Disrupting a disruptor: The implications of the Supreme Court’s Uber ruling The UK Supreme Court has ruled that Uber must classify its drivers as workers rather than self-employed contractors. The decision could threaten the position of an already unprofitable company and will have far-reaching HR and tax consequences for the wider ‘gig economy’. Uber drivers
Tax relief for working from home Working from home has become the new normal for much of the UK workforce. During the first national lockdown in 2020, the Office for National Statistics recorded that nearly half of those in employment (46.6%[i]) performed some work at home. Not all of that group will necessarily be aware
Global Mobility and UK Tax Global mobility remains restrained today. However, despite the current pandemic, some businesses are taking those first tentative steps to place key players overseas, driven by the need to ensure business survival. From the perspective of those on the move, what does this mean to employer and employee? The thoughts below
Filing US tax returns is a well-known responsibility of American ex-pats, but the Foreign Bank Account Report (FBAR) is often forgotten. This can be costly, as failing to file the FBAR can draw the attention of the IRS, and lead to some harsh penalties. A United States person that has a financial interest in, or
Chancellor's Summer statement A temporary cut in the sales tax from 20% to 5% has been announced by the UK government for attractions, meals and accommodation. Chancellor Rishi Sunak proposed the measure during his Summer Statement in order to provide relief for some of the sectors worst hit by the coronavirus pandemic. The VAT rate
In a single year, HM Revenue & Customs’ (HMRC) crackdown on overseas tax evasion has seen a massive increase in the number of people admitting to not paying tax. According to a Freedom of Information (FOI) request, 867 British expats declared they failed to pay the amount they owed in 2018-19. This marks a 12-fold
The UK government has delayed proposed changes to the IR35 tax rules until 2021 in response to the COVID-19 crisis. MP Steve Barclay, the chief secretary to the treasury, unexpectedly announced the move on the evening of March 17th and was keen to stress that it was merely a postponement. Mr Barclay said: "I can
The planned changes to the UK’s Inland Revenue 35 (IR35) Laws are intended to create a clear distinction between independent contractors and full-time employees. By determining employment status, HMRC hopes to ensure that proper tax contributions are obtained. In order to achieve this, IR35 shifts the responsibility for determining the status of workers and the
Through a Time Window, Darkly In April 2020, new rules will be taking effect regarding Capital Gains Tax (CGT). The policy change from HMRC aims ‘to improve collection of CGT by reducing error and increasing compliance; customers will have 30 days following property disposal to file their return and make an advance payment towards their
MTD has landed We first examined Making Tax Digital (MTD), and the arguments surrounding it, back in 2017. Now that the dust has settled and MTD has come into force, it seems a good time for another look. From VAT periods commencing 1st April, MTD now applies for most companies that have taxable turnover above
