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19th February, 2001 - Contract Review Services

Online Contract Review service
The new contract review system and on-line status questionnaire is now available.

The on-line system has major advantages to members; it offers a speedy, informed and independent view as to the status of your contract and your overall business under IR35. Use the web based questionnaire to obtain instant feedback whenever you need it - the aim of the questionnaire is to reflect the approach a status inspector will take carrying out an investigation and covers both your general business background and history and the specific contract in question. The system then links to a simple way of choosing and obtaining a PCG Approved contract reviewer (from the team of retained legal and financial advisors) if you decide that you want a firm expert opinion on your status.

Over time, the CRS will also provide a data bank of (anonymous) case studies that PCG can use in future to better understand what contracts pass or fail and to identify possible cases where it may be useful to press for a formal opinion from the Revenue and, if necessary, mount an appeal.

A full introduction, user guidance notes and FAQs are all available to help first time users of the system.

Forum Link (having problems?? have you read this...)

IT millionaire slams IR35
The PCG applauded the action of Ronald Duncan, an entrepreneurial businessman, who has written to the Prime Minister to explain that he could never had grown his businesses had the stealth tax IR35 been in force when he started out in business as a contractor. A copy of Ronald's letter to the PM is available on his website:

http://www.software.plc.uk/letter/

Write to your MP
IR35 received lots of press coverage during the last week. Chairman Gareth Williams is urging all PCG members to write to their MPs to maintain the pre-election pressure on all parties.

Forum Link (having problems?? have you read this...)

A briefing document, sample letter and the newly updated MP database:

Here

Paymaster General goes AWOL
Many PCG and FSB members were disappointed that Dawn Primarolo, Paymaster General failed to show at a local meeting of the Federation�s Bristol branch. Blaming a �more pressing engagement� Ms Primarolo sent a Labour candidate as her �substitute�. Full story:

Forum Link and Forum Link (having problems?? have you read this...)

Committee minutes
Minutes of the recent Committee meeting are posted:

Forum Link (having problems?? have you read this...)

CC Elections
This Wednesday (28th) is the last opportunity for members to nominate themselves as a candidate for the full CC elections. If you are considering standing, you should register your manifesto now to be considered. Full voting starts this week.

Here

REGIONAL NEWS

Interest in the regional events is really picking up. For the latest information and to start a meet yourself see

Forum Link (having problems?? have you read this...)

Let us promote your local meet - email [email protected] with REGIONS in the subject matter, details of the event and a name and email contact point/or phone number for further information.

Peterborough
All invited to the Paul Pry pub on the A15 on Wednesday 28th February from 8pm. Contact Steve Allan [email protected]

Central London
On the same day the City chapter in London will be visiting Dirty Dicks, Bishopsgate (opposite Liverpool Street Station) from around 6pm on Wednesday, 28th February. The CLC �welcomed heartily� several new recruits at the last session. As usual the discussions will be informal. Contact is Susie Hughes [email protected]

Milton Keynes
Everyone from the area is invited to meet next week Tuesday 6th March at The Plough in Stony Stratford (bottom of the High St). Contact James Lowe for details [email protected]

PCG Shop
PCG badges - which can help with identification problems at regional meetings � and PCG T-shirts are available from the PCG Shop.

Susie Hughes
(Head of Executive Services)

This newsletter is published by the Professional Contractors Group. Please feel free to circulate the newsletter to other independent contractors who you know, and who may be interested in joining the PCG. Some links in the newsletter will take you into the password-protected members' area of the PCG website. If you have forgotten your password, contact https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/scripts/public/access/form.pl

To view the Forum links in this newsletter, you must be first logged into the Forum. Further details available at https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/members/discussion_forum.html