PCG takes the initiative
with new web site dedicated to IR591
Following the Government's announcement on Wednesday of "specific
proposals ... to ensure that the right amount of tax is paid
by owner managers of small incorporated businesses on the
profits extracted from their company," PCG has developed
a new web site dedicated to the issue. The new web site is
at http://www.ir591.org.uk.
The proposed measures were outlined in paragraph 5.91 of
the Pre-Budget Report 2003, in a chapter entitled "Building
a Fairer Society", hence the coining of the term "IR591"
for the time being.
PCG aims to be at the forefront of the impending consultation
on IR591, representing the freelance small business community.
It has seized the initiative by registering a new domain name
and developing a web site designed to be the focal point for
information, advice, activity and discussion on IR591 within
the freelance small business community.
We welcome the participation of other groups in this initiative,
if you represent such a group and share our concerns then
please email [email protected]
to register your interest.
Office Hours over the Christmas/New Year Period
The PCG offices in Uxbridge will be closed from 5pm 23 Dec
03 until 9am on 5 Jan 04. However, emails to [email protected]
will be checked and dealt with daily and there will be a contact
mobile tel no left on the answer phone for any urgent queries.
Legal Helpline
The legal helpline support will be closed on the Christmas
and New Year public holidays, On Christmas Eve and New Year's
Eve, the hours will be 8am - 2pm. Normal office hours will
be in force aside from the above.
Tax Helpline
The tax helpline will be closed on the Christmas and New
Year public holidays. On Christmas Eve it will be manned until
1pm. Normal office hours will be in force aside from the above.
CSI Insolvency
Rumours abound following the insolvency of the agency Chamberlain
Scott (CSI). We are concerned that this insolvency and the
apparent restructuring that took place immediately afterwards
may expose contractors to financial risk. If you are a PCG
member currently contracted to Chamberlain Scott, CSI, Chamberlain
Scott (UK) or any other derivative of this multi-national
agency you may like contact [email protected]
so that we can ensure that we are able to communicate any
news as we receive it.
Inland Revenue backs down over Fortissimo case after
20 month battle
The Inland Revenue has decided to withdraw from its IR35
case against Ian Buckley, PCG member and director of Fortissimo
Software Ltd, based in Warrington. After 20 months of wrangling,
it wrote to Accountax on 2 December 2003 advising that, "After
further consideration of your client's appeal ……
it has been decided not to proceed with the case before the
Special Commissioners." No reasons were given for reversing
its previous decision.
See Latest News http://www.pcg.org.uk/LatestNews/10082.html.
PCG taking on the taxman for husband and wife business,
Arctic Systems
On Tuesday 9 December 2003, PCG announced that it would be
taking on the taxman at the Special Commissioners of Income
Tax in the New Year, with a case that could have massive implications
for thousands of husband and wife businesses. The case is
that of PCG member Geoff Jones and his wife Diana, who run
a small IT consulting business, Arctic Systems, and concerns
Section 660A.
See Latest News http://www.pcg.org.uk/LatestNews/10080.html.
Freelancer Road Show Survey
PCG is considering proposals to organise a series of regional
road shows during 2004.
The break out sessions at the Annual Conference in October
were very well attended, and the post-conference survey indicated
that 88% of respondents thought that freelancer road shows
would be a good idea in principle.
Before making definitive plans and commitments about the
format, length and content of these road shows, we believe
it important to canvass the views of PCG members. We would
therefore appreciate your sparing a few minutes of your time
to answer this survey: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s.asp?u=34841327493.
Your feedback is valuable to us, and your identity will remain
anonymous.
The survey software that we are using requires you to have
cookies enabled in your browser, for the sole purpose of ensuring
that we receive one response only per respondent. This survey
has been set up such that your identity will NOT be tracked,
by email address, by name or in any other way. We respect
your right to privacy, and will always state clearly whether
your response to such a survey is anonymous or not.
Nat West Bank Online Scam
Some internet users have recently received a fraudulent email
claiming to be from Nat West and asking customers to reactivate
their online account access by entering their Nat West On
Line Banking security details in full.
Nat West would never ask customers to provide this type of
information by email so please be on your guard against emails
that request any of your security details. If you receive
an email like this you should not respond, and should contact
the Nat West Bank Helpdesk immediately.
Route 35 Policy Document
The R35 Policy Document is now on the R35 website and can
be accessed via the link below, for all those members who
have renewed their R35 policy since 1 Aug 03.
http://www.pcgroute35.org.uk/cgi-bin/R35-Policy.pl
Please note that you should not need to enter the full company
name, the first name should suffice to bring the policy up
for you and display all the relevant details to a allow you
to print the policy document.
Real Life Meetings
Xmas Central London Chapter
You are hereby invited to the Christmas Imbibement of the
Central London Chapter of the Professional Contractors Group
Date: 17th December 2003
Locaton: Rising Sun Public House, Tottenham Court Road
Time: From 18:00
Dress: Optional
Whereas it has been brought to our attention that the season
is drawing near and whereas many of you are known to be in
embarrassing circumstances, it is declared that suitable cases
will be imbibed at their colleagues' expense on provision
of a 'good story'. No food venue is proposed at this time,
although we reserve the right to do so at a later date.
Be there, or not.
Forum Discussion:
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-6888&p=0&v=c&s=5
Contact: mhillson (Martin Hillson)
Glos/Wilts/Worcs
Next meeting Wednesday 17th December Golden Heart, Nettleton
8 p.m. Anyone who wants directions please send private.
See you there.
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-6924&p=0&v=c&s=5
Contact: Susie Haigh (Haigh)
Edinburgh - 13 Jan 04
Bert's Bar in Williams Street in Edinburgh has confirmed the
booking of the Snug Bar for the 18:00 on the 13th January
2004. So assuming we've all sobered up in time to get there,
this is where we can get a refill.
Wishing you all a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year
when it comes.
John Ferguson (john_ferguson)
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-6917&p=0&v=c&s=5
28 January "Getting to the Decision Makers"
AICS, London
Wednesday 28th January 2004, 7pm
National Liberal Club, 1 Whitehall Place, London SW1
Getting to the Decision Makers
Guest Speaker - David Festenstein, Teleopen Limited
Presented by The Association of Independent Computer Specialists
Members £12.50+vat Guests & Visitors £17.50+vat
to include finger-buffet, wine and great networking opportunity.
NB Gentlemen - the dress code at the NLC is jacket and tie.
Please book your place(s) early by e-mailing [email protected].
For further information about the AICS please visit www.aics.org.uk
Forum Discussion:
http://www.pcg.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=meet-6915&p=0&v=c&s=5
Contact: ashmele (John Ashmele)
Disclaimer - caveat emptor - PCG carries only very limited
advertising from known and reputable Affiliates, even so publication
of any advertisement carries no implicit or explicit endorsement
by PCG!
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