PCG Newsletter - 9th Jan 2002 - 01/02 - IR35 Toolkit seminar

In this issue:

• PCG launches ‘IR35 Toolkit’ seminar
• Latest experience of IR ‘PAYE’ visits
• Lobbying – FTV strategy
  
• Lobbying – Westminster and Whitehall
  
• "e-clusters” survey – your help needed
  
• Real Life Meetings

PCG launches ‘IR35 Toolkit’ seminar
‘IR35 Toolkit’ Seminar – Deciding and defending status

PCG is pleased to announce we are holding a seminar in central London on 24th January to help members prepare for form P35. The seminar, “IR35 Toolkit – Deciding and defending status” will cover both sides of the P35 deadline, providing information for the status decision, and what can be done to avoid ‘ticking the box’. In addition, the expert panel of speakers will provide ample defence, based on case law and key insights into the workings of the Inland Revenue, for those who may need to defend their decision.

The event, also open to non-members, consists of formal presentations followed by a ‘question and answer’ session of the speakers. We plan to allow as much time as possible for you to ask questions. The keynote speakers are those proved to be such a great success at PCG’s last annual conference, after which, one member commented, “Just one of the speakers, Anne Redston, was worth the trip to York all on her own. Excellent stuff!”

The ‘IR35 Toolkit’ seminar is a chance for members to get the best possible independent advice from PCG ‘s expert advisory team including

· Kevin Miller, PCG finance director
· Ben Chaplin, Qdos tax consultant
· Dave Smith, Accountax Consulting and former IR inspector
· Anne Redston, partner Ernst & Young

Jane Akshar, PCG chair will also speak briefly on the way forward for PCG and the continuing efforts of the Group to represent members interests across a growing range of issues.

In the run up to last year’s P35, many contractors relied on their accountants for advice on status. For such a complex issue, it is better for members to gather information themselves to be able to make their own decisions. The 'IR35 Toolkit' seminar will cover:

Preparation for P35
- advice on completing the P35 form
- contract issues
- deciding status with certainty
- the key status issue of "Being in Business on your own account"

Defending your decision
- Understanding the IR approach
- Mechanics of an IR visit
- Independent interpretation of the Revenue's status manuals
- Understanding case law - and making it work for you
- Approaches to arguing a standard 'fail' letter
- Information for IR35 appeals

Bookings have already opened for places at the seminar and the reaction has been good. Places cost £85 for PCG members, and the seminar is open to non-members at £135 – we expect to increase membership with this incentive in place. Both ticket prices include VAT. Speakers note will be provided.

The seminar, organised for PCG by news website Shout99, is also being run for the benefit of accountants who provide advice to contractors and a large mail-shot has gone out to target this audience – again we hope to gain associate members. There will be two seminar sessions, starting at 2pm and 7pm with the afternoon session aimed at a mixed accountant and contractor audience, and the evening left free for contractors.

Summary of details and to make a booking:

PCG’s ‘IR35 Toolkit’ Seminar – Deciding and defending statusDate: Thursday 24th January Venue: New Connaught Rooms, London. See map: http://www.newconnaughtrooms.co.uk/find.htm
Two sessions, starting 2pm and 7pm.: The first is aimed at a mixed audience of accountants, agents and contractors. The evening session is aimed primarily at contractors.

Attendance for PCG Members and Associates is £85 incl VAT. Non-members pay £135. Bookings can be made online through the Shout99 system:- To book for the afternoon 2pm seminar http://www.shout99.com/contractors/conference.pl?conference=18 To book for the evening 7pm session http://www.shout99.com/contractors/conference.pl?conference=19 To book and pay by cheque use the downloadable pdf booking form: http://www.webtastic.co.uk/seminar_booking_01_2002.pdf

Please remember to indicate which session you wish to attend, afternoon or evening. Already bookings are rising steadily and since places offered on a first come, first served basis; and space is limited, we advise you not to leave it too late.

PCG has provided advice to members in recent newsletters on how members should handle any approach from the IR as a standard PAYE review. One member reports this week a meeting with an Inspector which focused immediately on IR35 status.
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=legal-46861&p;=1&v;=c&s;=5
NB The link above is for PCG members only – you must be correctly logged in to the forums – see info at end of newsletter.

Lobbying – FTV strategy

Philip Ross has posted a draft strategy paper for discussing PCG’s approach to the Fast Track visa issue in the lobbying forum. Members are welcome to contribute:
https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=lobby-26591&p;=0&v;=c&s;=5

Lobbying - Westminster and Whitehall

Susie Hughes has provided information for members on lobbying efforts into Westminster and Whitehall, and how these institutions work: https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/showpost.pl?f=lobby-26582&p;=0&v;=c&s;=5

“e-clusters” survey – your help needed

Prof Nigel Lockett of Lancaster Business School, who was involved with PCG's fringe meeting at the Labour conference, has asked for help with his research into eClusters. His research is looking at how SMEs work together in 'clusters' to access information and technology, such as ASPs. He sees parallels with the way PCG members use our forums for info eg. legal & accounting or Technical boards. A pdf background to the study is available: https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/members/resources/eCluster_survey_flier.pdf

We are looking for some PCG volunteers to complete this survey, covering e-business applications and engagements as well as 'trusted third party' info suppliers. The survey is available to download (Word doc) from: https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/members/resources/eCluster_survey.doc

Please email replies as an attachment to [email protected] or if easier, download, complete and post to: Nigel Lockett,
1 The Beeches,
Riverside,
Clapham,
Lancaster,
LA2 8DT.

MEMBERS RESOLUTIONS

PCG members can check details of the latest resolutions at https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/wwwthreads.pl?a=l&f;=resolutions

REGIONAL NEWS

Real Life Meetings For the latest information and to start a local group see https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/wwwthreads.pl?a=l&f;=meet

To promote your local meet through the newsletter – 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.

Basingstoke
* * * * * * *
Tuesday 8th January, 7:30pm Hogs Head (plus curry afterwards)
NOTE: Thames Valley meetings put back by one week.

Farnborough
* * * * * * *
Wednesday 16th January
Prince of Wales
Time: from 7:30

Glos/Wilts/Worcs
* * * * * * *
Time: 7.30
Date Wednesday 16th January
Venue: Golden Heart, Nettleton
Contact: Susie Haigh

Newcastle upon Tyne
* * * * * * *
Tuesday 22nd January
Venue: The next meeting will be in the Carriage pub (Archbold Terrace - 2 minutes from Jesmond Metro station)
Time: 7.30pm

Peterborough
* * * * * * *
Place :Paul Pry
Date : Wednesday 23rd January
Time : 8pm onwards

Herts
* * * * * * *
Date: Thursday 24th January 2002
Time: 7:30 pm onwards
Venue: The White Horse, Mill Lane, Welwyn Pete Coles - [email protected]

Please follow this link to Real Life meetings to get involved https://www.pcgroup.org.uk/threads/wwwthreads.pl?a=l&f;=meet

Mark Roderick
(PCG Executive Team)

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