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

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    #11
    Originally posted by Beiberbuffet View Post
    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?
    merely at clientco for the entertainment

    Comment


      #12
      Originally posted by Beiberbuffet View Post
      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)?
      Last edited by Paralytic; 16 November 2020, 09:22.

      Comment


        #13
        Originally posted by Paralytic View Post
        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

        Comment


          #14
          Originally posted by gizzmo View Post
          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.)
          merely at clientco for the entertainment

          Comment


            #15
            Originally posted by eek View Post
            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.

            Comment


              #16
              Originally posted by eek View Post

              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.

              Comment


                #17
                Originally posted by gizzmo View Post
                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...
                merely at clientco for the entertainment

                Comment


                  #18
                  Originally posted by Paralytic View Post
                  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.

                  Comment

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