HMRC publishes secondary draft legislation for off-payroll reforms

HMRC has now published draft secondary legislation for the off-payroll working rules that are due to come into force in April this year.

In 2017, HMRC introduced new off-payroll rules to the public sector, which saw some contractors’ net income cut significantly. HMRC also shifted the responsibility for compliance from individual contractors to public bodies or recruitment agencies.

From 6 April 2020, the new tax rules will use the 2017 changes as a starting point for the extension to medium and large organisations in the private sector. These reforms will shift the responsibility for assessing employment status to the medium and large organisations employing the individuals.

The new draft legislation, open for consultation until 19 February 2020, includes details on how the government plans to operate the transfer of debt obligations. 

Earlier this year the government launched a review of the upcoming changes, although it has now been limited in scope.

Jesse Norman, the Financial Secretary to the Treasury, said: ‘We recognise that concerns have been raised about the forthcoming reforms to the off-payroll working rules. The purpose of this consultation is to make sure that the implementation of these changes in April is as smooth as possible.’