Status Audit - Eazitax

A unique fix for the driver status problem operators face

Hi, I’m Gary - founder of Eazitax.

With 25+ years of experience as accountants and advisors in passenger transport and the mobility sector, we’ve watched the industry change and have represented thousands of operators and drivers throughout the years.

You’ve probably read one of my columns in Private-Hire News, PHTM and Professional Driver Magazine, which named us the ‘industry’s financial gurus’. We also go back a long way with the LPHCA and NPHTA.

I’m very excited to offer this service for ground transport operators, over 100 of whom we’ve already worked with.

The driver status problem

If you run a business that engages self-employed drivers in the ground transport or logistics sector, you’re probably sick of hearing about ‘driver status’.

Industry publications and national news outlets tell scary tales of the growth of certain tech apps, and criticise the rise of the gig economy.

Unfortunately, many put ground transport operators into the same box as tech platforms, which has caught the eyes of HMRC and those looking to make employment cases.

It’s easy to see it all as media fanfare, but here’s the truth

A HMRC investigation could deem you responsible for back taxes and employee national insurance. You could also be taken to a tribunal by a driver, a group of drivers or a group represented by a union. I’m sure that you’ll agree, it’s not ideal.

If your drivers are found to be employees, you could get huge fines or penalties, as well as a massive tax bill.

You probably don’t have the answer in your current toolkit

For a long time, protecting yourself from status challenges hasn’t been easy.

A great accountant isn’t enough. A great solicitor isn’t either.

Understanding status law in ground transport isn’t something they teach at university, or the big 4 consultancies in the city.

You need an advisor that brings tools from accounting, law and consultancy, mixing them with practical knowledge of our industry.

In case you’re wondering – we’re not asking you to get rid of your accountant and solicitor. Our service works alongside your trusted advisors to make everyone’s lives easier and (most importantly), your business stronger.

Auditing your company

The first step is undertaking an audit that looks at every part of your business, identifying areas where you could be at risk.

This includes:

Your website
Marketing materials, including social media
Your recruitment process
Your onboarding process
Your day-to-day working practices (including internal communication)

Your handbooks and manuals
Your contracts

After the audit, you’ll receive a detailed report outlining everything in your business that puts you at risk and exactly what you need to do to fix it. After the fix, our final report can be included in your Due Diligence Portfolio.

Protecting your business

We’ll create a roadmap to protect your company from all incoming threats like HMRC and employment status challenges.

We’ll also:

Rewrite all your driver contracts in line with your new way of working
Train your driver-facing staff on which language employment lawyers look out for
Create custom training videos for your business
Teach you to keep books and records in line with HMRC’s requirements

We also work with you for as long as it takes (usually around 3 months) to ensure that your working practices make you bullet-proof against the HMRC, employment law and tribunals. This is one of the most overlooked and vulnerable parts of your business

In 2023, businesses can’t afford to let their guard down. While you’re busy with the day-to-day running of your business, you’re more vulnerable to employment challenges and HMRC investigations. Our ongoing support ensures that when something comes up, you’re already protected. It’s an investment in your business, and in your peace-of-mind.

Your ongoing protection

Advice and support for your business.

Documentation and legislation rewrites.

Updated documentation in line with incoming legislation, to reflect the working practices of your subcontractors.

Training for key members of your team, or anyone who interacts with subcontractors or limited company contractors. This eliminates the risk that staff will say something that could put your business at risk.

You’ll also get the following:

HMRC representation

If you get a HMRC investigation into the status of your self-employed workers, we’ll be in your corner to support you.

A yearly audit (free)

Changes to legislation are coming thick and fast, it’s critical that your business is protected. We’ll update you on things as they happen, but a yearly audit means that you can ensure that you’re 100% compliant.

Do you have a contract for services with your subcontractors? If yes, how recently was it updated?

In the event that you have to defend the relationship between your company and your drivers, the contract will make the foundation of your argument.

We will create a custom document for you that sets out the terms of engagement in a clear and 100% compliant way.

The biggest mistake operators make

Creating and maintaining contracts is an art and a science. 95% of operators believe that a good contract is the key to keeping the powers that be happy.

That’s only half true.

Your contract has to reflect your real working practices, otherwise, it’s not worth the paper it’s written on.

Here’s what we’ll do when we write your contracts.

We’ll review your working practices, your relationship with subcontractors, and all of your existing paperwork. Once that’s been established, we will draft your contract so that it reflects genuine self-employment.

That’s the only way to truly protect yourself, should a subcontractor pursue a claim for employment or workers’ rights.

Complete our free status questionaire!

Book a call with David!

David is our highly-experienced Business Development Manager. Book a short call in his diary to discuss your requirements.

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