What do you make of this email?

[NastyNick]

Hi NastyNick,

I am currently working on a OurCompanyName tax assessment, part of which involves our contractors. As such, we would like to know how you are all paid by the agencies who have placed you here: either as an employee of that agency, as a self employed contractor or via another company. If your agency does pay a company on your behalf, do you own that company?

Your help on this would be much appreciated.

Kind Regards
Mrs Secretary

[TheFaQQer]

I'd ignore it, if it were me.

Get them to sort it out with the agency if they want it that badly.

[NastyNick]

I didnt fancy ignoring it, so I replied yesterday with:

"I am the managing director of my own company (NastyNick Solutions), and the agency (MyAgency) pays NastyNick Solutions".

But it just seems strange that they need this info for a tax assessment?

[pmeswani]

Hi NastyNick,

I am currently working on a OurCompanyName tax assessment, part of which involves our contractors. As such, we would like to know how you are all paid by the agencies who have placed you here: either as an employee of that agency, as a self employed contractor or via another company. If your agency does pay a company on your behalf, do you own that company?

Your help on this would be much appreciated.

Kind Regards
Mrs Secretary

Tell them what the need to know without going into too much detail. If you use an Umbrella... tell them you get paid by an Umbrella. If you get paid by your own Ltd Company.... tell them that you pay yourself via your Ltd company and that the tax is handled accordingly with UK law. Advise them that the payment between the Umbrella / Your Ltd Co and your agency is confidential and cannot be discussed.

[ratewhore]

I concur with the faqqer...

[turntable]

I would probably just tell them, as long as they don't ask for specifics...I suppose you don't have to, but I don't see that there's much to lose.