HMRC’s three-pronged approach to tackling tax avoidance

UK to hold employment agencies, clients liable for umbrella tax gaps

‘Anxious’ contractors await Finance Bill 2026 & Employment Rights Bill

Tax-avoiding umbrella companies ‘using legit names to entice contractors’

Highlighting Red Flags for Recruiters

A long-awaited update on umbrella company tax reforms

Can HMRC reforms solve liability issues between agency and umbrellas?

The government is planning to introduce new legislation in April 2026 that will see a shift in PAYE responsibility to recruitment agencies.

Preparation, Preparation, Preparation

The government’s announcements outline three major areas of change that will affect recruiters

To clamp down on tax avoidance HMRC must halt its ostrich-like behaviour

HMRC doubles down on tax avoidance schemes Flex Payroll, Rainbowpay and Universe Payroll

HMRC consults on clamping down on tax avoidance schemes that ensnare IT contractors

Ten devils in the detail contractors must face

Alongside the Spring Statement, the Government has announced two consultations as part of their efforts to tackle tax avoidance

HR and businesses respond to Spring Statement

No simple fix for umbrella market non-compliance

How should employers navigate IR35 in the supply chain?

Employment Rights Bill: Workers on zero-hours contracts can decline guaranteed hours says latest government proposals

Response to Government work on Compliance

IR35: Government outlines two-pronged approach to umbrella company regulation

IR35: HMRC “downplayed” impact of off-payroll working rules reform on contractors

Labour unveils ‘farcical’ loan charge review, claiming ‘independence’

MPs brand latest independent inquiry into controversial policy ‘a farce’

Packham on loan charge scandal: “Treasury will do all they can to avoid the truth coming out”

Government launches independent Loan Charge review

Government launches another loan charge review

A Budget for Uncertainty

Why the MSC legislation needs to be consigned to history

HMRC’s blunder could let 246 MSCs escape crackdown

UK issues guidance to protect recruiters from non-compliant umbrella firms

Government issues guidance for recruiters using umbrella firms to pay workers

HMRC Launches Pay Checker for Umbrella Workers

HMRC’s core mandate is to collect taxes but in light of its shortcomings, Crawford Temple asks if the tax authority is fit for purpose.

Three ways the 2024 Autumn Budget affects the umbrella company market

Outside IR35: What the Autumn Budget’s Employers’ NI changes mean for IT contractors

Autumn Budget 2024: Umbrella firms face new pressures in compliance overhaul

Autumn Budget: Employment agencies to take on PAYE processing from umbrella firms from April 2026

Umbrella company tax liabilities to be overhauled

Budget views from Around the Industry

Experts say the implications could be costly and risky for some contractors

Autumn Budget 2024: Umbrella companies hit, Employer NICs hiked, and BADR heading for 18%

The government has launched a consultation on how reforms to zero-hours contracts should apply to agency workers, as the Employment Rights Bill had its second reading in the House of Commons.

An increase in employer’s national insurance would have far-reaching
consequences for freelancers.

Government Should Scrap ‘Outdated’ MSC Legislation.

How to close down mini-umbrella company risk as a contractor.

Umbrella company expenses rules: explainer

Following Rachel Reeves’ address to the Labour Conference.

HMRC’s umbrella director indemnity tip to agencies falls a bit flat.

HMRC tax avoidance blacklist surges past 100 schemes for contractors to beware.

No Oscar for HMRC mini-umbrella company film, but at least it’s a warning, of sorts — experts

Compliance firm warns over unsolicited calls from umbrella brokers.

Crawford Temple is CEO and founder of Professional Passport, discusses Labour’s promise to tackle tax avoidance and level the playing field.

"Ghost payroll”: new tax avoidance scheme coming after contractors and recruitment agencies

Ghost Payroll schemes threaten recruitment industry

Umbrella contractors warned over ‘ghost payroll’ schemes

How Labour can address supply chain non-compliance

Further reaction has come from various parts of the recruitment industry as the new government gets to work in fulfilling it promise of change.

Politicians and policymakers “just don’t understand” small businesses in 2024  

Contractor concerns sidelined in election manifestos

HMRC identifies three more tax avoidance schemes as calls for umbrella regulation grow

The next government must deliver on promise to tackle tax avoidance once and for all

The UK needs a fair tax system fit for the 21st century

HMRC issues warning to recruiters on using umbrella firms

Government leaves umbrella industry out in the rain

Fresh inaction on umbrella companies by the government leaves contractors continually vulnerable

Government’s slow regulatory response to umbrella company abuse

Government update on bad umbrellas “underwhelming”

Government updates umbrella company regulation backers - with just three paragraphs

Freelancers left frustrated by latest government inaction over umbrella company tax avoidance protections

The road to regulation is far from a smooth journey

The time for tolerance on tax avoidance is over

Significant changes to holiday pay calculations and rules are coming into effect on April 1st 2024

Umbrella company regulation backers pin hopes on April 18th 2024

Contractors using limited companies ‘get nothing,’ despite higher VAT threshold and 2p NICs cut

Government committee says HMRC ‘is apparently struggling to cope’

The Government must step up enforcement to tackle tax avoidance

The Uncomfortable Echoes Of The Loan Charge And The Boston Tea Party

An IT freelancer’s guide to working through an umbrella company

HMRC’s new umbrella companies guidance for agencies

Autumn Statement 2023 focuses on NIC cuts and IR35 as UK growth forecasts are downgraded

Overall positive news for the sector although more could be done

We highlight the key takeaways and expert reactions to the Autumn Statement

Hunt confirms IR35 offset to apply from April 6th 2024, in ‘unradical’ mini-Budget for UK contractors

[PODCAST] Non-compliance in the umbrella industry: The Definitive Review featuring Crawford Temple and John Whelan

Government announces reforms to simplify holiday pay calculation for UK short-term staff

Employment law compliance: ‘ministers are dragging their feet’

HMRC must be held accountable for umbrella compliance failures

Taxman adds Hamilton Bradbury, Olympus Contracting and Edge Umbrella to his ‘same-old, same-old’ avoidance list.

Government inaction over tax umbrellas drives avoidance schemes,
experts say.

As consultation closes, HMRC already has what it needs to make a difference.

HMRC must demonstrate commitment to umbrella company regulation, experts say

The IR35 Effect

Would HMRC fine itself if its contractors got caught up in an umbrella tax avoidance scheme?

Treasury to double max sentences for tax avoidance and create a new criminal offence

Government umbrella company consultation

Treasury’s ‘tougher consequences for avoidance promoters’ look soft to contractor advisers

Off-payroll has “fuelled” tax avoidance schemes and double taxation “flaws”

The consultation to clean up umbrella industry needs more work, says industry.

New umbrella industry clean-up could still leave clients and agencies “saddled with liability”.

New consultation aims to tackle non compliance among umbrella firms.

IR35: Government set to tackle ‘murky’ umbrella company market

Government responds to umbrella company call for evidence

Experts warn of off-payroll tax avoidance loophole that leaves agencies exposed

Big developments in Off-Payroll, skimming and rolled-up holiday pay

Government vows to make rolled-up holiday lawful

Tax avoidance promoters to face criminal charges under govt rules

A new HMRC consultation will assess whether to criminalise the failure to comply with a Stop Notice

Enforcement is key to tackling non-compliance in employment

HMRC\'s ‘naming and shaming’ of Absolute Outsourcing Ltd and Purple Pay Ltd, expires

The recruitment industry gives a mixed reaction to the Budget.

Contractor sector condemns Spring Budget 2023 as a totally wasted opportunity

Hunt told to ‘fix or ditch’ IR35 ahead of spring budget

Outlook for HMRC avoidance list deemed worryingly healthy

IR35 reforms are “misaligned with Conservative values and impede growth”, say freelancer advocates and MPs

HMRC updates list of named tax avoidance schemes, promoters, enablers and suppliers

Jeremy Hunt urged to withdraw CEST at Budget 2023 amid HMRC ignoring outside IR35 results

Taxman tries to tackle ex-rugby union ace Stuart Barnes on IR35, but fails

Government accused of leaving umbrella company regulation in limbo by shelving enforcement body

Has HMRC admitted that contractors are now paying unnecessary taxes

Government needs to take ‘visible enforcement action’ after ditching plans for workers’ right watchdog

Government’s call for evidence into umbrella sector, still not revealed

Autumn Statement 2022 'wasn’t the time or place for loan charge resolution'

What does the scrapping of the IR35 reversal mean for the labour market?

IR35: self-employed contractors have been ‘thrown under the bus’

Contractors ‘thrown under the bus’ by government’s IR35 flip-flop, say compliance firms

Off-payroll U-turn: New chancellor Jeremy Hunt rips up pledge to repeal IR35 reform

Freelancers: get prepared for more fiscal U-turns, IR35 reform uncertainty

New chancellor reverses repeal to IR35 reforms

Plans to repeal IR35 reforms scrapped by new Chancellor

The end of IR35 may not yet be the end of employment complexity

Tell government not to retrospectively apply IR35 rules

The government's decision to repeal IR35 reforms has been hailed a victory for independent contractors.

Recruiters give nitty gritty on changes to IR35 and MSC legislation

We cover some of the initial reactions followed by the news.

Government repeals public and private sector IR35 reform from April 2023

The government has scrapped controversial reforms to the tax status of self-employed workers in a move aimed at freeing up time and money for businesses.

The treasury has today announced that reforms to IR35 will be abandoned from 6 April 2023.

Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng is due to announce a mini emergency budget tomorrow

The contractor community is patiently awaiting the outcome of this Friday’s mini-Budget

Here’s what IR35, compliance and tax experts have to say on the evolving saga of tax avoidance schemes.

Umbrella IT contractors could get back-dated holiday pay windfall following Supreme Court ruling

Exchequer Solutions Ltd and its £11million tax bill: are there implications for contractors and providers?

Tribunal rules in favour of HMRC as it pursues umbrella company for £11m in unpaid tax

Exchequer v. HMRC: will it mean more bills for contractors?

Compliance and transparency critical to labour market enforcement strategy

Boox responds to MSC investigation by HMRC, slamming it as 'misguided'

HMRC names and shames Tax Avoidance Schemes

Recruitment industry responds to Chancellor’s measures at critical time.

A contractor’s guide to ‘trickster’ Rishi Sunak’s Spring Statement 2022

NI threshold raised to £12,570 but some freelancers will be worse off next year says expert

FCSA to fix 'woolly wording' on holiday pay

Crawford Temple, CEO and founder of Professional Passport, on solving the Holiday Pay challenge

Put Single Enforcement Body to regulate umbrella companies on a timetable, Treasury told

Finance Bill Sub-Committee blames IR35 for ‘concerning’ rise in umbrella company contractors

Crawford Temple is CEO and founder of Professional Passport discusses how the rise in National Insurance for workers affects recruiters

Concern for contractors over reiterated plan to raise national insurance

By carrying out some simple checks of their own, contractors can take control of their personal affairs

Contractors urged to share views on umbrella working with Government

Freelancers forced into tax avoidance by umbrella companies

Crawford Temple says this latest call by the government appears to be a genuine attempt to try to understand the challenges that the umbrella industry is facing.

IR35: Government consultation on umbrella companies fuels regulation hopes

A majority (88%) of off-payroll contractors have been told by firms that they must work through an umbrella company, despite questions about their credibility.

Government calls on contractors to give evidence on umbrella companies.

The government has called this week for evidence on the role that umbrella companies play in the market.

Contractors fear further IR35 changes as 'devastating' legislation holds back freelancers

Umbrella companies unable to get over 'disappointment' of a silent Autumn Budget 2021

The government’s so-called Recovery Budget has received divided reviews from the recruitment, business and economic communities.

A bare Autumn Budget for contractors confirms IR35 reform as ‘done and dusted’

With a noticeable rise in disguised remuneration schemes, Crawford Temple is urging HMRC to focus on targeting the promoters of the schemes rather than the workers:

Rishi Sunak 'cannot repeat the mistakes of his previous Budget' - IR35 & tax changes due

Crawford Temple speculates on what the Chancellor will focus on in his upcoming Autumn Budget:

'Nice-to-have HMRC guidance not a replacement for regulating umbrella companies at Autumn Budget 2021'

Knowing your supply chain post IR35 reform

New HMRC avoidance letters: how contractors with employers should respond

Crawford Temple believes HMRC is fuelling the disguised remuneration marketplace.

Umbrella contractor expenses guide to Supervision, Direction or Control

Government proposes tax avoidance and umbrella firm crackdown

The Good, The Bad and the Ugly - Addressing non-compliance in the supply chain for the good of today’s workplace

Government publishes proposals clamping down on tax avoidance and non-compliant umbrella companies

IR35: Government sets out plan to rid contractor market of non-compliant umbrellas and loan schemes

Does the financial services industry hold the key to compliance?

HMRC is getting more of your money from taxes - how much is inheritance tax costing you?

Loan charge: is it breaching the rule of law?

Addressing the issues of non-compliance in the supply chain

Addressing the issues of non-compliance in the supply chain for the good of today’s workplace

Addressing the issues of non-compliance in the supply chain for the good of today’s workplace

Addressing the issues of non-compliance in the supply chain for the good of today’s workplace

Addressing the issues of non-compliance in the supply chain for the good of today’s workplace

Financial Services industry holds the answer to stamping out non-compliance in the umbrella sector.

BEIS confirms rogue umbrellas will be covered by single enforcement body’s clampdown powers

New watchdog to merge three bodies into one to protect UK workers

Professional Passport leads supply-chain compliance discussion with new report

Crawford Temple, CEO and founder of Professional Passport, views the challenges of making the umbrella sector compliant.

Crawford Temple outlines the importance of looking carefully at the credentials of a provider.

Government passes on amendments aimed at umbrella company regulation

Government rejection of umbrella firm curbs leads to clamour for regulation

The government has rejected calls for further regulation of umbrella companies.

How to avoid a ‘have I got a good idea for you’ scheme

Employment Tribunal awards contractor furloughed holiday pay

BBC mini umbrella company exposé sparks contractor sector blame game

BBC’s File on 4 identifies tax loss through mini umbrella use.

A new report from the BBC has again put the spotlight on schemes that create sham ‘mini umbrella companies’ that UK temporary workers are employed through, costing the UK “hundreds of millions of pounds” in lost taxes.

HR GO and G4S implicated in exploitative umbrella scheme

HMRC facing calls to do more to tackle mini umbrella fraud in wake of BBC investigation

HMRC urged to act as 'dodgy' umbrella companies cost UK taxpayers millions - IR35 warning

IR35: HMRC updates rules on working through an umbrella company - 'this is a good start'

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has updated its guidance on working through umbrella companies this week, with key changes focused on clarifying and refining the information.

Contractors Questions: What is a Mini Umbrella Company?

MPs call for rethink of recent private sector IR35 changes

IR35 reforms: Slow government progress on umbrella regulation exposes IT contractors to tax risks.

IR35 reforms: Confusion over who pays employers’ NI leaves IT contractors out of pocket.

Off-payroll legislation: How to spot a non-compliant umbrella scheme.

Off-Payroll rules: Beware the disguised remuneration operators.

Crawford Temple outlines what a compliant umbrella firm should be providing.

HMRC too complacent in its policing of disguised remuneration schemes says Professional Passport.

Budget 2021: Contractors with just one major client face 'big, unwelcome shock'.

A Supreme Court judgment finally ruling Uber drivers to be ‘workers’ and not independent contractors is being seized on as a boon for limited company workers caught by IR35.

As April’s implementation of IR35 Off-Payroll Working Rules gets closer, Her Majesty’s Revenue & Customs (HMRC) has found itself back at the centre of a controversy this week.

IT contractors warned to be wary of non-compliant umbrella companies.