‘Even as an accountant, I cannot help’: Accountant calls on HMRC to re-examine its processes for overseas workers seeking to register as self-employed

An accountancy professional who works with performing arts professionals is calling on HMRC to re-examine its processes for overseas workers seeking to register as self-employed. Louise Herrington of Performance Accountancy says the current process is ‘nigh on impossible’ for many to navigate.

Following changes to the system people must use to register for self-assessment and self-employment, it has become more difficult for overseas performers, especially those for whom English is not their first language, to register as self-employed, Herrington claims.

She said: ‘People have been calling in tears not understanding how they set up and register as self-employed in order to do tax returns - the information is just not out there. They get through part of the process and a complete red wall comes up. Even as an accountant, I cannot help. It plays on the mind of overseas musicians setting up in the UK. Many want to remain in the UK so the potential of not following the rules can impact visa applications, leave to remain and settlement status. They are being treated like second-rate citizens wanting to do the right thing but unable to do so.’

The government stopped using its Verify system – which HMRC used to verify people registering for self-assessment and self-employment – in April. Herrington discovered that, while HMRC's newly expanded list of ways for the potential taxpayer to identify themselves included methods which worked for overseas workers, the next stage of the process asked for a two out of the following three: UK passport, UK photo card driving license or credit reference. Overseas workers working with Herrington struggled to supply the UK-based documentation required.

When Verify closed, Herrington reports, many links on the HMRC website ceased to work, creating more confusion for those looking to register as self-employed in the UK. She is also concerned about the lack of readily available help on HMRC's telephone helplines.

Herrington said: ‘Without an accountant to “jump the queue” with our agent status, this poor performer has now got to sit on the phone and wait for somebody to answer it, when he or she could and should be practicing or performing… Performers want to do right by the tax system but how can they when the options are not there or are so labyrinthine in their complexity that it is tempting to give up?’