Your HR Partner 
Employment law changes take place in the UK in April and November.
In April 2021 the Government is changing the rules on IR35. IR35 is a set of complex rules that affect an individual’s Tax and National Insurance Contributions (NICs) if he or she is contracted to work through an intermediary. Its’ stated aim is to prevent workers using limited companies, through which they effectively work as employees, without paying the relevant Tax. In the eyes of HMRC those who do supply services through an intermediary should be classed under IR35 as ‘disguised employees’ and taxed in the same way as general employees – by making the appropriate PAYE and NIC payments. IR35 does not cover individuals that are genuinely self-employed.
When assessing whether IR35 rules should apply, HMRC assess both Contracts and working practices. They also consider tests such as control, mutuality of obligation and personal service, as well as the ability to provide a substitute to provide services. An employee would provide the services personally.
The IR35 changes have been delayed since April 2020 due to Covid-19. Under the new rules, where workers are engaged through their own companies, responsibility to apply IR35 and to pay any associated Tax and NICs will fall to the private company or other third party paying the worker’s company.
To be eligible for IR35 obligations, an organisation must meet at least two of the below criteria:
- have over 50 employees
- have a net turnover in excess of £10.2m
- have over £5.1m on their balance sheet.