Spring Statement – 2025
The Chancellor today presented her first Spring Statement, together with a report by the Office of Budget Responsibilities. As noted previously, the Chancellor confirmed that there will be only one fiscal event in the year, and as such, there were no further income tax and National Insurance increases today beyond those already announced in the […]
Reflecting on 2024: Key Changes in Employment Legislation and Preparing for 2025
Businesses have had to navigate significant updates in employment law and tax regulations. From the critical Off-Payroll Off-Set changes to the broader implications of the Employment Rights Bill and shifts in compliance expectations, this year marked a turning point. As we move into 2025, companies must adapt and prepare for the evolving regulatory landscape. Off-Payroll: […]
Autumn Budget 2024
The Chancellor, Rachel Reeves, has announced her much anticipated Budget which contained £40 billion of tax rises. These tax rises will be used to fill an apparent “£22 billion black hole” in the country’s finances and drive growth in the UK economy. Looking at the positives, we expect to see significant Government investment in building […]
HMRC’s Hiring Surge: 5,000 New IR35 Investigators
In line with the government’s commitment to crack down on tax evasion and ensure compliance with UK tax laws, HMRC is set to hire 5,000 new investigators throughout the current government term. This significant recruitment drive, aimed at strengthening the HMRC’s investigative arm, will play a key role in identifying, investigating, and penalising tax fraud […]
Brookson Legal Responds to PGMOL vs HMRC: Supreme Court Sends IR35 Case Back to Tribunal
In a crucial decision, the Supreme Court has remitted the long-running case between Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PGMOL) and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) back to the Upper Tribunal for further consideration. The case, which centres around the employment status of football referees under the IR35 tax legislation, marks a pivotal moment for businesses […]
The Offset Rule: What Recruiters And Contractors Need To Know
How Will the Offset Rule Affect Recruiters and Contractors? Starting April 2024, a significant change to the off-payroll working rules (IR35) will be introduced. This new offset mechanism aims to prevent double taxation and make working with independent contractors more attractive for recruiters. What Is IR35? Since the IR35 rules were updated in 2017 and […]
Reflecting on Three Years of IR35 in the Private Sector
Delving into the workings of IR35’s journey in the private sector over the past three years reveals a tapestry woven with challenges, adaptations, and regulatory evolution. From its debut in 2021 to the latest developments in 2023, IR35 in the private sector has left an indelible mark on how businesses engage with contractors and navigate […]
Spring Budget 2024
The Chancellor announced a “budget for long term growth”, however, with fiscal projections remaining flat and recognising a limited amount of wiggle room, significant tax cuts were not on the table. How will it affect you? The elephant in the room is the continued theme concerning personal finances with the extended freezing of various allowances (namely income tax and inheritance tax) beyond […]
Open Consultation reply: Navigating HMRC’s Proposed Tax Changes
Recap on the consultation change: In April 2023, the government initiated a consultation process to gather opinions on a potential legislative amendment enabling HMRC to offset tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs) paid by a worker against the deemed employer’s PAYE liability. The objective was to address the existing double taxation issue. Fast forward to […]
The Incoming Offset Rule: What Hirers and Contractors Need To Know
How will the offset rule affect contractors and their hirers? In April 2024, a small but potentially significant change is being introduced to the off-payroll working rules, commonly known as IR35. This mechanism, designed to offset a double payment of tax, has the potential to make working with independent contractors more attractive to hirers. What […]