Complex tax rules

Hunt urged to simplify tax rules for self-employed

Around a quarter of workers are considering becoming self-employed and almost one-fifth said they could go it alone within one year, according to a survey by recruitment services firm Workwell and the Association of Independent Professionals and the Self-Employed (IPSE). "Contracting and freelancing remains an attractive option for substantial numbers of employees with around one in four considering giving up the security of working for someone else," said Chris Mollan, head of accountancy services at Workwell. Andy Chamberlain, director of policy at IPSE, said: "Government must not miss its opportunity to support people in launching a self-employed career, especially when today's figures show a strong appetite to operate in this way. Simplifying tax rules for the self-employed and more tailored support and resources for new freelancers would not only help them to succeed early in their self-employed careers, but for many years to come."