HMRC names and shames tax avoidance umbrella scheme, yet contractors left to pick up the pieces
The HMRC may be urging customers to leave another tax avoidance scheme promoted by an umbrella company, but there’s no talk yet of making the London-based firm pay up. It seems the contractors that fell into the scheme may have to do that.
Another tax avoidance scheme has been exposed by HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) this week “to help ensure customers do not end up with large tax bills.” And yet again, a so-called “accredited” umbrella company seems to have fallen foul of best practices.
Individuals using a tax avoidance scheme provided by Peak PAYE Ltd are urged to withdraw from it and to contact HMRC as soon as possible, said HMRC in a statement.
Peak PAYE’s website says it is accredited through the IFCP and even has the IFCP logo published throughout its site. Yet, who exactly is the IFCP and who runs it? When you go to the IFCP site, many of the links are broken. These “accreditation” memberships are an example of how tax avoidance schemes trick contractors into joining them as professional and legitimate umbrella companies. But worryingly, recruiters will give contractors no choice but to sign up to an umbrella company if they want to get the job.
This latest publication of a tax avoidance scheme promoter comes after HMRC recently used new powers for the first time as part of its Don’t Get Caught Out campaign.
The named tax avoidance promoter is Peak PAYE Ltd, of 86-90 Paul Street, London, EC2A 4NE.
By paying contractors National Minimum Wage, and then paying the remainder of the contractors’ wage disguised as a financial option or as a salary advance, this promoter promised its users that they can avoid paying National Insurance and Income Tax.
Mary Aiston, HMRC’s Director of Counter Avoidance, said:
Tax avoidance schemes are advertised as clever ways to pay less tax when in reality, they rarely work as the promoters promise, and it is the users that end up with big tax bills.
Naming tax avoidance promoters is one of the many steps we are taking to disrupt and drive scheme promoters out of business. We want to help ensure customers do not get caught out by tax avoidance.
HMRC has now published the details of 3 tax avoidance schemes and their promoters and will continue to add to this list in the coming months. This is not a complete list of all tax avoidance schemes currently being marketed or a complete list of all promoters, enablers, and suppliers. HMRC recommends steering clear of all avoidance schemes.
This is not the only way HMRC is ensuring customers do not get caught out by tax avoidance. HMRC also recently secured wins in 2 separate tribunal cases against the tax avoidance firm AML Tax (UK) Ltd, part of the Knox Group. AML Tax (UK) Ltd was successfully challenged over its refusal to provide details of 3 avoidance schemes, which follows a £150,000 fine for not providing HMRC with required information.
While one tribunal said that evidence provided by director Arthur Lancaster was ‘inconsistent with the documentary evidence’ and ‘disingenuous’, both lower-tier tribunals ruled AML Tax (UK) Ltd should have disclosed the details of 3 tax avoidance schemes they promoted, and they could not appeal these decisions.
Customers who believe that they are involved in a tax avoidance scheme are advised to contact HMRC by calling 03000 534 226. HMRC is also urging customers who have been encouraged to get into a tax avoidance scheme or have come into contact with someone selling tax avoidance schemes to report these to HMRC.