PCG sets out new strategy after judicial review's 88 pages of guidance
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In this issue:
* * * * * * * * * * * * PCG Strategy TLC 35 Real Life Meetings * * * * * * * * * * * *
Message from PCG's Chairman, Jane Akshar:
In the past two years, the PCG has grown from a single issue campaign group to a strong multi-interest group of nearly 14,000. While IR35 and the methods of defeating it remain the top priority for contractors - and remain PCG's top priority in helping contractors in this area - the climate has changed. The PCG is developing its future strategy, as outlined by the following paper.
The first year of the PCG was relatively straight-forward - although those involved at the time might not have felt so - there was a single issue; a common enemy; a political agenda. The second year, the political battle moved to the legal arena, the only authority which could overturn domestic legislation was the courts by way of a challenge to its validity under European law.
As it happened, the recent outcome of the judicial review was not a clear cut 'win or lose'. While the judgement failed to deliver the knock-out blow many hoped it would and remove IR35 from the Statute Books, the judge went several steps further than many others thought. He issued 88 pages of guidance which attempted to bring some sense to the chaos which had previously characterised the implementation of IR35.
In footballing parlance, previously it wasn't a case of the Inland Revenue moving the goal-posts, it was more like the goal-posts had not been built! What Mr Justice Burton did was give contractors the goal to aim for.
PCG's first and last role is to represent contractors' interests in all issues, including IR35. To date, PCG and its members have provided effective opposition to IR35 politically and legally. Members should be heartened to know that we have it on good authority from 'sources close to.....' that what the Government thought was a relatively technical issue turned into the biggest fiscal problem 'since the Poll Tax'.
However, the options and the 'opposition' are now not so clear cut. PCG and its members can go down several roads and it is important to realise that these are not mutually exclusive - but should be differently weighted at different times.
The PCG Board has consulted members and advisers and has formulated this year's strategy - while not so straight-forward as a political lobbying campaign or a legal battle will, we believe, give contractors the best chances of building their businesses outside the restrictions of IR35.
The PCG strategy:
Empowerment by information: Getting our members out of IR35 remains a priority, we have to provide contractors with the wherewithal to move their businesses and contracts to a B2B arrangement which will clear the IR35 hurdle by a mile. PCG already has a number of documents available and we are updating the IR35 Guide to bring them all into one place. Significantly - and taking into account Mr Justice Burton's binding guidance - the PCG will be providing a step-by-step fact-pack which will help contractors demonstrate that they fulfil the criteria for being outside IR35. The two main documents currently being prepared by PCG's Kevin Miller and will cover 1) indicators for a real business; and 2) how to demonstrate you have carried out due diligence in assessing your status.
Additionally, the fact-pack will be updated regularly to keep contractors completely up to date with new information and relevant case law.
Education of clients and agents. Contractors need not only to operate outside the restrictions of IR35 but to be seen to be doing so. To this end, clients and agents are important participants in the 'big picture'. Although we hope that individual contractors will help in the process of educating and informing clients and agents, the PCG will provide support on how to achieve this. The PCG will also be liaising with clients and agents representative bodies to inform them about the reality and mutual benefits of B2B contracts for their contractors.
Case Law We will use case law to win specific points that increase the size of the target for PCG members and move tranches of contractors out of IR35. By selecting typical examples and winning those in the courts we can make the goal bigger. However, this strategy does take time and money.
Continued Revenue Meetings Having a new person in at the Revenue and the judge's criticism of their guideline gives us an opportunity to clarify the guidelines and to stop some of the errors and misjudgements which have resulted in two differing opinions of one contract. The efforts of PCG members for the past two years have 'got us a seat' at the Revenue table. We want to work constructively for the benefit of our members and we want to see results - and are prepared to use this opportunity to try to achieve this.
Submitting Contracts to Revenue There is no requirement to submit a contract to either the Revenue or to a professional adviser. This is obviously a personal decision - but contractors should be advised that 1) professional advisers are likely to err on the side of caution (by their own admission!) and 2) armed with the correct information, you are the best person to decide whether or not you are running a business and 3) if you intend to submit it to the Revenue, be advised that there might be some time before the impact of the judge's ruling filters down to the 'coal-face'.
The JR Appeal The issues raised by the judicial review are wider-reaching than IR35 - it enters as yet uncharted waters relating to the impact of European law on domestic fiscal policy. However, the wheels of justice move slowly and, PCG is preparing for a lengthy legal encounter, it should be realised that this will not bring any quick fixes - and if and when justice is 'done' there will be no turning the clock back for the many thousands of businesses which have closed down, moved overseas or decided to adapt to the new environment.
PCG has now presented papers at the first stage of the appeal process - that of seeking the permission of the Court of Appeal to appeal.
The nuclear option IR35 is a bad piece of legislation. Nothing anyone does or says will change that. However, it is now a fact of life, that it is a bad piece of legislation that is here to stay - at least in the short term - and in the meantime, the commercial world in which contractors operate does not stand still.
Nevertheless, it is invidious that any individual charged with paying tax and NI as an employee, who is forced into a financial position that neither he nor his clients want, should then be doubly penalised and not 'benefit' from statutory and discretionary employee benefits.
Conclusion So, we've reached a cross-roads where contractors have to decide if they want to adapt and survive. For PCG's part it will ensure that its members are the best-informed contractors to make that decision and 'put the ball in the back of the net'. In the meantime, we will continue to increase that target through negotiation and case law. We will progress the judicial review appeal through the legal channels. And we will endeavour to ensure that those taxed unfairly because of IR35 are not treated unfairly in relation to their rights and benefits.
Real Life Meetings While the 'virtual world' of PCG has been an unparalleled success in terms of organising a campaign, you still can't beat 'the real thing'. Increasingly individual members of the PCG are organising local meetings to get-together with other members. The format varies considerably from structured local meetings with agendas, speakers and an objective of co-ordinating local campaigning, to opportunities to make new business contacts and share information about the local contracting market; to nothing more than a pint (or two) and a late curry.
This is driven by members at grass roots level and we would like to help this develop. Any local PCG members who are organising get-togethers, should send details to susie@susiehughes.co.uk for inclusion in this section of the newsletter.
Please include an email contact point and at least one week's notice.
Central London A group is meeting at the Cheshire Cheese, off Fleet St - the JR war room. From 6.30pm on Weds 23rd May. Email: pedwards99@aol.com
Manchester Meeting at Waldorf, Gore St on Fri 18th May at 7pm Venue is close to the tram interchange at Piccadilly Gardens. Email: andy@firstwaycomputers.co.uk
Chelt/Glos/Ciren Weds 23rd May - 7:30pm Golden Heart pub, Nettleton on A417 leaving Gloucester for Cirencester. Email: bob_dick99@hotmail.com
Thames Valley Date: Thursday 24th May Time: 7:00 til late Place: The Ship, Wokingham Email: nevryn@azer.co.uk
Bristol Date: 15th June Venue: The Brewery Tap, Colston Street, Bristol Time: 8pm For more information contact nick@swordsman.co.uk
Susie Hughes (Head of Executive Services)
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The Editor