8,000 in-house staff and still IT projects are behind schedule
IT contractors may wonder why most of Whitehall’s IT projects are running behind schedule when the government employs 8,000 IT staff.
Treasury admits income tax and NI cannot merge completely
Some limited company contractors have been hoping that the government’s proposal to align income tax and National Insurance would be the final nail in the coffin for IR35.
Poor service standards have been going on for years in HMRC
Umbrella company contractors may be interested to learn that MPs do not accept HMRC’s excuse that problems with implementing NPS were to blame for poor standards of service.
Are we set for a “brain drain” of top executives?
It would appear that people seeking executive jobs in the UK are not as confident that Britain is “open for business” as the Chancellor is.
New Enterprise Zones could provide more work for contractors
When he delivered his budget speech last week, the Chancellor announced that 21 enterprise zones were to be created rather than the originally planned 10. Businesses moving into one of these will receive discounts of up to 100% on their rates, superfast broadband and enhanced capital allowances where the zone focuses on manufacturing.
MPs to get expert guidance to understand tax legislation?
A group of MPs has said that tax professionals should be given the opportunity to scrutinise how policy changes will be implemented during the legislative phase.
January’s VAT increase may be the first of many
Tim Denison from Synovate believes that the VAT increase which will come into effect next January could be the first of a range of changes.
Forget about tax evasion, honesty must be the best policy
HMRC is set to increase its investigations into tax avoidance and contractors not operating via an umbrella company may wish to get advice from a specialist accountant to ensure that all their tax matters are in order.
Umbrella company IT contractors not happy with budget
IntaPeople, an IT recruitment company has warned that key IT personnel, including those working through umbrella companies, will resign from the public sector and secure better opportunities elsewhere.
Umbrella companies could be hit with pension hike
Both the BCC and the CBI have hit out at the coalition’s proposal to abolish the default retirement age from April 2011. The BCC’s director of policy, Adam Marshall, says this will restrict the ability of businesses to manage their workforce.
Concerns over tax avoidance measures
The government has announced that they will once again look at whether a general anti-avoidance rule should be introduced as a measure to deter limited company tax evaders.
Go easy with tax increases says the BCC
The British Chamber of Commerce has warned George Osborne to tread carefully with his plans to increase taxes in today’s budget. UK umbrella companies will also be watching with interest.
