- Jo Faragher
A recruitment industry supplier has launched an online questionnaire to help agencies check the compliance credentials of their umbrella providers.
Payroll provider RACS Group has created the site in response to increased publicity surrounding offshore entities and the potential risk to agencies of ‘debt transfer’ from HMRC.
The site is intended as an initial starting point to encourage agencies to get to know the true status of their providers.
RACS Group said that, over recent months, it has become increasingly aware that many agencies simply do not fully understand the full implications of using a non-compliant umbrella and, in some cases, are unsure of the right questions to ask.
Last month, RA Now reported how HMRC has launched a consultation into closing the tax loophole that allows companies to hire UK staff through an offshore intermediary in order to avoid paying tax and national insurance contributions (NICs).
The outcome of the consultation could have a major impact on temp workers who use umbrella companies that use an offshore intermediary, so it’s important to be clear on where their tax liabilities lie. Askyourumbrella.com can be found here.