Articles and information in relation to UK Payroll for business, employers and employees.
HMRC publishes the Employer Bulletin 6 times a year, giving employers and agents the latest information on topics and issues that may affect them. The August edition of the Employer Bulletin brings the latest HMRC updates and guidance to support employers, payroll professionals and agents. The October 2026 edition of Employer Bulletin includes articles on: PAYE Payrolling … Continue reading Employer Bulletin: October 2026
HMRC publishes the Employer Bulletin 6 times a year, giving employers and agents the latest information on topics and issues that may affect them. The August edition of the Employer Bulletin brings the latest HMRC updates and guidance to support employers, payroll professionals and agents. The August 2026 edition of Employer Bulletin includes articles on: PAYE Tax … Continue reading Employer Bulletin: August 2026
HMRC crackdown targets criminals exploiting the high street. HMRC will carry out more than 30,000 interventions this year to tackle tax fraud and illegal activity on the high street. Action targets organised crime groups and others exploiting vape shops, barbers and convenience stores in hotspot areas. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) made unannounced visits to six … Continue reading Dodgy shops: “We are coming for you”
Wound-up in the public interest following Insolvency Service investigations Four companies have been shut down after investigations revealed they were connected to a scheme which helped directors sell struggling businesses for £1 while keeping assets and dropping debts The scheme’s operators failed to preserve accounting records or assess what had happened to the more than … Continue reading Shut down of Four companies linked to scheme aiding directors to walk away from debts
Tax avoidance arrangements seeking to avoid Corporation Tax, Income Tax and National Insurance contributions by using unfunded pension arrangements. HMRC is aware of tax avoidance arrangements used by owner managed companies and their directors. These arrangements are used to reward one or more directors for the services they provide to a company, in a way … Continue reading Disguised remuneration: tax avoidance using unfunded pension arrangements
HMRC is aware that businesses are being approached by organisations offering models which falsely claim to be able to reduce employment costs through ‘tax credits’ offset from third party businesses they have acquired. HMRC considers these arrangements tax evasion. HMRC is aware that businesses are being approached by organisations offering models which falsely claim to be able to reduce … Continue reading Tax fraud warning for employment agencies and employers
HMRC have added a practicing barrister, Setu Kamal, to the HMRC tax avoidance promoters list for the first time. Practising barrister added to GOV.UK tax avoidance promoter list for the first time HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) finds senior legal professional designed four schemes that aimed to avoid Income Tax and National Insurance A practising … Continue reading HMRC name tax avoidance barrister
HMRC publishes the Employer Bulletin 6 times a year, giving employers and agents the latest information on topics and issues that may affect them. Some of these topics have already been covered by PAYadvice.UK in articles and blogs and further articles and blogs may now additionally be published. The August edition of Employer Bulletin includes … Continue reading Employer Bulletin: August 2025
The government says it is committed to closing the tax gap and making the tax system fairer. Good and bad umbrella Many umbrella companies operate diligently, supporting their employees and providing convenience and administrative benefits for agencies. ..too many are used to facilitate non-compliance However, too many are used to facilitate non-compliance including tax avoidance … Continue reading Non-compliant umbrellas to be tackled
New PAYE service announced to save around 35 million taxpayers’ time. At least 90% of taxpayer interactions with HMRC to be digital by 2030. Reducing post and letters to save £50 million a year – equal to almost 1,500 full time nurses. Workers are set to take control of their tax affairs as the government announced on … Continue reading Workers to take control of their tax affairs with new HMRC services
With HMRC clamping down on some umbrella organisations, and new regulatory obligations also being introduced, some employees are finding that the are being transferred from one umbrella to another. HM Revenue and customs have issued guidance for those who are potentially being targeted and involved in tax avoidance arrangements which don’t work. HMRC provide the … Continue reading Being moved between umbrellas?
Dear PAYadvice.UK HMRC have issued the June 2025 edition of the Employer Bulletin which brings the latest HMRC updates and guidance to support employers, payroll professionals and agents. The June edition of Employer Bulletin includes articles on: PAYE Settlement Agreement calculations 2024 to 2025 organised labour fraud — the supply of labour through Employment Intermediaries mandating the … Continue reading June 2025 Employer Bulletin
As part of the Spring Statement 2025, the government have launched a consultation on Closing in on Promoters of tax avoidance schemes. James Murray MP, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury states: [The] Autumn Budget 2024 marked a step change in the government’s ambition to close the tax gap. The government announced it would take stronger … Continue reading Tackling Promoters of Tax Avoidance Schemes
The Chancellor of the Exchequer delivered the 2025 Spring Statement in the House of Commons on Wednesday 26th March 2025. The statement updates Parliament and the nation on the economy, public finances and progress against the Government’s economic objectives, and is accompanied by publication of an Economic and Fiscal Forecast from the Office for Budget Responsibility … Continue reading Spring Statement 2025 – Any payroll impact?
The HM Revenue and Customs has published the latest estimates of the TAX GAP. The headline tax gap estimates are: the UK tax gap in 2022 to 2023 is estimated to be 4.8% of total theoretical tax liabilities, or £39.8 billion in absolute terms, which means HMRC collected 95.2% of all tax due there has been a long-term reduction … Continue reading Mind the Gap – Tax
The most recent additions and updates to the list of named tax avoidance schemes, promoters, enablers and suppliers were published on 7 November 2024. New additions: Adapt Limited (Based in Isle of Man) Balance Bay Services Limited Century Umbrella Limited Consortius Solutions Limited Employe Limited Help protect workers from getting caught out by tax avoidance Tackling … Continue reading The list keeps growing – Tax Avoidance
The image of the umbrella is significant as many of the named tax avoidance and those issued with official stop notices are umbrella organisations. Some even operate across the public sector. The workers are not all high paid, and the resulting tax bill for tax not paid on what is earnings, wages, employment income, can … Continue reading Tax Avoidance promoters – the list keeps growing – now over 120+
As part of the October 2024 Employer Bulletin, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are asking employers to to assist with protecting workers from getting caught using tax avoidance schemes which do not work. The HMRC tax avoidance ‘don’t get caught out’ campaign helps workers such as contractors spot the signs of bad tax advice and understand their … Continue reading Help protect workers from getting caught out by tax avoidance
HMRC package At the Labour party conference (September 2024), Chancellor Rachel Reeves outlined a package of reforms to improve the UK’s tax system to help fix the foundations of the UK economy. As part of the package, HMRC will launch a consultation on electronic invoicing (e-invoicing) to promote its wider use across UK businesses and … Continue reading Closing the TAX GAP
Accent Umbrella Ltd (AUL) has been named by HMRC as a promoter of tax avoidance schemes. Please be cautious following advice from these entities about joining other umbrella companies. We advise users of this scheme to contact us to get help to exitHMRC Accent Umbrella advertised itself as ‘the perfect compliment to your work life. … Continue reading With Accent Umbrella? Get out!
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have added more tax avoidance schemes that don’t work. Bluestar Financial Solutions Limited The scheme user enters an employment contract with Bluestar Financial Solutions Limited who make composite payments to the scheme users for services provided by the user. The first element is a salary with tax and National Insurance … Continue reading HMRC names more tax avoidance schemes
They we have added (25th September 2023) three more names to the published list of tax avoidance schemes Olympus Contracting Limited, Hamilton Bradbury Ltd and Edge Umbrella Ltd. They urge anyone involved in these (and similar schemes) to get in touch if using these umbrella companies so they can provide help to exit. Olympus Contracting … Continue reading HMRC name three more tax avoidance schemes that don’t work
HMRC have added new names to their list of Tax Avoidance promoters. Some of these umbrella companies arrangement use an unusual structure utilising users' Personal Service Companies (PSC). ABC Umbrella Ltd The arrangements involve individuals providing their services to end clients or agencies through ABC Umbrella Limited as their employer. The individuals also enter an … Continue reading HMRC names and warns users of more tax avoidance scheme promoters
As part of the August 2023 employer bulletin and also spotlight 62, HMRC are communicating information on another failed tax avoidance scheme. They state that: HMRC is aware of a tax avoidance scheme currently being marketed to owner managed companies, designed to divert dividend income from themselves to their minor children. The scheme is promoted … Continue reading Funding education by dividend diversion? It doesn’t work!
Fines are to be more than tripled for employers and landlords who allow illegal migrants to work for them or rent their properties. Fines are to be more than tripled for employers and landlords who allow illegal migrants to work for them or rent their properties, in the biggest shake up of civil penalties since … Continue reading Tripling of fines for those supporting illegal migrants
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have named a further three tax avoidance promoters. They have added to their naming list: Bluemoore Associates Ltd, Resource Hubco Ltd, and PAYE services Ltd as tax avoidance schemes. They urge anyone using these umbrella companies to get help to exit. Bluemoore Associates Ltd (BAL). The users sign a contract … Continue reading Three more tax avoidance umbrellas named
The estimated tax gap for the 2021 to 2022 tax year is at an all-time low of 4.8%. The amount of unpaid UK tax has remained at an all-time low of 4.8%, HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) revealed. The annual Measuring Tax Gaps publication estimates the difference between the total amount of tax expected to … Continue reading Tax gap remains at 4.8%
HMRC is writing to UK residents named in the leaked Pandora Papers to give them the chance to correct their tax affairs. UK residents who were named in the leaked Pandora Papers are being given the chance to correct their tax affairs. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) is writing to UK residents named in the … Continue reading HMRC gives offshore holders chance to come clean
The most recent update was on 20th April 2023 with the addition of Acacia Resourcing Services Limited and Marquee Ltd. Acacia Resourcing Services Limited Users sign an employment contract with Acacia that says they will be paid at least the National Minimum Wage (NMW). Users also enter into an Option Grant Agreement with Acacia. Users … Continue reading More tax avoidance Umbrellas named
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) are advising users of the named schemes promoted by Charteris Management Ltd (CML) to withdraw from them. These schemes often targeted physiotherapists, radiographers, and nurses, and often wrongly promise avoidance of National Insurance and Income Tax. The scheme users enter into an employment contract with Charteris Management Ltd (CML), providing … Continue reading More warnings to medical staff about dirty umbrellas
HMRC are always detecting new tax scams. Beware of fraudsters offering refunds or tax rebates in the run up to the 31st January Self Assessment deadline. In the 12 months to August 2022, HMRC has: responded to 181,296 referrals of suspicious contact from the public. Some 80,662 of these offered bogus tax rebates responded to 55,386 reports … Continue reading Self Assessment taxpayers could be fraudsters target
HMRC uses new powers to publicly name the directors of tax avoidance promoting companies. Tax avoidance bosses have been named for the first time in the latest move to help protect the public. HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has used new powers to publicly name directors of tax avoidance promoting companies, with customers being warned … Continue reading Directors of a tax avoidance promoters named for the first time
A tax avoidance promoter based in The Shard has been exposed by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) with users warned to withdraw or risk large tax bills. ContractorCare Ltd has been named by HMRC as a tax avoidance promoter, along with PAYEme Ltd, and Gateway Outsource Solutions Ltd. Customers of these business are being urged … Continue reading London landmark tax avoidance scheme named
As part of the August 2022 employer bulletin, HMRC has issued information on Organised Labour Fraud. Organised labour fraud is the collective name HMRC gives to three main frauds: labour fraud in constructionmini-umbrella company fraudpayroll company fraud It’s ‘organised’ because it is orchestrated and conducted by organised crime groups. It’s ‘labour fraud’ because it always … Continue reading Organised Labour Fraud
Countrywide Partners Limited has been named as a promoter of a tax avoidance scheme by HMRC. If you have been paid by them via this scheme where a part of your salary was in the form of a loan, please get in touch with HMRC now! Scheme users entered into an employment contract with Countrywide … Continue reading More tax avoidance schemes named
A tax avoidance scheme promoter has been hit with a £1 million fine after a legal challenge by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC). Hyrax Resourcing Ltd was handed the almost-maximum allowed fine by the First Tier Tribunal for failing to disclose an avoidance scheme to HMRC as legally required. Hyrax promoted a disguised remuneration scheme … Continue reading Tax avoidance promoter fined £1 million
HMRC names Peak PAYE Ltd as a tax avoidance promoter and urges individuals to withdraw from using it. This tax avoidance scheme has been exposed by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) on 8th June 2022, to help ensure customers do not end up with large tax bills. Individuals using a tax avoidance scheme provided by … Continue reading HMRC urges customers to leave tax avoidance scheme promoted by London-based firm
Best Employment Services provided umbrella payroll services and outsourced its operations to a network of Isle of Man companies, and shifted assets to Anguilla. Adrian Benedict Sacco 55, has been disqualified after running an umbrella payroll services company with links to the Isle of Man, potentially costing the public millions in unpaid income tax, National … Continue reading Umbrella company director banned
More than £1 billion has been recovered from the proceeds of crime and tax offenders since the formation of a specialist HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) fraud squad five years ago. Launched in April 2016, the department’s Fraud Investigation Service (FIS) has now recovered assets equivalent to funding around 20,000 NHS nurses for an entire … Continue reading HMRC fraud squad takes back £1 billion from offenders
Naming tax avoidance promoters As part of the approach to support taxpayers to steer clear, or move out, of tax avoidance HMRC plans to publish details of those involved in the supply of mass-marketed tax avoidance schemes and details of the schemes they are selling. This will enable taxpayers to spot avoidance schemes more easily … Continue reading HMRC to name tax avoidance promoters
Rogue directors who dissolve companies and avoid paying liabilities to staff, creditors and the taxpayer can now be disqualified from being a director. The Insolvency Service has new powers to tackle unfit directors who dissolve companies to avoid paying liabilities. The Rating (Coronavirus) and Directors Disqualification (Dissolved Companies) Act helps tackle directors dissolving companies to … Continue reading Crackdown on directors who dissolve companies to evade debts
As part of the Autumn budget 2021 announcements, the government are progression new measures to clamp down on promoters of tax avoidance schemes. The measure is targeted at the most persistent and determined promoters and enablers of tax avoidance. The proposed legislative changes are designed to clamp down on the supply of tax avoidance arrangements. … Continue reading Clamping down on tax avoidance
The traffic commissioner for the West Midlands, Nick Denton, recently held a public inquiry into Mafuwer Logistics Ltd. The company was granted a standard international licence for three vehicles in December 2020. The traffic commissioner found that almost all of the company’s financial resources had been provided by a £50,000 bounceback loan (BBL) in May … Continue reading Improperly obtained bounce-back loan
HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) have issued new guidance to help agencies and employers reduce their risks of using umbrella employers who are operating tax avoidance schemes. Tax avoidance schemes Disguised remuneration schemes These schemes claim to prevent some payments being taxable. They describe taxable earnings paid for doing a job as something that is … Continue reading Reduce risk of using umbrellas who operate tax avoidance schemes
HM Treasury have published two consultations in relation to Anti-Money Laundering: 1. Changes to the Money Laundering Regulations 2. Reviewing the UK’s anti money laundering and terrorist financing regulatory and supervisory regime Both consultations are open for responses until 14th October 2021. More information on all of HMRC’s anti money laundering guidance for businesses can … Continue reading Money Laundering Consultations launched
The HMRC annual Measuring Tax Gaps publication estimates the difference between the total amount of tax expected to be paid and the total amount of tax actually paid during the financial year. The majority of taxpayers pay the tax that is owed. This year’s estimated tax gap at 5.3% represents £35 billion compared to 5% … Continue reading Tax gap low at 5.3%
Union body warns use of umbrella companies could spiral post-pandemic New TUC research estimates that half of agency workers work for umbrella companies The TUC has called for umbrella companies to be banned. The union body says the scandalous workplace practices associated with umbrella companies have “no place in modern Britain”. An umbrella company is … Continue reading TUC urges ban on umbrella companies – end exploitation of workers amid scandalous workplace practices which have “no place in modern Britain”
Reforms to the tax system that will make it easier for small businesses to fill out their returns have been announced by the government 20th July 2021. Self-employed and small businesses are set to benefit from simpler tax reporting ruleNew measures to clamp down on promoters of tax avoidance, including supporting taxpayers to steer clear … Continue reading Simplified tax reporting for self-employed and small businesses
Leicester payroll services boss banned for orchestrating multi-million pound tax avoidance scheme, while failing to justify £37 million expenditure in 11 months Scott Rooney, of Leicester, was appointed sole director of Magnetic Push Limited in February 2017. The company provided payroll services, trading from a serviced office in Liverpool, and was previously known as The … Continue reading Payroll boss in tax avoidance scheme 11-year ban
The G7 has agreed (5th June 2021) to back an historic international agreement on global tax reform which delivers on the Chancellor’s promise for big international companies to start paying their fair share. G7 Finance ministers strike seismic agreement on global tax reform meaning the largest multinational tech giants will pay their share of tax … Continue reading G7 Agrees Historic Global Tax Agreement
Question To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether HMRC uses real time information to close down tax avoidance schemes. Answer Answered on 27 May 2021 HMRC identify new avoidance schemes and the promoters behind those schemes using a range of data and intelligence, including real time information from PAYE systems. HMRC actively monitor the … Continue reading RTI data and Tax avoidance
HMRC have issued guidance (13th May 2021) to both and help warn business to be aware of risks within Labour supply chains. Why assure the labour supply chain Failing to take reasonable action to make sure that the supply of labour is legitimate can lead to significant legal, financial and reputational risks, liability for unpaid … Continue reading Supply chain due diligence to assure labour supply chains
HMRC have issued information on fraud being committed by a number of Mini Umbrella Companies. HMRC claim that every business which either places or uses temporary labour should be aware of the potential dangers posed to by mini umbrella company fraud. Not only can a fraudulent supply chain lead to reputational and financial damage to … Continue reading Mini Umbrella Company (MUC) fraud
HMRC have published further guidance (29th April 2021) to clarify the position on agency and contractors who are employees of umbrella organisations. Working through an umbrella company Those employed by umbrellas can find out about how and what they will be paid if they are an agency worker or contractor and work through an umbrella … Continue reading HMRC publish guidance for those employed by umbrellas
Dear Payadvice.U.K. Our consultation on 'Raising standards in the tax advice market' was published on 23rd March 2021. This is your chance to have your say. We need to understand the impact these proposals would have on taxpayers, businesses, the insurance industry and the wider tax advice market, so your views are really important to … Continue reading Consultation on ‘Raising standards in the tax advice market: professional indemnity insurance and defining tax advice’
The Low Incomes Tax Reform Group (LITRG) has published a research report looking at the use of ‘umbrella’ companies and other labour market intermediaries in the UK. The factual and technical report also considers the nature and scale of disguised remuneration schemes. It is intended to help increase public knowledge of how labour market intermediaries … Continue reading ‘Umbrella’ companies under the spotlight
HMRC have issued the April 2021 Employer Bulletin, again, packed full with information. In this month’s edition of the Employer Bulletin there are updates and information on COVID-19 updates and information:Coronavirus Job Retention SchemeVAT deferral new payment schemeNew one-off payment of £500 to support working households receiving tax creditsExtension of filing dates for internationally mobile … Continue reading HMRC April 2021 Employer Bulletin
Dear Payadvice, HMRC's Anti Money Laundering Supervision (AMLS) team is changing its name to Economic Crime Supervision (ECS) from 1 April 2021. This change does not affect our responsibilities under the Money Laundering Regulations or how we will interact with you. You may continue to see AMLS referenced in correspondence from us during April whilst the changes take effect. You … Continue reading HMRC Anti Money Laundering team change name to Economic Crime Supervision
The government has published 23rd March 2021 a series of tax documents and consultations in a move to strengthen policymaking and help create a more trusted, simple and modern tax system. government publishes more than 30 tax updates, consultations and documents to strengthen policymaking and modernise UK tax systemlarge number of the announcements form a … Continue reading Government strengthens tax policymaking with over 30 updates, consultations and documents published
Dear @PAYadvice, HMRC's regular Talking Points provide information, guidance and tips to help you to understand tax issues. We have more Talking Points webinars coming up. There are a limited number of spaces, so save your place now. Penalties for enablers of defeated tax avoidance: This webinar gives an overview of the penalties for enablers of … Continue reading HMRC Talking Points
Dear @PAYadvice, Our Employer Bulletin (December 2020, Issue 87) includes a host of useful information including the extension to the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme, VAT deferral and VAT reverse charge measures for the construction industry, Virtual Christmas Parties and Brexit transition updates. There’s also a timely reminder about how to report PAYE Real Time Information … Continue reading December 2020 HMRC Employer Bulletin
The IT contractor - Duncan’s story Duncan is a 55-year-old IT project manager. He’s married with two children and lives in London. When he started working as a contractor, he chose to use an umbrella company to help him manage his payroll admin. He found one through a comparison website. Duncan didn’t ask enough questions … Continue reading Failed tax avoidance – the IT contractors story
HMRC have shared stories of contractors who have been caught up in tax avoidance schemes. They were promised higher take-home pay, lower tax bills and less paperwork. Instead, it cost them time, money and stress. Tanya is a single parent. She works as a critical care nurse at her local hospital. She found her job … Continue reading The nurses story – failed tax avoidance
The Advertising Standards Authority @ASA_UK have published an enforcement notice to ensure businesses who advertise tax avoidance schemes are upfront about the risks involved This Enforcement Notice is jointly-issued with HMRC and provides guidance to promoters of tax arrangement schemes. The notice applies to websites which advertise a tax arrangement scheme to UK individuals or … Continue reading Enforcement notice – advertising tax arrangement schemes
HMRC have updated their guidance 19th November 2020 about paying what is owed to HMRC and added new information about providing settlement information. The #loancharge deadline passed on 30th September 2020. Guidance is now available for those who want to settle all their tax liabilities related to disguised remuneration and loans subject to the loan … Continue reading Disguised remuneration: settling your tax affairs #loancharge
The Government has published (Thursday 12th November 2020) responses to calls for evidence in the market for tax advice and the tackling of promoters of tax avoidance. Raising standards for tax advice The Government is publishing a Summary of Responses and Next Steps from the call for evidence on raising standards in the market for … Continue reading Raising standards for tax advice – Tackling promoters of tax avoidance
Off-Payroll Working Rules (IR35): education and support to help prepare for April 2021 changes Medium or large-sized non-public sector organisations and contractors need to start to prepare for the changes to the off-payroll working rules. These changes were legislated for in the recent Finance Act and will come into effect on 6th April 2021. Changes … Continue reading Off-Payroll working rules (IR35) – are you prepared?
Please see message sent on behalf of the HMRC’s Fraud Investigation Service, Threat Response Unit. This article has been written to provide you with material to share with your membership / readership in relation to the Mini Umbrella Company Fraud risk. Every business which either places or uses temporary labour should be aware of the … Continue reading Fraud awareness – Mini Umbrella Company (MUC)
Message sent on behalf of the HMRC Counter Avoidance Team. There’s still time to file, pay or discuss a Time to Pay arrangement With the 30 September 2020 deadline approaching, customers with loans subject to the Loan Charge should be mindful of any actions they need to address well in advance of the 30 September … Continue reading Loan charge deadline 30th September
HMRC Chief Executive appears at Public Accounts CommitteeJim Harra, HMRC’s Chief Executive and First Permanent Secretary, appeared at the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) today. You can watch his appearance. Jim Harra, Public Accounts Committee Jim was asked to comment on a range of topics including the tax gap, EU transition the and the Coronavirus Job … Continue reading Tax Gap & the Job retention fraud
HMT by PSP (c)2019 Customer Stakeholder Engagement Team| HM Revenue & Customs have provided the following: Back in September 2017, legislation was introduced which can hold a corporate liable if it fails to prevent any associated person from facilitating tax fraud. This is known as the Corporate Criminal Offences (CCO). It is easy to see … Continue reading Corporate Criminal Offences – more than just a legislative tool, and why you should care