PCG Newsletter 11/05 - 17 June 2005

IN THIS ISSUE

• PCG takes Arctic S660A case to Court of Appeal.

• Guide to Section 660A updated.

• PCG celebrates success of first ISO9001 scheme for freelancers.

• Malcolm Gammie QC appointed CBE .

• Happy IR35 outcome for PCG member.

• Check your details at Companies House.

• Trade Association Forum website.

• Contract opportunities for members.

• Regional meetings.
  

PCG TAKES ARCTIC S660A CASE TO COURT OF APPEAL

PCG has announced that it will support Geoff Jones of Arctic Systems in taking his landmark Section 660A (S660A) case against HM Revenue and Customs to the Court of Appeal.

Announcing the decision to appeal, PCG chairman Simon Juden said, "We believe that this judgment undermines the self-assessment tax system by leaving a host of questions unanswered. It could affect hundreds of thousands of small family businesses who’ve shared the risk and hard work of running a business, expecting to share in the rewards."
"We are campaigning for clarity, consistency and common sense in regulation and legislation," Dr Juden said, "and are pleased to have the generous support of leading tax barrister James Kessler QC, who believes that family businesses are being put in an impossible situation."

"I would also like to extend my thanks to Malcolm Gammie QC, Anne Redston, Accountax, Berg Kaprow Lewis, FSB, JSA, PCG members and members of the public for supporting this appeal. We hope that others who share our concerns will show their support by donating to PCG’s legal fund."

GUIDE TO SECTION 660A UPDATED

Following the Arctic High Court judgment, PCG has revised its Guide to Section 660A for members. The updated version, available to download from the website, includes an appendix outlining the options available to family businesses and a list of factors that will help reduce the chances of an HM Customs and Revenue challenge.

SARA, the online risk analysis tool developed by PCG and Accountax to help freelance consultants and contractors understand their exposure to S660A, is to be modified extensively, and members are advised to use the software to reassess their risk based on prevailing circumstances.

PCG CELEBRATES SUCCESS OF FIRST ISO9001 SCHEME FOR FREELANCERS

Representatives from business organisations and standards bodies gathered at the Institute of Directors on Monday for the official launch of the PCG Quality Systems scheme and a celebration of its first successes. The event was hosted by PCG in association with its partners, BVQi, the independent certification body of Bureau Veritas, Qualsys and BQI Consulting.

Directors from the first four member businesses to achieve IS09001 certification through the PCG (QS) scheme presented their reasons for choosing to participate in the scheme and outlined the benefits that they expected their businesses to accrue from certification.

MALCOLM GAMMIE QC APPOINTED CBE

Malcolm Gammie QC, VAT Tribunals Chairman and Deputy Special Commissioner, has been appointed Commander of the Order of the British Empire, for services to tax policy. The appointment was announced in the Queen's Birthday Honours.

A leading tax barrister, Professor Gammie represented Geoff Jones of Arctic Systems at both his hearings, and will lead the legal team taking the case to the Court of Appeal. PCG congratulates him on his appointment.

HAPPY IR35 OUTCOME FOR PCG MEMBER

Having been the subject of an IR35 investigation for nearly two and a half years, PCG member Mark Bowen of Control IT Solutions was very pleased to receive a letter from HM Customs and Revenue confirming that his case was being closed and that there were no issues outstanding. "The advice I got from Accountax was invaluable," he says, "and the reassurance and support I received from PCG helped me to get through this very worrying couple of years, when my life was effectively on hold.

"Everyone I have spoken to has been friendly and nothing was too much trouble. Your organisation has acquired another fervent evangelist."

Over 800 IR35 cases have been settled in favour of PCG members to date, with just three losses.

CHECK YOUR DETAILS AT COMPANIES HOUSE

A member has reported a problem with unscrupulous people changing the addresses of companies at Companies House, and then applying for loans. It is worth checking your entry on the Companies House website regularly, in case your company is targeted.

TRADE ASSOCIATION FORUM WEBSITE

Since its formation in 1997, the Trade Association Forum has been encouraging the development and sharing of best practice among UK trade associations and promoting the role of effective trade associations to government, industry and the wider public.

As a member, PCG has the facility to publish its press releases and news stories on the Trade Association Forum website.

CONTRACT OPPORTUNITIES FOR MEMBERS

For information about the latest job, project, contract and work opportunities, see PCG's Commercial forum, and Members' Commercial forum. The Commercial forum may be accessed by Affiliate members, and PCG welcomes postings by agencies. If you are willing to have your commercial post published in the weekly newsletter, please include the words "newsletter OK".

Current opportunities include:

MOM consultants — South of England, North of England

Compaq field support engineer — London

PC support — Dublin

REGIONAL MEETINGS

Regional meetings - traditionally known on the forums as "RLMs" - encourage members to socialise, network and discuss PCG issues. These meetings are open to all members, and in many cases non-members are welcome to come along too.

Edinburgh — Tuesday 21 June 2005 19.00
Oxford bar, Edinburgh. Email enquiries to edinburgh@pcg.org.uk

Sheffield — Thursday 23 June 2005 19.30
The Old Queen's Head, by the bus station. Email enquiries to sheffield@pcg.org.uk

Thames Valley, Maidenhead, Reading — Wednesday 22 June 20.00
The Vine, 20 Market Street, Maidenhead. Email enquiries to thamesvalley@pcg.org.uk

Farnborough — Tuesday 28 June 2005 19.00
Prince of Wales, Farnborough. Email enquiries to farnborough@pcg.org.uk

London — Wednesday 29 June 2005 18.30
BoEngland Pub, Fleet Street, London.

Kent, Essex and surrounds — Monday 4 July 2005 19.30
Bluewater Regional Shopping Centre, Nr. Greenhithe, Kent (5 minutes from Dartford River Crossing / J31 of M25). Email enquiries to kentandessex@pcg.org.uk
Various members have also posted in the RLM forum about potential meetings in other areas. If you would like to attend regional meetings in any of these locations, please register your interest by posting to the relevant thread.

Disclaimer - caveat emptor - PCG carries very limited advertising only from known and reputable Affiliates and complementary organisations. Even so, publication of any advertisement carries no implicit or explicit endorsement by PCG.

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