HMRC has published its latest consultation on off payroll working rules. As we have previously discussed (Global Workplace insider post – June 2018), the reformed off payroll rules which have applied in the public sector since April 2017 will be extended to the private sector from 6 April 2020. The consultation has raised
Following on from the recent cases on employment status there has been much discussion regarding how individuals should be appointed. Whilst some commentary has suggested that companies should consider appointing their contractors through Personal Service Companies (PSC’s), is this an ideal solution?
Currently, where a private sector employer appoints a contractor who operates through a
Changes to taxation of termination payments came into force in the United Kingdom on 6 April 2018. The new rules will mean that income tax and national insurance contributions (NICs) will be payable on all payments which relate to an employee’s notice period.
The position prior to 6 April was that a “termination payment” (being any payment that is not already chargeable to income tax) could be paid tax free up to £30,000. However, any payments made pursuant to the contract of employment including a contractual payment in lieu of notice (PILON) would be subject to tax in the usual way. One particular area of issue was the taxation of discretionary PILONs. Whilst a discretionary PILON may be outside the contract and therefore could arguably fall within a true termination payment, where such a payment has become “customary” then the UK tax authority (HMRC) has sought to tax that non-contractual PILON.
The UK Government has published its response to a consultation on the taxation of termination payments. In 2015, the Government issued a consultation paper containing various different proposals for simplifying the regime. The paper published on 10 August is the Government response and also includes draft legislation for further consultation.
Currently under UK legislation payments