Efficiency

Freelancer election manifesto looks to strip HMRC of policy making powers

A freelancer election manifesto from the UK’s largest independent professionals organisation has demanded a reformed taxation system for sole traders, taking away HMRC’s legislative powers and creating a bespoke freelance tax model.

In its A Contract with the Self-Employed? document, the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE) announcedproposals that would see HMRC strictly focused on enforcement, revenue collection and support.

IPSE stated HMRC’s role in developing taxation policy was inappropriate, and should be controlled strictly by the Treasury.

Detailing further proposals, the organisation outlined a new tier in the tax system Freelancer Limited Company (FLC) that would clarify the tax and employment status of independent professionals and protect government revenue.

The organisation also called for the incoming government to commit to the current rate of Class 4 National Insurance Contributions (NICs). IPSE stated the favourable rate was recognition of the risks of self-employment, and considered the absence of workplace security.

Under IPSE’s plans, a further delay to Making Tax Digital would see the initiative pushed back to at least 2025. Small firms under the VAT threshold would be initially exempt, while quarterly tax returns would be scrapped for annual submissions.

Commenting on the freelancer election manifesto, Chris Bryce, IPSE chief executive, said Britain’s current tax system reflected the traditional employer/employee model and was unfavourable to the self-employed workforce.

as self-employment booms, the government needs to supplement this 21st century way of working with a fairer, more efficient, 21st century tax system, he said in a statement.

Recent IR35 reforms put a further administrative burden onto public sector contractors and agencies, and IPSE advised incoming minsters to adopt a damage control? approach and protect public sector projects from being abandoned.

Bryce championed the success of IPSE’s previous freelancer election manifestos in influencing government policy.

The organisation set out the first proposals for the incoming small business commissioner, and applied significant pressure that contributed to scrapping chancellor Philip Hammond’s NIC rises for sole traders.