New rules on how contractors working in the private sector pay tax (IR35) will come into force in April 2020, one year from now. The Recruitment & Employment Confederation (REC) is urging the government to commit to publishing the final legislation by October 2019, giving businesses six months to prepare fully for the new rules.
Candidate shortages for permanent roles mean that the use of contractors provides UK employers with a crucial outlet and a means of harnessing the right skills and expertise quickly. In times of uncertainty, access to highly skilled individuals to drive specific projects has become more important than ever. As they stand, IR35 rules put some people off contracting.
The REC believes agencies (recruiters) should not bear responsibility for their client’s (the organisation/recipient of the work) decision on who falls into IR35 status, and wants HMRC to support recruiters in determining who is eligible to pay IR35 tax.
A new survey of REC members' readiness for IR35 changes indicates:
- Nine in ten respondents (91 per cent) said their clients have only some or no awareness of the changes coming into effect.
- More than nine in ten respondents believe that making clients liable for their worker supply chains would improve, at least to some extent, accuracy on IR35 determination.
- Almost a third (30 per cent) have no confidence in the ability of the government’s CEST tool which is used to make accurate IR35 determinations.
- Seven in ten (69 per cent) respondents said that the requirement of all parties to pass along IR35 determinations is a concern.
Recruitment & Employment Confederation Director of Policy and Campaigns, Tom Hadley said:
“Contractors and interim managers play an essential role within our economy – especially in periods of transition and uncertainty. The planned changes to taxation which are due to come into effect a year from now could significantly impede labour market agility at a time when UK businesses need it most.
“I am pleased that the Chancellor responded promptly to a recent letter from the REC detailing our concerns about where liability lies within the recruitment supply chain when determining IR35 status, and about how the small company exemption would work in practice. We also urge HMRC to improve the CEST tool for checking status to give employers and recruiters a fair chance of implementing the charges effectively, with a recent survey of members saying that a third had no confidence in the tool.
“Everyone should pay the right level of tax but what our members want is clarity and a level playing field. We will continue to work with the government to find solutions and ensure that we do not jeopardise the substantial benefits that contracting brings to the UK economy.”
Results from survey conducted by the REC with its members on Tuesday 2 April 2019
1. How aware are your clients of the new IR35 reforms coming to force in April 2020?
(227 respondents)
Very aware 9%
Some awareness 75%
No awareness 16%
2. How transparent are the supply chains you work in?
(224 respondents)
Very transparent 39%
Somewhat transparent 54%
None at all 6%
3. Would making clients liable for their supply chains improve accuracy on IR35 determinations?
(240 respondents)
Yes 52%
No 7%
To some extent 41%
4. Would a legal requirement on all parties to pass on the clients determination help increase transparency in supply chains?
(221 respondents)
Yes 71%
No 5%
To some extent 24%
5. How confident are you in the ability of CEST to make accurate IR35 determination?
(232 respondents)
Very confident 4%
Somewhat confident 66%
None at all 30%
6. What aspect of the reforms are you most concerned with?
(227 respondents)
Small business exemption for the end client 8%
Client led resolution process 22%
Requirement of all parties to pass along IR35 determination 23%
All the above 46%
None 2%
Ends
1. For more information, contact the REC Press Office on 0207 009 2157/2192 or pressoffice@rec.uk.com. An ISDN line is available for interviews on 0207 021 0584
2. IR35 was introduced by the government to ensure that anyone working via their own limited company or another intermediary paid the correct amount of tax where the circumstances are that they would be deemed to be an employee (for tax purposes).
3. The REC urges the government to adopt an approach to any private sector reforms that allows businesses adequate time to prepare, resolves the issues with the off payroll rules in the public sector, and reduces the administrative costs and burden to business.
4. The REC is all about brilliant recruitment, which drives our economy and delivers opportunity to millions. As the voice of the recruitment industry, we champion high standards, speak up for great recruiters, and help them grow. Recruitment is a powerful tool for companies and candidates to build better futures for themselves and a strong economy for the UK. Find out more about the Recruitment & Employment Confederation at www.rec.uk.com.
