For immediate release: Wednesday 10 March 2004

PCG announces IR35 payback scheme for freelance members

---BEGINS---

PCG and Accountax have developed a scheme that will enable many freelancers who have paid up under IR35 to claim back their tax paid.

Announcing the scheme, PCG�s legal director Dr Simon Juden said, �We believe that many freelancers paid up under IR35 without actually recognising that their terms of engagement with agencies and clients qualified them as being outside IR35. Based on our research, which shows that some 20% of PCG members have at some time paid up under IR35, the amounts involved could be considerable � at least hundreds of thousands of pounds.�

The scheme is available to PCG members who have paid up at any time since the inception of IR35 in April 2000 and who have paid �deemed salaries� in excess of �30,000 under IR35.

Commenting on the scheme, Dave Smith of Accountax said �We are recognised as having a successful, proactive and assertive approach in dealing with these issues. We are ideally suited to helping PCG members recoup taxes paid out in error.�

The first 50 freelancers accepted on to the scheme will receive �1,000 of their repayment immediately by way of a cheque from Accountax in advance of repayment by the Revenue � and will keep it even if the Revenue eventually wins the case.

Benefits of the new scheme:

• No win, no fee: there is no risk in applying for the scheme, since fees are taken only after tax has successfully been recouped from the Revenue, and 50 freelancers will be �1,000 better off, irrespective of the outcome.
  
• Accountax will defend any Revenue enquiries up to and including the Special Commissioners. Accountax remains the only firm of tax consultants to have won IR35 cases at the Special Commissioners.
  
• All returns of tax and national insurance are guaranteed against subsequent Revenue challenge for six years: Accountax will handle those queries and if necessary defend the case at the Special Commissioners of Income Tax without further professional fees being charged. Even in the unlikely event of such a challenge being successful, the freelancer would be indemnified under the scheme and so could keep all moneys refunded.

---ENDS---

---NOTES TO EDITORS---

About PCG

The Professional Contractors Group (PCG) was formed in May 1999 to lobby against the Government's IR35 proposals. It has since evolved from operating as a single issue group to being a fully-fledged trade association dedicated to protecting and promoting the interests of the freelance community � irrespective of industry focus.

PCG's aim is to work for proper recognition of independent freelancers as a genuine and valuable sector of the economy, generating wealth and employment, providing industry with a flexible workforce. PCG is a not-for-profit organisation run by freelancers for freelancers, and is committed to promoting members commercially and supporting their development. PCG now represents some 11,500 freelance businesses that pay an annual membership subscription.

For further information: http://www.pcg.org.uk

About Accountax

Accountax is a firm of tax consultants, based in Milton Keynes, and run by four former Tax and National Insurance inspectors. Its range of services includes negotiations and dispute resolution with the Inland Revenue and Contributions Agency, representation at tax meetings and General Commissioners� appeals, self-employed/employed health checks for freelance contractors on status and IR35, PAYE/NIC compliance advice, confidential advice and written reports on tax and NIC problems and disputes, including Self Assessment enquiries, capital allowances, CGT and technical problems. Accountax is a PCG Affiliate member and has a track record of winning 111 cases for PCG members to date, and losing none.

For further information: http://www.accountax-ltd.com

---CONTACT---

Lindsay Baugh: +44 (07736) 246 697 or +44 (01707) 392 552
Email: This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it

Professional Contractors Group Limited
Lakeside House, 1 Furzeground Way
Stockley Park East
Uxbridge
UB11 1BD

Telephone: +44 (0845) 125 9899
Fax: +44 (020) 8622 3200