For anybody interested and can be bothered to do anything here is a draft letter from the IPSE contractor website. just copy and paste it
_ _ MP
House of Commons
London SW1A 0AA
_ August 2015
Dear Mr/Ms _
The summer Budget contained measures that are of great concern to me, and many other independent professionals that work through their own limited company. These revolve around IR35, changes to the taxation of dividends and restrictions on travel and subsistence allowances.
IR35 is anathema to many of us who work through our own limited company. The rules are difficult to understand and you can never be sure if your engagements are caught or not, making it almost impossible to comply. The House of Lords Select Committee on Personal Service Companies was scathing in its criticism of these rules last year and there was some hope we might be able to do away with IR35 altogether and find a more straightforward means to tackle disguised employment.
It is therefore disappointing that the government appears to want to strengthen the IR35 legislation and make it ‘more effective’. IR35 has been widely criticised, not least by a Conservative opposition when it was first introduced. I am concerned that tinkering around with a system that many lost faith in years ago will heap more unnecessary burden on businesses like mine.
Changes to the taxation of closed company dividends will also hit my business. The 7.5% increase is significant and will reduce the incentive to be in business for many, and is nothing more than a tax on entrepreneurship.
Finally the proposed restriction on travel and subsistence allowances will be devastating for my business and my clients. I frequently incur large bills when travelling and staying close to my client’s premises. I simply will not be able to take on these contracts, and perform the functions my clients need, if my ability to claim relief on these expenses is curtailed.
The proposal will also put businesses like mine at a huge competitive disadvantage to very large firms. While large businesses (EY, KPMG etc) will still be able to claim expenses, consultants working through their own company will not. For these very small businesses, a contract with a client several miles away from their base will no longer be a viable option.
UK companies, particularly in sectors such as banking and IT, rely on independent professionals to provide expertise on a flexible basis. We must make sure that any measures do not unfairly penalise them. There is a tipping point when it no longer makes sense to contract and we seem to be moving ever closer to this situation.
Yours sincerely