About Us: Carolyn
Carolyn Walsh
Tax Advisor and
Construction Industry Expert
I have worked in the construction industry for over fifteen years as the director of a groundwork labour supply company. In 1998, when the Revenue first attempted to move more subcontractors ‘on the cards’, I set up a payroll service company, not only to handle our company’s payroll, but to provide a cost-effective method of paying workers under PAYE.
In 2005, I became concerned about the lack of information being issued to the industry by HM Revenue & Customs on the new CIS reform, and I set up Insite123, a company which provides a web based information and advisory service on new CIS. I also realised that most of the major software providers were not working on a CIS solution for small to medium contractors, so I began working with Mike Wilson, director of the innovative software developer, Evolved Software Studios. Together we provided a comprehensive and affordable CIS software package for all construction industry contractors.
In 2006, due to my experience in the construction industry and the handling of PAYE, CIS and employment status, I was named as a stakeholder in the Government’s plans to clamp down on non-compliant composite service companies. While I am against companies which seek to disguise any employment situation, I noted that HM Revenue & Customs were unable or unwilling to provide the industry with clear direction on employment status, or up to date advice on employment status case law, and felt that this could prevent correct decisions on employment status being made. I had written an employment status tool for Insite123, but on meeting Howard Royse realised that this issue needed to reach a far wider audience, particularly accountants and workers in the construction industry who operate outside the scope of the Construction Industry Scheme.
Together Howard and I expanded the Insite123 employment status tool and with Mike Wilson created Status Check, an employment status tool which unlike HMRC Employment Status Indicator, will be instantly updated with the latest case law and articles relating to employment status, it does not require disclosure of identity to HM Revenue & Customers, and provides a hard copy record of engagement for the subcontractor and contractor to refer to, should an investigation take place.
