Parasol Group: Do not use this umbrellas / ltd limited liability company

[eek]

The tax return was included in the weekly payments to parasol. The tax return was part of the service they offered to paying customers to handle the tax side of things at the end of the year as well as doing payroll. So you haven’t quite got the tax situation correct.

So your complaint is that they advertised a service and didn't actually do what they promised to do.

Fair enough - but to me any umbrella offering to do your self assessment is a massive red flag - what are they trying to hide and why?

[Paralytic]

The tax return was included in the weekly payments to parasol. The tax return was part of the service they offered to paying customers to handle the tax side of things at the end of the year as well as doing payroll. So you haven’t quite got the tax situation correct.

Are you sure self-assessment is part of Parasol's Umbrella service? I can't see that mentioned on their website, but perhaps it was some special service they only offered you.

What specifically did you sign that said they'd do your self-assessment? How much were you paying for this? Was it via Parasol, or their accountancy arm (ClearkSky)?

[gizzmo]

Are you sure self-assessment is part of Parasol's Umbrella service? I can't see that mentioned on their website, but perhaps it was some special service they only offered you.

What specifically did you sign that said they'd do your self-assessment? How much were you paying for this? Was it via Parasol, or their accountancy arm (ClearkSky)?

I am in discussions with Parasol as will be starting a contract in Dec and the client has said they only work with Parasol. I can confirm they offer 2 levels of service, Standard and Platinum. The Platinum includes completion of self assessment. I couldn't find it on their website anywhere but they emailed me a pdf with the comparison. I've copy pasted the text here:

Parasol is one of the largest professional employment organisations in the UK. We have
helped over 100,000 contractors since our launch in 2000. We’ve highlighted some of the
benefits below of both our standard and platinum employment solutions:

Parasol Standard
Our standard employment solution includes:
• Online Portal - Easy to use, secure online
portal available 24/7 for all admin.
• Employee Support Team - Available to help
with any queries 6 days a week including
Saturdays.
• Same Day Payroll Guarantee - If we have all
the necessary information from the agency to
identify the payment by 5pm, we guarantee
to make the payment to you by same day
payment. If we don’t send payment the same
day, we’ll return the margin we have retained
from you.
• Multiple Payrolls - We run up to 5 payrolls daily.
• Insurance - £20m comprehensive insurance
package.
• Expenses - Maximise your income through
claiming legitimate business expenses.


Parasol Platinum
You have access to everything included in the
standard employment solution, plus:
• Dedicated Employee Support Advisor -
Available to help you with any queries 6 days a
week.
• Free Self-Assessment Tax Return -
Our specialist Tax Centre of Excellence offers a
quick and easy tax return service.
• Regular Reviews - We’ll call you regularly to make
sure you’re getting the most out of working with
Parasol and to ensure you’re maximising your
income.
• Optionis Rewards - We’re partnered with Remus
Rewards, one of the UK’s largest providers of
employee benefits. From your weekly shop to
your annual summer holiday, you’ll be able to
make significant savings with some of the biggest
names on the high street.

Parasol Standard
£28.50 per week
(net impact of £14.46)
Parasol Platinum
£35.00 per week
(net impact of £17.76)
W

[eek]

I am in discussions with Parasol as will be starting a contract in Dec and the client has said they only work with Parasol. I can confirm they offer 2 levels of service, Standard and Platinum. The Platinum includes completion of self assessment. I couldn't find it on their website anywhere but they emailed me a pdf with the comparison. I've copy pasted the text here:

Parasol is one of the largest professional employment organisations in the UK. We have
helped over 100,000 contractors since our launch in 2000. We’ve highlighted some of the
benefits below of both our standard and platinum employment solutions:

Parasol Standard
Our standard employment solution includes:
• Online Portal - Easy to use, secure online
portal available 24/7 for all admin.
• Employee Support Team - Available to help
with any queries 6 days a week including
Saturdays.
• Same Day Payroll Guarantee - If we have all
the necessary information from the agency to
identify the payment by 5pm, we guarantee
to make the payment to you by same day
payment. If we don’t send payment the same
day, we’ll return the margin we have retained
from you.
• Multiple Payrolls - We run up to 5 payrolls daily.
• Insurance - £20m comprehensive insurance
package.
• Expenses - Maximise your income through
claiming legitimate business expenses.


Parasol Platinum
You have access to everything included in the
standard employment solution, plus:
• Dedicated Employee Support Advisor -
Available to help you with any queries 6 days a
week.
• Free Self-Assessment Tax Return -
Our specialist Tax Centre of Excellence offers a
quick and easy tax return service.
• Regular Reviews - We’ll call you regularly to make
sure you’re getting the most out of working with
Parasol and to ensure you’re maximising your
income.
• Optionis Rewards - We’re partnered with Remus
Rewards, one of the UK’s largest providers of
employee benefits. From your weekly shop to
your annual summer holiday, you’ll be able to
make significant savings with some of the biggest
names on the high street.

Parasol Standard
£28.50 per week
(net impact of £14.46)
Parasol Platinum
£35.00 per week
(net impact of £17.76)
W

So that's the difference between the 2 products - everything I've seen made it look like it was designed for the agency to pick not the worker.

I'm really unhappy with an umbrella company doing tax returns though - as the majority of "umbrella" companies that offer such things are usually doing it for their benefit (to hide the tricks and keep the scheme running longer) not the employees.

Also how can Parasol help you maximise your income - it's PAYE (unless they talk about pensions and other salary sacrifice options they may offer but I don't know about.)

[Paralytic]

I'm really unhappy with an umbrella company doing tax returns though - as the majority of "umbrella" companies that offer such things are usually doing it for their benefit (to hide the tricks and keep the scheme running longer) not the employees.

I suspect this is just a marketing thing, and the actual SA work will get done by ClearSky who have the same registered address and are clearly closely related. I'd expect that to be in the T&Cs/smallprint.

[gizzmo]

I'm really unhappy with an umbrella company doing tax returns though - as the majority of "umbrella" companies that offer such things are usually doing it for their benefit (to hide the tricks and keep the scheme running longer) not the employees.

Also how can Parasol help you maximise your income - it's PAYE (unless they talk about pensions and other salary sacrifice options they may offer but I don't know about.)

Agreed plus i have other income to declare in self assessment so i wouldn't be wanting them to do my self-assessment either - i don't really see much additional value in the platinum offering tbh.

[eek]

Agreed plus i have other income to declare in self assessment so i wouldn't be wanting them to do my self-assessment either - i don't really see much additional value in the platinum offering tbh.

I think reward schemes cost £1 / week or so a member in bulk...

[Beiberbuffet]

Are you sure self-assessment is part of Parasol's Umbrella service? I can't see that mentioned on their website, but perhaps it was some special service they only offered you.

What specifically did you sign that said they'd do your self-assessment? How much were you paying for this? Was it via Parasol, or their accountancy arm (ClearkSky)?

It was included in the parasol price.