Agency worker PSC Limited company

agencychef

I am starting this as a new thread as suggested, so will paraphrase what has been covered.

I am an agency worker, paid via a payroll company where I am a PSC of a Limited company. I am a director and the only employee. I pay tax and NI on a PAYE basis (weekly)

The payroll company refuse to help, my agency are sympathetic but are unable to help. My wife is a student nurse (low pay) who is working on the front line. I can get no UC

All the information I can find says I should be entitled to help as I am PAYE but I am unable to persuade the accountants to furlough me so that I am able to access the scheme.

I have a payroll number according to HMRC and am employed by my own company.

My agency have suggested today that I may be entitled via the furlough scheme but it is the responsibility of the accountants (payroll company) to furlough.

Any help would be appreciated.

DavidT67

Yes, current Govt advice is that you as director of a Ltd. Co. can furlough yourself as an employee. 

If you accountant administer the payroll for you, contact them and find out where they are with understanding how to implement the grant process.

They won't be able to make actual salary payments, unless you have a cash reserve within your Ltd. Co., but they could process the PAYE and then make payments once reimbursed by HMRC, although depending on your salary levels you may need to fund the NI and Income tax payable to HMRC before your Ltd. Co. receives reimbursement.

At the end of the day it's your Ltd. Co. and your responsibility to figure out how to get through the current situation. 

sliphi

agencychef said:

I am starting this as a new thread as suggested, so will paraphrase what has been covered.

I am an agency worker, paid via a payroll company where I am a PSC of a Limited company. I am a director and the only employee. I pay tax and NI on a PAYE basis (weekly)

The payroll company refuse to help, my agency are sympathetic but are unable to help. My wife is a student nurse (low pay) who is working on the front line. I can get no UC

All the information I can find says I should be entitled to help as I am PAYE but I am unable to persuade the accountants to furlough me so that I am able to access the scheme.

I have a payroll number according to HMRC and am employed by my own company.

My agency have suggested today that I may be entitled via the furlough scheme but it is the responsibility of the accountants (payroll company) to furlough.

Any help would be appreciated.

Your company. Your contract. Dismiss them if they are not providing the service you want and expect from them.

Either appoint a new payroll service or, better still, plenty of free HMRC approved software out there where you can do payroll yourself, rather than pay someone else - especially at a time when you've got nothing else to do.

Edited to add:
Actually, you probably don't need to dismiss them, (but I would just because you are paying them and they are not offering you the support and service you expect)

Whilst all the details have not yet been established, official guidance says to claim, all you need is:

• your ePAYE reference number
• the number of employees being furloughed
• the claim period (start and end date)
• amount claimed (per the minimum length of furloughing of 3 weeks)
• your bank account number and sort code
• your contact name
• your phone number

So you should still be able to claim despite the carp payroll agency you have employed.

agencychef

Thanks to both of you, you have verified my own reading of the situation, however so far, the company of accountants refuse to help. To clarify, I had no choice with the accountants they were an option via my agency.

Personally I would be able to survive if I knew there was a payment forthcoming, even if it was in June/July although there are many others I am sure who could not.

I am actively seeking alternate employment in all suitable (and unsuitable) roles that I can.

sliphi

agencychef said:

Thanks to both of you, you have verified my own reading of the situation, however so far, the company of accountants refuse to help. To clarify, I had no choice with the accountants they were an option via my agency.

Personally I would be able to survive if I knew there was a payment forthcoming, even if it was in June/July although there are many others I am sure who could not.

I am actively seeking alternate employment in all suitable (and unsuitable) roles that I can.

Sorry, I thought you said "I have a payroll number according to HMRC and am employed by my own company."

As a director, surely you have the authority to run your company as you wish, answerable only to your shareholder(s) which presumably is also you. (and maybe your wife)

DavidT67

@agencychef , The accountancy firm and recruitment agency are acting as your agents, you have the power to remove or replace your agents.  As @sliphi said get yourself and your company setup with HMRC directly, use their software and do it yourself if your agents won't cooperate.  Otherwise, go back to them and see when they will be up to speed and able to assist.

agencychef

Just an update, we have been furloughed and will be paid once the grant is issued to the accountants.