HMRC invites APSCo to join IR35 Forum

Date: 25th May 2011

Small business owners and UK contractors concerned about the future of the controversial IR35 tax legislation could be among those encouraged by a recent move from HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC).

The organisation has invited the Association of Professional Staffing Companies (APSCo) to join its newly-formed IR35 Forum.

For the last 11 years, the APSCo has worked tirelessly to highlight a range of issues surrounding IR35 in order to improve working conditions for recruitment firms and contractors.

Ann Swain, chief executive of APSCo, said: "As the industry body that represents recruitment firms that engage a high proportion of self-employed individuals in the UK, it is important that we take a front seat in these discussions.

"The government has taken the view that as far as IR35 is concerned it's better the devil you know. Some of the alternative proposals were unsatisfactory, but with the decision taken to retain IR35 it's important that steps are taken to drastically improve the implementation of this law."

Posted by Thomas Fletcher