IPSE Tax, Contract and Legal helplines
What is the helpline?
When you work for yourself, who do you turn to for advice on complicated matters like tax, contracts, and the law? As one of our most popular benefits, the tax and legal helplines are the first port of call for our members.
The helplines exist to provide you with all the advice and guidance you need to run your business efficiently, safely, and legally, delivered by knowledgeable and friendly experts at Markel.
Use the helplines to access guidance around:
- Any contact from HM Revenue & Customs that isn't clear
- Any contracts governing your engagements
- Any UK VAT issues
- And more
Help is just a phone call away.
The helplines are delivered by knowledgeable and friendly experts at Markel who operate on a call back service, so you can ring to let them know what your query is about, and then they’ll source a relevant advisor to get in touch as soon as possible. You’ll just need your IPSE membership number to hand when you call.
Tax helpline
Make an unlimited number of calls to our tax helpline for near-immediate answers to your most burning tax questions.
Each year, self-employed individuals across the UK are faced with a variety of tax deadlines and regulations they must follow. Even the slightest misstep could land you in hot water with HMRC. So, if you’re ever unsure about anything tax-related, the Tax helpline should be the first call you make.
The Tax and VAT helpline is available 09.00 to 17.00 Monday to Friday (excluding Bank Holidays).
What makes this helpline unique is that the advisors have extensive knowledge of tax and VAT, often with experience working for HMRC.
Advice areas covered include contentious Income tax, Corporation Tax, CGT, IHT, PAYE, IR35, NIC and VAT matters, as well as advice and guidance on dealing with investigations.
Free 24 hour legal helpline
Losing sleep over legal queries?
Around the clock but never 'on the clock’; the legal helpline provides you with unlimited calls for legal support on business matters, whatever they might be. You’ll get quick, friendly, pragmatic advice and recommendations from fully qualified and experienced lawyers.
This 24-hour, 365 days a year telephone advice line provides access to highly experienced solicitors and practical commercial, employment and health and safety advice. On average, experienced solicitors in the UK can charge you over £261 an hour for their services. As an IPSE member, you get this service for free with membership. That means the use of this helpline can recoup your IPSE membership fee many times over, not to mention the added value of speaking to someone who is an expert on legal matters for the self-employed.
What can you ring about?
Commercial Advice: Providing members with details of relevant and current legislation in respect of any guidance you may need on matters such as:
- Intellectual Property
- Small claims court procedures
- Business tenancies
- Debt recovery
- Dealing with complaint letters (asserting rights)
- Dealing with statutory demands
Employment Advice: Employment legislation is a minefield and incorrect decisions could put your business at risk. To protect our members, advice on employment matters includes:
- Recruitment
- Discrimination
- Appraisal and disciplinary procedures
Health and Safety Advice: By law all businesses must undertake a full health and safety risk assessment of their premises and business procedures. Advice is available on:
- Undertaking health and safety assessment
- Correct procedures in the workplace
- Understanding new legislation
How does it work?
As an IPSE member, once you’re logged into the IPSE website you’ll have immediate access to the helpline telephone number. The helplines are delivered by knowledgeable and friendly experts at Markel who operate on a call back service, so you can ring to let them know what your query is about, and then they’ll source a relevant advisor to get in touch as soon as possible. You’ll just need your IPSE membership number to hand when you call.
There’s no limit to how many calls to the helpline you can make, no matter how big or small the query is. Never lose sleep or waste time browsing the internet for an answer again.
Login or become a member to access.
“There’s quite a lot of resources, in terms of thinking about how you pitch your work, don’t get paid late or whatever it might be.”
"As an IPSE member I rest easy knowing that support is just a phone call away. It's an essential part of my business set-up!"
“I wish I’d known about IPSE when I first started as a freelancer because it would have really helped me make those difficult decisions.”
People who value this benefit usually go for...
Most suitable for you if
You are looking to grow your network and access vital knowledge and tools for your business.
Upgrade or cancel any time
Benefits include:
- Tax and legal helplines
- IPSE Offers
- Unlimited co-working
- Business Hub
- Events, networking & training
- Member directory
- Campaigning
- Advice and guidance
- Discounted contract review
- 1-2-1 Success Sessions
Most suitable for you if
You provide your services or products as a sole trader or freelancer.
*minimum annual subscription
Benefits include:
- Tax and legal helplines
- IPSE Offers
- Unlimited co-working
- Business Hub
- Events, networking & training
- Member directory
- Campaigning
- Advice and guidance
- Discounted contract review
- 1-2-1 Success Sessions
- Illness and injury cover up to £1,500
- Jury service cover up to £2,500 per claim
- Tax & VAT investigation cover of legal fees up to £50k, £250 per day for loss of earnings up to £750
- Managed service company cover
- Contract failure cover up to £1,000
Most suitable for you if
You run your business as a Limited company.
*minimum annual subscription
Benefits include:
- Tax and legal helplines
- IPSE Offers
- Unlimited co-working
- Business Hub
- Events, networking & training
- Member directory
- Campaigning
- Advice and guidance
- Discounted contract review
- 1-2-1 Success Sessions
- Illness and injury cover up to £2,000
- Jury service cover up to £5,000 per claim
- Tax & VAT investigation cover of legal fees up to £100k, £500 per day for loss of earnings up to £1,500
- Managed service company cover
- Contract failure cover up to £1,000
- Tax pre-dispute cover
- End client or agency failure cover up to £10k for loss of earnings
- Member support programme
