IR35 nudge letters sent to GSK contractors

HMRC has written to about 1 500 contractors who are or have been working for GlaxoSmithKline through a personal service company (PSC). The letter states: ‘It is our view that the contract between your PSC and GlaxoSmithKline (GSK) comes under the off-payroll working rules [IR35].’

David Harmer tax consultancy manager at Markel Tax said: ‘This is not the first time HMRC has undertaken a targeted campaign of this type – we have seen an increase in this “one to many” letter approach in the last few years. This is a tactic designed to “nudge” taxpayers to review their tax position and make them feel that they are under the spotlight even though these letters are absolutely not the start of an HMRC investigation.