup.cgi?doc=/ew/cases/EWHC/Ch/2008/2113.html&query=dragonfly&method=boolean), handed down late on Wednesday September 3rd, ruled that the original decision by the Special Commissioners was correct in law. PCG supported Mr Bessell in his appeal and has expressed its shock at the outcome..

Fri, 08 Aug 2008 12:07:59 +0100: Practical advice to freelancers facing debt disasters

PCG has issued some practical guidance for freelancers should they be faced with unpaid invoices as the credit crunch looks set to impact further on UK businesses. According to figures released by the Insolvency Service, the number of companies in administration rose by more than 54% in the first quarter of this year. The number of companies liquidating their business also rose, as did the number of personal insolvencies. .

Wed, 16 Apr 2008 11:57:50 +0100: P35 and ITSA return “service company” questions: advice for PCG members

Some PCG members have recently become very concerned at the new questions on the P35 and Income Tax Self Assessment return, which were announced in the Managed Service Companies consultation document in 2006. This page answers the most commonly-asked questions relating to these revised sections of the forms, based on advice from solicitors Bond Pearce, PCG insurance providers Abbey Tax and tax specialists Accountax. .

Thu, 27 Mar 2008 09:45:15 +0100: Double Taxation Treaty Abuse

Abbey Tax is becoming increasingly aware from both its advice lines and potential claimants under the Professional Expenses Insurance policy that there are a number of contractors who have been tempted to operate through Offshore Solutions offering tax savings (usually the Isle of Man & the Channel Islands) that often promise a higher retained income, or other arrangements, such as invoicing and payment facilities which again promise savings. Whilst the higher retained income is considerably more attractive, it comes at a price. HMRC are clearly irritated by what they see as tax avoidance and are enquiring into contractors, often via the Special Civil Investigations Units (such enquiries because of their serious nature are outside of the scope of the PEI policy), and now it seems that retrospective legislation is to be introduced under the heading of "Double Taxation Treaty Abuse". .

Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:05:16 +0100: PCG Budget analysis 2008

As ever, this year’s Budget contained many warm words to reassure small businesses: it spoke of, “reforms that promote enterprise, support business growth, simplify the tax system, and enhance flexibility and promote science, innovation and skills,” and, “ensuring a modern and fair tax system where everyone pays their fair share of tax.” Elsewhere, and less positively, the Chancellor covered his announcement on the Family Business Tax simply by saying, “We will continue to be vigilant against tax avoidance,” and leaving everyone to find the relevant paragraph in the Red Book. However, he increased the amounts that can be invested in ISAs, simplified reporting requirements for ISA managers and made special provision for ISAs held by Northern Rock customers who withdrew their funds amid the panic of last September: certain types of avoidance are evidently still not frowned on by the Treasury. Whether the Budget really does offer a fair deal to the UK’s freelancers, who are a vital component in any strategy to promote enterprise, flexibility and opportunity, must be judged on the basis of the hard content within it. While there is one predominant headline where family businesses are concerned, beyond this the Budget can be characterised as one full of crucial little details rather than significant changes. .

Thu, 15 Nov 2007 14:50:37 +0100: Freelancers get together for successful Maidenhead RLM

One of the most well attended PCG real life meetings of the year was held earlier this month, with around 25 PCG members, staff and management meeting in Maidenhead. Managing director John Brazier attended the evening (and a similar event in Bury during October) and heard the views of a wide cross-section of members on a range of subjects. There was discussion around the issues facing contractors, current and future PCG products and services, and how to better publicise similar events in the future. Going forward, all confirmed real life meetings will be added to the online PCG events calendar, with members in the local area of the event being contacted directly where appropriate. Thanks go to everyone who attended, and to Charles Berger for organising and publicising another successful event. Find out about events in your area and talk about real life meetings with other freelancers in the PCG RLM forum >> (http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/wwwthreads.pl?a=l&f=meet) .

Tue, 09 Oct 2007 11:25:35 +0100: PCG reaction to Pre-Budget Report

The big issue for freelancers, and many other small businesses, in Alistair Darling’s first pre-Budget is the proposal to take action against “income shifting”. PCG has stated its opposition (http://www.pcg.org.uk/cms/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=3097&Itemid=291) to this proposal and will be presenting its objections to the Treasury during the forthcoming consultation. The Report contains numerous other measures of interest to the UK’s freelancers. PCG’s analysis provides an overview of these and more details regarding what the Chancellor has to say on “income shifting”. .