Update on UKTECH seminar tour
UKTECH began its series of UK seminars 'Opportunities from change in the contracting market' in Southampton this week, before rolling them out in six venues around the country during the next two weeks.
The initial feed-back was positive from the contractors, accountants and agents who attended the afternoon and evening events.
Contractors, in particular, found the practical advice from the ex-Inland Revenue inspectors a useful insight into the uncharted waters of 'dealing with the Revenue'. Their advice, coupled with the presentation on how to run a business - and demonstrate the fact satisfactorily - clearly identified how to reduce the risks of falling foul of IR35, and, most significantly, to reduce the risk of penalties from the IR as a result of these decisions.
Consequently, much of the initial feed-back from contractors was that they felt better-equipped to take control of the decisions which affected their businesses and were prepared to evaluate and act on the potential risks and rewards from arranging their businesses to fall outside IR35.
Other relevant issues which emerged during the presentations and the lengthy question and answer session were:
1. how to minimise the risk of penalties;
2. the relevance - or not - of the back-to-back contracts;
3. incorrect advice from some accountants;
4. team-working and building;
5. mutuality of obligation;
6. recent relevant case law and legal decisions;
7. the relevance - or not - of contract length and multiple income streams.
The main presentations were from: Kevin Miller, PCG's Finance Director; Tony Askham, an employment law specialist from Bond Pearce and PCG's judicial review solicitor; and Andy White, PCG founder and UKTECH editor who gave the benefit of his personal experience of setting up and running several large, successful enterprises.
The speakers were joined by two ex-Inland Revenue tax inspectors who now work for Qdos and Accountax and who were able to bring an informative 'poacher-turned gamekeeper' approach to the question and answer.
The seminars will take place at 2pm and 7pm at the following venues:
Tuesday, May 8, 2001 - Aberdeen, Hilton Treetops;
Wednesday, May 9, 2001 - Edinburgh, Sheraton Grand Hotel;
Thursday, May 10, 2001 - Huddersfield, Hilton Hotel;
Monday, May 14, 2001 - Reading, Wokefield Executive Centre;
Tuesday, May 15, 2001 - Birmingham, Posthouse Birmingham City;
Wednesday, May 16, 2001 - Stansted, Hilton London Stansted Airport.
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The Editor