HMRC to issue fines to stop freelancers being exploited

HMRC has announced that it is creating a specialist team to examine working practices at businesses that use freelance employees in effectively full-time roles without offering any of the associated benefits, to gain a tax advantage by not having to pay employer national insurance contributions. HMRC warn that if any companies are found to be in breach of existing laws they could be fined up to 100% of the tax owed.