PCG CALLS FOR SUPPORT TO FUND TAX APPEAL

PCG is calling for public support to fund its appeal against a recent case which has huge implications for tens of thousands of family businesses.

The S660 case, involving Geoff and Diana Jones and their company Arctic Systems, is regarded as a landmark in tax legislation and interpretation. It now appears that there is a growing body of expert opinion (registration required) which believes that the ruling which found in favour of the Inland Revenue is in fact invalid.

PCG chairman Simon Juden said, "We believe we have a very strong case for appealing against this decision and certainly the view of many accounting and legal experts is that the casting vote should be considered separately from the case itself, and that the reasons for the exercise of the casting vote should be given."

Despite agreeing that this is a test case, and having been made aware of the problem with the casting vote, the Inland Revenue has refused to assist the Joneses. "It's frankly staggering that the Revenue can take this view," said Simon, "when it is absolutely clear that the implications for hundreds of thousands of people are going to be enormous."

"PCG support of recent cases has left the legal fund at a low point," he continued, " and we need more money to allow us to support a High Court appeal of the Joneses' case. We are appealing to members of the public, family businesses, small business owners, business organisations, accounting firms and other parties who share our outrage at this ludicrous decision to show their support by donating to the legal fund.

"PCG's case law strategy seeks not only to provide support for members, but also to help clarify tax and employment status law, secure a fairer tax regime and ensure a degree of certainty and simplicity for business owners throughout the UK who have to assess their own tax liablities."

How to donate

Donations to the legal fund will be used for this and other cases supported by PCG and should be made payable to "Professional Contractors Group Ltd" and sent to Legal Department, Professional Contractors Group Ltd, Sovereign Court, 635 Sipson Road, West Drayton UB7 0JE. Please email [email protected] or telephone 0845 125 9899 if you wish to send your donation via BACS.

AGM SATURDAY 20 NOVEMBER 2004

The PCG annual general meeting will be held at 16:00 on Saturday 20 November in London, and all members have been sent a formal notification by email.

Members attending the AGM are welcome to stay on for an evening meal with directors and members of the Consultative Committee. Members are required to pay their own costs, and if you would like to attend, please email [email protected] no later than 17:00 on Monday 15 November 2004. Venue details will be provided at the AGM.

NEW NAME FOR PCG QUALITY SCHEME

Following the decision to change the name of "QAIC", members were invited to participate in a brainstorm and the name of PCG QS, for Quality System, has been chosen.

The board would like to thank all those members who participated in the vigorous debate. PCG director Richard Robson said, "The 9001 debate in particular was fascinating and provided some useful arguments for and against, but ultimately the board decided that it might be too limiting; PCG QS is about rather more than just ISO9000/1. This exciting project is now well and truly under way and I am looking forward to a meeting with the beta group this week."

AFFILIATE SJD WINS ACCOUNTANCY AGE AWARD

PCG Affiliate member SJD Accountancy has won the 'Small Firm of the Year' in the Accountancy Age Awards for Excellence 2004, sponsored by Sage. These awards are the most prestigious in the profession and recognise significant contribution to practice development and client service levels.

Managing Partner Simon Dolan said, "I am delighted that our firm has been recognised as one of the best in the country. We are constantly striving to lead the field in client services and innovation and this accolade is a tribute to the whole team who work so hard for our clients."

The awards ceremony, hosted by Rory Bremner, took place on Wednesday evening at the Battersea Park Arena, London, and was attended by over 800 guests from all areas of the accountancy profession.

PCG chairman Simon Juden said, "We would like to extend our heartiest congratulations to SJD for winning this prestigious award."

PCG's marketing and administration team moved offices at the end of October and the new address and contact details are:

Professional Contractors Group Ltd
Sovereign Court
635 Sipson Road
West Drayton
UB7 0JE

Tel: 0845 125 9899
Fax: 0845 644 4105

COMMERCIAL FORUM PROJECT POSTINGS

For information about the latest job, project, contract and work opportunities, see PCG's Commercial forum, and Members' Commercial forum. The Commercial forum may be accessed by Affiliate members, and PCG welcomes postings by agencies.

This week's postings include:

Conversion of spreadsheet into program

Associates wanted

Business objects developer - Manchester

MIS Analyst/Developer - central London

REAL LIFE MEETINGS

Local real life meetings - known on the forums as "RLMs" - encourage members to socialise, network and discuss PCG issues. These meetings are open to all members, and in many cases non-members are welcome to come along too.

Chelmsford - Tuesday 16 November 2004 19:45
Anglia Polytechnic University at Chelmsford, "Freelancing - the State of Play Today" with PCG director Richard Robson. Joint meeting of the BCS South Essex Branch, the BCS Independent Computer Contractors group (ICC) and PCG. Plenty of opportunity for networking before and afterwards.

London - Wednesday 17 November 2004
Hamilton Hall Wetherspoon's by Liverpool Street

Farnborough - Tuesday 23 November 2004 19:00
Prince of Wales, Farnborough

Sheffield - Wednesday 1 December 2004 19:30
Old Queen's Head opposite main railway station, Sheffield

Thames Valley/Maidenhead: - Wednesday 1 December 2004
Venue to be agreed

Various members have also posted in the RLM forum about potential meetings in:
Basel, Bristol, Norwich, Shropshire, Swindon and Winchester or Southampton. If you would like to attend RLMs in any of these areas, please register your interest by posting to the relevant thread.

OTHER EVENTS

BEX - Business Enterprise Xchange - Manchester 17 and 18 November 2004
The BEX Exhibition and Conference is the ideal chance to network with owners, managers, and directors of North West businesses. BEX is a free two-day exhibition and conference, showcasing the best ideas and practices for SMEs and growing businesses. There are over 80 exhibitors and 35 speakers at BEX 2004, and places are going fast. To be assured of a place, please register on the website

If you have any queries, please contact Out There Events on 0161 244 5825 or email [email protected]

AICS AGM and Conference - London, Saturday 27 November 2004
The Association of Independent Computer Specialists (AICS) will be holding its AGM and Conference at The East India Club, St. James', London on Saturday 27 November. The conference should be of particular interest to both ICT and non-ICT people.

Accountax Construction Industry Seminars - November 2004
PCG Affiliate member Accountax Consulting is running a series of practical two-and-a-half-hour seminars for construction industry contractors.They will cover the latest Revenue attack on tax status, how to defend self-employed status, your rights and obligations when challenged, how to guarantee that your subcontractors are self-employed, holiday pay issues and problems with CIS certificates and how to appeal refusals. For full details of dates, venues and fees, and to book your place, visit the Accountax website.

Disclaimer - caveat emptor - PCG carries very limited advertising only from known and reputable Affiliates and complementary organisations. Even so, publication of any advertisement carries no implicit or explicit endorsement by PCG.

Telephone: 0845 125 9899
Fax: 0845 644 4105

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