New HMRC corporate report summarises how modern tax avoidance schemes operate - FI

New HMRC corporate report summarises how modern tax avoidance schemes operate

Disguised Remuneration, HMRC, Offshore, Tax, Tax AvoidanceLeave a comment

A new corporate report released by HMRC in 2022 features a frequently updated list of named tax avoidance schemes and how they have been helping temporary workers avoid paying their fair share of income tax and National Insurance Contributions. In this article, we’ve summarised the creative ways unethical tax avoidance schemes operate to help you understand the warning signs of a payroll provider that could land you in serious trouble with HMRC. We have also explained how compliant umbrella companies will operate (PAYE) – to help you pick a provider you can trust.

Warning: New fraud targetting recruitment agencies has been brought to our attention by the FCSA - FI

Warning: New fraud targeting recruitment agencies has been brought to our attention by the FCSA

Advice, FCSA, Fraud, Recruitment, Umbrella CompanyLeave a comment

The Freelancer and Contractor Service Association (FCSA) has brought a new type of fraud to its members’ attention, targeting recruitment agencies. This blog summarises the new scam and explains how it works. If you represent a staffing agency and place temporary workers – you must read the following and ensure your business has precautions in place.

Churchill Knight Blog - Defra and MoJ rack up a combined £120 million tax bill due to incorrect IR35 assessments - FI

Defra and MoJ rack up a combined £120 million tax bill due to incorrect IR35 assessments

Government, HMRC, IR35, LegislationLeave a comment

Two government departments have recently unveiled they face a combined tax bill of over £120 million due to IR35 status errors. The Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) and the Ministry of Justice (MoJ) used CEST, the government’s IR35 status tool, to determine the IR35 status of their temporary workforce. Unfortunately, the tool appears to have failed. Keep reading, and we will explain why Defra and the MoJ face such heavy tax bills from the government.

New government umbrella company consultation suggests regulations could be on the horizon FI

New government umbrella company consultation suggests regulations could be on the horizon

Government, Umbrella CompanyLeave a comment

The government has launched an open consultation into the role of umbrella companies in the labour market to better understand the industry and how umbrellas interact with the tax and employment rights systems. The consultation requests multiple stakeholders’ input by answering a series of questions, including contractors, recruitment professionals, and end-hirers. In this article, we summarise the consultation and explain how you can help contribute to the sector’s expected developments next year.

The Autumn Budget 2021 in a snapshot - FI

The Autumn Budget 2021 and Spending Review in a snapshot

Budget, GovernmentLeave a comment

Today (Wednesday 27th October 2021), Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rishi Sunak, delivered his third budget in parliament, along with the Spending Review. As the country looks to bounce back from the catastrophic impact of the coronavirus pandemic, experts predicted several tax hikes and strategies to recuperate billions of pounds for the UK economy. This blog article summarises the key announcements in the Autumn Budget 2021 and Spending Review, and includes feedback from the Freelancer and Contractor Services Association (FCSA).

Important information for agency and temporary workers: beware umbrella company cloning - FI

Important information for agency and temporary workers: beware umbrella company cloning

Contractor, Recruitment, Umbrella CompanyLeave a comment

A new type of fraud has swept across the umbrella company sector, and it’s targetting compliant umbrella companies, recruitment agencies and tens of thousands of honest, hard-working contractors and freelancers. Please keep reading as we explain what umbrella cloning is, what has happened so far, which companies have been targeted, and how to identify fake communication from criminals pretending to represent legitimate umbrella companies.

New government guidance to help recruitment agencies avoid referrals to non-compliant umbrella companies - FI

New government guidance to help recruitment agencies avoid referrals to non-compliant umbrella companies

Advice, Government, Recruitment, Umbrella Company1 Comment

The government has released new guidance for UK-based recruitment agencies and businesses that place temporary workers with umbrella companies. The guidance aims to help companies to reduce the risk of referring candidates to non-compliant umbrella companies. We’ve summarised the guidance below, and it’s well worth a read.

Why is Churchill Knight Umbrella partnered with My Digital – umbrella company software providers? - FI

Why is Churchill Knight Umbrella partnered with My Digital – umbrella company software providers?

Cyber crime, Software, Umbrella CompanyLeave a comment

Churchill Knight Umbrella is committed to compliance within our sector. However, we’re equally dedicated to customer service and ensuring our umbrella company employees have the best possible payroll experience using our umbrella company. As a result, we’re delighted to provide all our employees with access to My Digital – state-of-the-art cloud-based software specially designed exclusively for umbrella companies. My Digital makes getting paid with an umbrella company more effortless than ever before. Most importantly, the software is secure and protected with cyber security that is second to none. Keep reading, and we’ll explain My Digital’s approach to cyber security.

Recruitment agencies must be aware of company cloning security threat

Recruitment, Umbrella CompanyLeave a comment

In recent news, a well-known UK-based umbrella company appears to have been struck by cyber-security breaches – causing havoc to the organisation, its employees and the supply chain. This blog explains what recruitment agencies can do to protect themselves and their candidates from unscrupulous activities within the supply chain. Sadly, recruitment agencies appear to have been targeted too, as we explain below.