The coronavirus pandemic has put monumental stress on key workers in the UK, including NHS staff, carers and emergency workers. To show their appreciation, businesses have been offering key workers special discounts and offers. However, HMRC has been made aware of multiple tax avoidance schemes that have been targeting key workers (especially NHS) and trying to mislead them into avoiding their legal tax responsibilities.
This article explains how tax avoidance schemes are targeting key workers – especially those who are returning to work as an extra line of defence against the coronavirus. It will also summarise the serious threats to recruitment agencies, and what you must to do to remain compliant and avoid penalties from HMRC.
The coronavirus pandemic has put monumental stress on key workers in the UK, including NHS staff, carers and emergency workers. To show their appreciation, businesses have been offering key workers special discounts and offers. However, HMRC has been made aware of multiple tax avoidance schemes that have been targeting key workers (especially NHS) and trying to mislead them into avoiding their legal tax responsibilities.
If we rewind to 17th March this year, the Government announced they would be delaying off-payroll (IR35) in the private sector by 12 months. However, despite the delay, they have faced much scrutiny from professional bodies, temporary workers and employment agencies – because they all believe the legislation should be overhauled, or scrapped entirely.
