The Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) Regulations 2000

Statutory Instruments

2000 No. 727

SOCIAL SECURITY

The Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) Regulations 2000

Made

13th March 2000

Laid before Parliament

13th March 2000

Coming into force

6th April 2000

The Treasury, with the concurrence of the Secretary of State for Social Security, in exercise of the powers conferred on them by sections 4A, 122(1) and 175(1A), (2) to (4) of the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992M1 and of all other powers enabling them in that behalf, and the Commissioners of Inland Revenue, in exercise of the powers conferred on them by section 8(1)(m) of the Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999M2 and of all other powers enabling them in that behalf, hereby make the following Regulations:

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 Instrument excluded by National Insurance Contributions Act 2011 (c. 3), ss. 6(5)(a), 13(2)

Marginal Citations

M1 1992 c. 4. Section 4A was inserted by section 75 of the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999 (c. 30). Section 122(1) is cited because of the meaning ascribed to the word “prescribe". Section 175 was amended by paragraph 29 of Schedule 3 to the Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 (c. 2).

M2 1999 c. 2.

Citation, commencement and effect E+W+S

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) Regulations 2000 and shall come into force on 6th April 2000.

(2) These Regulations have effect for the tax year 2000–01 and subsequent years and apply in relation to services performed, or to be performed, on or after 6th April 2000.

(3) Payments or other benefits in respect of such services received before that date shall be treated as if received in the tax year 2000–01.

Interpretation E+W+S

2.—(1) In these Regulations unless the context otherwise requires–

• “arrangements" means the arrangements referred to in regulation 6(1)(b);

• “associate" has the meaning given by regulation 3;

• “attributable earnings" in relation to a worker shall be construed in accordance with regulation 6(3)(a);

• [F1 “the Board” means the Commissioners for Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs;]

• F2 ...

• “Class 1A contributions" has the meaning given by section 10 of the Contributions and Benefits Act M3 ;

• “client" shall be construed in accordance with regulation 6(1)(a);

• “company" means any body corporate or unincorporated association, but does not include a partnership;

• “the Contributions and Benefits Act" means the Social Security Contributions and Benefits Act 1992;

• [F3 “the Contributions Regulations” means the Social Security (Contributions) Regulations 2001;]

• “intermediary" has the meaning given by regulation 5;

• “relevant benefit" means any benefit falling within regulation 4 that is provided to the intermediary or to or on behalf of the worker under the arrangements;

• “relevant payment" means any payment made to an intermediary or to or on behalf of the worker under the arrangements;

• “secondary Class 1 contributions" has the meaning given by section 6 of the Contributions and Benefits Act M4 ;

• “secondary contributor" has the meaning given by section 7 of the Contributions and Benefits Act M5 ;

• “the Taxes Act" means the Income and Corporation Taxes Act 1988 M6 ;

• “tax year" means year of assessment;

• “worker" means the individual referred to in regulation 6(1)(a).

(2) References in these Regulations to payments or benefits received or receivable from a partnership or unincorporated association include payments or benefits to which a person is or may be entitled in his capacity as a member of the partnership or association.

(3) For the purposes of these Regulations–

(a) anything done by or in relation to an associate of an intermediary is treated as done by or in relation to the intermediary, and

(b) a payment or other benefit provided to a member of an individual’s family or household is treated as provided to the individual.

(4) The reference in paragraph (3)(b) to an individual’s family or household shall be construed in accordance with [F4 sections 721(4) and (5) of ITEPA 2003].

(5) For the purposes of these Regulations a man and a woman living together as husband and wife are treated as if they were married to each other.

[F5 (6) For the purposes of these Regulations two people of the same sex living together as if they were civil partners of each other are treated as if they were civil partners of each other; and, for the purposes of these Regulations, two people of the same sex are to be regarded as living together as if they were civil partners if, but only if, they would be regarded as living together as husband and wife were they instead two people of the opposite sex.]

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in reg. 2(1) substituted (5.12.2005) by Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3131), regs. 1(2), 4(2)

F2 Words in reg. 2(1) omitted (1.9.2003) by virtue of Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/2079), regs. 1(1), 4 (with reg. 7)

F3 Words in reg. 2(1) substituted (6.4.2002) by Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/703), regs. 1(1), 3

F4 Words in reg. 2(4) substituted (6.4.2004) by The Social Security (Contributions, Categorisation of Earners and Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/770), regs. 1(1), 35(2)

F5 Reg. 2(6) inserted (5.12.2005) by Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3131), regs. 1(2), 4(3)

Marginal Citations

M3 Section 10 was amended by section 52 of, and paragraph 58 of Schedule 7 to, the Social Security Act 1998 (c. 14), paragraph 10 of Schedule 3 to the Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 and regulation 4 of S.I. 1994/667.

M4 Section 6 was substituted by paragraph 2 of Schedule 9 to the Welfare Reform and Pensions Act 1999.

M5 Section 7 was amended by paragraph 7 of Schedule 3 to the Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999.

M6 1988 c. 1.

Meaning of associate E+W+S

3.—(1) In these Regulations “associate"–

(a) in relation to an individual, has the meaning given by section 417(3) and (4) of the Taxes Act M7 , subject to the following provisions of this regulation;

(b) in relation to a company, means a person connected with the company within the meaning of section 839 of the Taxes Act M8 ; and

(c) in relation to a partnership, means any associate of a member of the partnership.

(2) Where an individual has an interest in shares or obligations of the company as a beneficiary of an employee benefit trust, the trustees are not regarded as associates of his by reason only of that interest except in the following circumstances.

(3) The exception is where–

(a) the individual, either on his own or with one or more of his associates, or

(b) any associate of his, with or without other such associates,

has been the beneficial owner of, or able (directly or through the medium of other companies or by any other indirect means) to control, more than 5 per cent. of the ordinary share capital of the company.

(4) In paragraph (2) “employee benefit trust" has the same meaning as in [F6 sections 550 and 551 of ITEPA 2003.]

Textual Amendments

F6 Words in reg. 3(4) substituted (6.4.2004) by The Social Security (Contributions, Categorisation of Earners and Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/770), regs. 1(1), 35(3)

Marginal Citations

M7 Section 417 was amended by paragraph 6 of Schedule 17 to the Finance Act 1995 (c. 4).

M8 Section 839 was amended by paragraph 20 of Schedule 17 to the Finance Act 1995.

Meaning of benefit E+W+S

4.— [F7 (1) For the purposes of these Regulations a “benefit” means anything that, if received by an employee for performing the duties of an employment, would be general earnings of the employment.]

(2) The amount of a benefit is taken to be–

(a) in the case of a cash benefit, the amount received, and

(b) in the case of a non-cash benefit, the cash equivalent of the benefit.

(3) The cash equivalent of a non-cash benefit is taken to be whichever is the greater of–

[F8 (a) the amount that would, for income tax purposes, be general earnings if the benefit were general earnings from an employment, and

(b) the cash equivalent determined in accordance with section 398(2)(b) of 2003.]

(4) For the purposes of these Regulations a benefit is treated as received–

(a) in the case of a cash benefit, when payment is made of or on account of the benefit; and

(b) in the case of an non-cash benefit, when it is used or enjoyed.

Textual Amendments

F7 Reg. 4(1) substituted (6.4.2004) by The Social Security (Contributions, Categorisation of Earners and Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/770), regs. 1(1), 35(4)(a)

F8 Reg. 4(3)(a)(b) substituted (6.4.2004) by The Social Security (Contributions, Categorisation of Earners and Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/770), regs. 1(1), 35(4)(b)

Meaning of intermediary E+W+S

5.—(1) In these Regulations “intermediary" means any person, including a partnership or unincorporated association of which the worker is a member–

(a) whose relationship with the worker in any tax year satisfies the conditions specified in paragraph (2), (6), (7) or (8), and

(b) from whom the worker, or an associate of the worker–

(i) receives, directly or indirectly, in that year a payment or benefit that is not chargeable to tax [F9 as employment income under ITEPA 2003], or

(ii) is entitled to receive, or in any circumstances would be entitled to receive, directly or indirectly, in that year any such payment or benefit.

(2) Where the intermediary is a company the conditions are that–

(a) the intermediary is not an associated company of the client, within the meaning of section 416 of the Taxes Act M9 , by reason of the intermediary and the client both being under the control of the worker, or under the control of the worker and another person; and

(b) either–

(i) the worker has a material interest in the intermediary, or

(ii) the payment or benefit is received or receivable by the worker directly from the intermediary, and can reasonably be taken to represent remuneration for services provided by the worker to the client.

(3) A worker is treated as having a material interest in a company for the purposes of paragraph (2)(a) if–

(a) the worker, alone or with one or more associates of his, or

(b) an associate of the worker, with or without other such associates,

has a material interest in the company.

(4) For this purpose a material interest means–

(a) beneficial ownership of, or the ability to control, directly or through the medium of other companies or by any other indirect means, more than 5 per cent. of the ordinary share capital of the company; or

(b) possession of, or entitlement to acquire, rights entitling the holder to receive more than 5 per cent. of any distributions that may be made by the company; or

(c) where the company is a close company, possession of, or entitlement to acquire, rights that would in the event of the winding up of the company, or in any other circumstances, entitle the holder to receive more than 5 per cent. of the assets that would then be available for distribution among the participators.

In sub-paragraph (c) “close company" has the meaning given by sections 414 and 415 of the Taxes Act M10 , and “participator" has the meaning given by section 417(1) of that Act.

(5) Where the intermediary is a partnership the conditions are as follows.

(6) In relation to payments or benefits received or receivable by the worker as a member of the partnership, the conditions are–

(a) that the worker, alone or with one or more relatives, is entitled to 60 per cent. or more of the profits of the partnership; or

(b) that most of the profits of the partnership derive from the provision of services under the arrangements–

(i) to a single client, or

(ii) to a single client together with an associate or associates of that client; or

(c) that under the profit sharing arrangements the income of any of the partners is based on the amount of income generated by that partner by the provision of services under the arrangements.

In sub-paragraph (a) “relative" means [F10 spouse or civil partner], parent or remoter forebear, child or remoter issue, or brother or sister.

(7) In relation to payments or benefits received or receivable by the worker otherwise than as a member of the partnership, the conditions are that the payment or benefit–

(a) is received or receivable by the worker directly from the intermediary, and

(b) can reasonably be taken to represent remuneration for services provided by the worker to the client.

(8) Where the intermediary is an individual the conditions are that the payment or benefit–

(a) is received or receivable by the worker directly from the intermediary, and

(b) can reasonably be taken to represent remuneration for services provided by the worker to the client.

Textual Amendments

F9 Words in reg. 5(1)(b)(i) substituted (6.4.2004) by virtue of The Social Security (Contributions, Categorisation of Earners and Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/770), regs. 1(1), 35(5)

F10 Words in reg. 5(6) substituted (5.12.2005) by Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3131), regs. 1(2), 5

Marginal Citations

M9 Section 416 was amended by Part V of Schedule 17 to the Finance Act 1989.

M10 Section 414 was amended by section 104 of, and Part V of Schedule 17 to, the Finance Act 1989. Section 415 was amended by paragraph 6(2)(f) of Schedule 38 to the Finance Act 1996.

Provision of services through intermediary E+W+S

6.—(1) These Regulations apply where–

(a) an individual (“the worker") personally performs, or is under an obligation personally to perform, services [F11 for another person] (“the client"),

(b) the performance of those services by the worker is carried out, not under a contract directly between the client and the worker, but under arrangements involving an intermediary, and

(c) the circumstances are such that, had the arrangements taken the form of a contract between the worker and the client, the worker would be regarded for the purposes of Parts I to V of the Contributions and Benefits Act as employed in employed earner’s employment by the client.

(2) Paragraph (1)(b) has effect irrespective of whether or not–

(a) there exists a contract between the client and the worker, or

(b) the worker is the holder of an office with the client.

(3) Where these Regulations apply–

(a) the worker is treated, for the purposes of Parts I to V of the Contributions and Benefits Act, and in relation to the amount deriving from relevant payments and relevant benefits that is calculated in accordance with regulation 7 (“ the worker’s attributable earnings"), as employed in employed earner’s employment by the intermediary, and

(b) the intermediary, whether or not he fulfils the conditions prescribed under section 1(6)(a) of the Contributions and Benefits Act M11 for secondary contributors, is treated for those purposes as the secondary contributor in respect of the worker’s attributable earnings,

and Parts I to V of that Act have effect accordingly.

(4) Any issue whether the circumstances are such as are mentioned in paragraph (1)(c) is an issue relating to contributions that is prescribed for the purposes of section 8(1)(m) of the Social Security Contributions (Transfer of Functions, etc.) Act 1999 (decision by officer of the Board).

Textual Amendments

F11 Words in reg. 6(1)(a) substituted (1.9.2003) by Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/2079), regs. 1(1), 5 (with reg. 7)

Marginal Citations

M11 Section 1(6) was amended by paragraph 56(3) of Schedule 7 to the Social Security Act 1998.

Worker’s attributable earnings—calculation E+W+S

7.—(1) For the purposes of regulation 6(3)(a) the amount of the worker’s attributable earnings for a tax year is calculated as follows:

Step One

Find the total amount of all payments and benefits received by the intermediary in that year under the arrangements, and reduce that amount by 5 per cent.

Step Two

Add the amount of any payments and benefits received by the worker in that year under the arrangements, otherwise than from the intermediary, that–

(a) are not chargeable to income tax [F12 as employment income under ITEPA 2003], and

(b) would be so chargeable if the worker were employed by the client.

Step Three

Deduct the amount of any expenses met in that year by the intermediary that under [F13 ITEPA 2003] would have been deductible from the [F14 taxable earnings of the employment, within the meaning of section 10 of ITEPA 2003, in accordance with section 327(3) to (5) of that Act] if the worker had been employed by the client and the expenses had been met by the worker out of [F15 those earnings].

Step Four

Deduct the amount of any capital allowances in respect of expenditure incurred by the intermediary in that year that could have been claimed by the worker [F16 under Part 2 of the Capital Allowances Act 2001 (plant and machinery allowances) by virtue of section 15(1)(i) of that Act (which provides that employment is a qualifying activity for the purposes of that Part)]) if the worker had been employed by the client and had incurred the expenditure.

Step Five

Deduct any contributions made in that year for the benefit of the worker by the intermediary to [F17 a registered pension scheme for the purposes of Part 4 of the Finance Act 2004]M12 that if made by an employer for the benefit of an employee would not be chargeable to income tax as income of the employee[F18 , and any payments made in that year in respect of the worker by the intermediary in respect of any of the Pensions Act levies].

This does not apply to excess contributions made and later repaid.

Step Six

Deduct the amount of secondary Class 1 contributions and Class 1A contributions paid by the intermediary for that year in respect of earnings of the worker.

Step Seven

Deduct–

(a) the amount of any payments made by the intermediary to the worker in that year that constitute remuneration derived from the worker’s employment by that intermediary including, where the intermediary is a body corporate and the worker is a director of that body corporate, payments treated as remuneration derived from that employment by virtue of regulation[F19 22(2)] of the Contributions Regulations M13 (payments to directors to be treated as earnings), but excluding payments which represent items in respect of which a deduction was made under Step Three, and

(b) the amount of any benefits provided by the intermediary to the worker in that year, being benefits that constitute amounts of [F20 general earnings] in respect of which Class 1A contributions are payable, but excluding any benefits which represent items in respect of which a deduction was made under Step Three.

If the result at this point is nil or a negative amount, there are no worker’s attributable earnings for that year.

Step Eight

Find the amount that, together with the amount of secondary Class 1 contributions payable in respect of it, is equal to the amount resulting from Step Seven (if that amount is a positive amount).

Step Nine

The result is the amount of the worker’s attributable earnings for that year.

(2) Where section 559 of the Taxes Act applies (sub-contractors in the construction industry: payments to be made under deduction) the intermediary is treated for the purposes of Step One of the calculation in paragraph (1) as receiving the amount that would have been received had no deduction been made under that section.

(3) For the purpose of calculating the amount of deductible expenses referred to in Step Three of the calculation in paragraph (1) it shall be assumed that all engagements of the worker under the arrangements involving the intermediary are undertaken in the course of the same employment.

(4) For the purposes of this regulation any necessary apportionment shall be made on a just and reasonable basis of amounts received by the intermediary that are referable–

(a) to the services of more than one worker, or

(b) partly to the services of the worker and partly to other matters.

(5) For the purposes of this regulation the time when payments are received by the intermediary or the worker under the arrangements shall be found in accordance with the rules contained in [F21 sections 18 and 19 of ITEPA 2003, subject to the qualification that the worker shall not be treated, by virtue of Rule 2 in section 18, as receiving a payment prior to the time of its actual receipt.]

[F22 (6) The reference in Step Three of the calculation in paragraph (1) to expenses met by the intermediary includes expenses met by the worker and reimbursed by the intermediary.

(7) Where the intermediary is a partnership and the worker is a member of the partnership, expenses met by the worker for and on behalf of the intermediary shall be treated for the purposes of paragraph (6) as expenses met by the worker and reimbursed by the intermediary.

(8) Where—

(a) the intermediary provides a vehicle for the worker, and

(b) the worker would have been entitled to an amount of mileage allowance relief under [F23 section 231 of ITEPA 2003 ] for a tax year in respect of the use of the vehicle if the worker had been employed by the client, or would have been so entitled if the worker had been employed by the client and the vehicle had not been a company vehicle,

Step Three of the calculation in paragraph (1) shall have effect as if that amount were an amount of expenses deductible under that Step.

(9) Where—

(a) the intermediary is a partnership,

(b) the worker is a member of the partnership, and

(c) the worker provides a vehicle for the purposes of the business of the partnership,

then for the purposes of paragraph (8) the vehicle shall be regarded as provided by the intermediary for the worker.

(10)  Where the intermediary makes payments to the worker that are exempt from income tax [F24 as employment income under ITEPA 2003 ] by virtue of [F25 section 229 or 233 of ITEPA 2003 ] (mileage allowance payments and passenger payments), paragraph (a) of Step Seven of the calculation in paragraph (1) shall have effect as if the intermediary had made payments to the worker that constituted remuneration derived from the worker’s employment by the intermediary. ]

[F26 (11) In this regulation “the Pensions Act levies” means—

(a) the administration levy referred to in section 117(1) of the Pensions Act 2004;

(b) the initial levy referred to in section 174(1) of that Act;

(c) the risk-based pension protection levy referred to in section 175(1)(a) of that Act;

(d) the scheme-based pension protection levy referred to in section 175(1)(b) of that Act;

(e) the fraud compensation levy referred to in section 189(1) of that Act;

(f) a levy in respect of eligible schemes imposed by regulations made under section 209(7) of that Act (the Ombudsman for the Board of the Pension Protection Fund).]

Textual Amendments

F12 Words in reg. 7(1) substituted (1.9.2003) by Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/2079), regs. 1(1), 6(2)(a) (with reg. 7)

F13 Words in reg. 7(1) substituted (1.9.2003) by Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/2079), regs. 1(1), 6(2)(b)(i) (with reg. 7)

F14 Words in reg. 7(1) substituted (1.9.2003) by Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/2079), regs. 1(1), 6(2)(b)(ii) (with reg. 7)

F15 Words in reg. 7(1) substituted (1.9.2003) by Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/2079), regs. 1(1), 6(2)(b)(iii) (with reg. 7)

F16 Words in reg. 7(1) substituted (1.9.2003) by Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/2079), regs. 1(1), 6(2)(c) (with reg. 7)

F17 Words in reg. 7(1) substituted (6.4.2006) by Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3131), regs. 1(3), 8(2)

F18 Words in reg. 7(1) inserted (5.12.2005) by Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3131), regs. 1(2), 6(2)

F19 Word in reg. 7(1)(a) substituted (6.4.2002) by Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/703), regs. 1(1), 4

F20 Words in reg. 7(1)(b) substituted (6.4.2004) by The Social Security (Contributions, Categorisation of Earners and Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2004 (S.I. 2004/770), regs. 1(1), 35(6)

F21 Words in reg. 7(5) substituted (1.9.2003) by Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/2079), regs. 1(1), 6(3) (with reg. 7)

F22 Reg. 7(6)-(10) inserted (6.4.2002) by virtue of Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/703), regs. 1(1), 5

F23 Words in reg. 7(8)(b) substituted (1.9.2003) by Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/2079), regs. 1(1), 6(4) (with reg. 7)

F24 Words in reg. 7(10) substituted (1.9.2003) by Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/2079), regs. 1(1), 6(5)(a) (with reg. 7)

F25 Words in reg. 7(10) substituted (1.9.2003) by Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2003 (S.I. 2003/2079), regs. 1(1), 6(5)(b) (with reg. 7)

F26 Reg. 7(11) inserted (5.12.2005) by Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3131), regs. 1(2), 6(3)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C2 Reg. 7(1) modified (5.12.2005) by Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2005 (S.I. 2005/3131), regs. 1(2), 7(2) (with reg. 7(1))

Marginal Citations

M12 2004 c. 12

M13 Regulation 17A was inserted by regulation 5 of S.I. 1983/10.

Worker’s attributable earnings—deemed payment E+W+S

8.—(1) The amount referred to in Step Nine of the calculation in regulation 7(1) is treated, for the purposes of Parts I to V of the Contributions and Benefits Act, as a single payment of the worker’s attributable earnings made by the intermediary on the 5th April in the tax year concerned or, as the case may be, on the date found in accordance with paragraphs (4) to (7), and those Parts of that Act shall have effect accordingly.

(2) The worker’s attributable earnings shall be aggregated with any other earnings paid to the worker by the intermediary in the year concerned to or for the benefit of the worker in respect of employed earner’s employment, and the amount of earnings-related contributions payable in respect of that aggregate amount shall be assessed in accordance with the appropriate earnings period specified in regulation [F27 8] of the Contributions Regulations (earnings period for directors), whether or not the worker is a director of a company during that year.

(3) Where the intermediary is a partnership or unincorporated association, the amount referred to in Step Nine of the calculation in regulation 7(1) is treated, for the purposes of Parts I to V of the Contributions and Benefits Act, as received by the worker in his personal capacity and not as income of the partnership or association.

(4) If in a tax year–

(a) an amount of the worker’s attributable earnings is treated as made under paragraph (1), and

(b) before the date on which the payment would be treated as made under that paragraph any relevant event (as defined below) occurs in relation to the intermediary,

that amount is treated, for the purposes of Parts I to V of the Contributions and Benefits Act, as having been made immediately before that event or, if there is more than one, immediately before the first of them.

(5) Where the intermediary is a company the following are relevant events–

(a) where the worker is a member of the company, his ceasing to be such a member;

(b) where the worker holds an office with the company, his ceasing to hold such an office;

(c) where the worker is employed by the company, his ceasing to be so employed.

[F28 (d) the company ceasing to trade.]

(6) Where the intermediary is a partnership the following are relevant events–

(a) the dissolution of the partnership or the partnership ceasing to trade or a partner ceasing to act as such;

(b) where the worker is employed by the partnership, his ceasing to be so employed.

(7) Where the intermediary is an individual and the worker is employed by him, it is a relevant event if the worker ceases to be so employed.

(8) The fact that an amount of the worker’s attributable earnings is treated as made under paragraph (1) before the end of the tax year concerned does not affect what payments and benefits are taken into account in calculating that amount.

Textual Amendments

F27 Word in reg. 8(2) substituted (6.4.2002) by Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/703), regs. 1(1), 6(1)(a)

F28 Reg. 8(5)(d) added (6.4.2002) by Social Security Contributions (Intermediaries) (Amendment) Regulations 2002 (S.I. 2002/703), regs. 1(1), 6(1)(b)

Multiple intermediaries—general E+W+S

9.—(1) Regulations 10 and 11 apply where in any tax year the arrangements involve more than one intermediary.

(2) Except as provided by regulations 10 and 11, the provisions of these Regulations apply separately in relation to each intermediary.

Multiple intermediaries—avoidance of double-counting E+W+S

10.—(1) This regulation applies where a payment or benefit has been made or provided, directly or indirectly, from one intermediary to another intermediary under the arrangements.

(2) In that case, the amount taken into account in relation to any intermediary in Step One or Step Two of the calculation in regulation 7(1) shall be reduced to such extent as is necessary to avoid double-counting having regard to the amount so taken into account in relation to any other intermediary.

Multiple intermediaries—joint and several liability E+W+S

11.—(1) Where the arrangements involve more than one intermediary, all the intermediaries are jointly and severally liable, subject to paragraph (3), to pay contributions in respect of the amount of the worker’s attributable earnings treated in accordance with regulation 8(1) as paid by any of them–

(a) under those arrangements, or

(b) under those arrangements together with other arrangements.

(2) For the purposes of paragraph (1), each amount of the worker’s attributable earnings shall be aggregated, and the aggregate amount shall be treated for the purposes of regulation 8(1) as a single payment of the worker’s attributable earnings, but so that the total liability of the intermediaries to pay contributions in respect of that aggregate amount is not less than it would have been if the arrangements had involved a single intermediary and that aggregate amount had been an amount treated as paid in accordance with regulation 8(1) by a single intermediary.

(3) An intermediary is not jointly and severally liable as mentioned in paragraph (1) if the intermediary has not received any payment or benefit under the arrangements concerned or under any such other arrangements as are mentioned in sub-paragraph (b) of that paragraph.

Social Security (Categorisation of Earners) Regulations 1978—Saving E+W+S

12.  Nothing in these Regulations affects the operation of regulation 2 of the Social Security (Categorisation of Earners) Regulations 1978 M14 (treatment of earners in one category of earners as falling within another category and disregard of employments) as that regulation applies to employment listed in paragraph 2 in column (A) of Part I of Schedule 1 to those Regulations (earner supplied through a third person treated as employed earner).

Marginal Citations

M14 S.I. 1978/1689.

Greg Pope

Bob Ainsworth

Two of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury

7th March 2000

The Secretary of State for Social Security hereby concurs.

Signed by authority of the Secretary of State for Social Security

Jeff Rooker

8th March 2000

Nick Montagu

Steve Matheson

Two of the Commissioners of Inland Revenue

13th March 2000

Explanatory Note

(This note is not part of the Regulations)

These Regulations, which come into force on 6th April 2000, make provision for ensuring that social security contributions payable in relation to employed earner’s employment remain payable notwithstanding the existence of arrangements whereby the services of the worker for another person (“the client") are performed through another person (“the intermediary") and not pursuant to a contract of employment between the worker and the client.

Regulation 1 provides for citation, commencement and effect, and regulations 2 to 5 contain definitions.

Regulation 6 provides that, where the worker’s services are carried out in pursuance of arrangements involving an intermediary, the worker shall be treated, for the purposes of social security contributions in respect of a calculated amount of payments or benefits made or provided under the arrangements, as employed in employed earner’s employment by the intermediary, and the intermediary shall be treated as the secondary contributor for those purposes. The regulation also provides that an officer of the Board of Inland Revenue may make a decision on whether the regulation applies in a particular case.

Regulation 7 provides the method of calculation of the amount of payments and benefits in respect of which social security contributions are payable by virtue of regulation 6.

Regulation 8 treats the amount found under regulation 7 as a single payment of earnings made by the intermediary on 5th April in the year of assessment concerned or, where one or more specified events occur in that year, immediately before that event or the earliest of those events.

Regulations 9 to 11 make provision for the case where more than one intermediary is involved in the same arrangements.

Regulation 12 contains a saving provision that nothing in these Regulations affects the operation of secondary legislation relating to agency workers.