Taxi Driver Online

taxi point article

and yes I know Stuart that much of this is in the above thread but thought a seperate thread justified as it clarifies the issues a little in my opinion

https://www.taxi-point.co.uk/post/hmrc-confirms-all-taxi-and-phv-operators-using-software-are-included-in-new-digital-platform-drive

HMRC confirms ALL taxi and PHV operators using software are included in new ‘Digital Platform’ driver reporting rules



AI generated image

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has revealed all private hire and taxi operators that offer any of their services via a digital platform, however big or small, are obligated to gather, verify, and disclose driver information and income.


Starting 1 January 2024, these digital platforms, encompassing websites, mobile applications, and any form of software facilitating online transactions, are required to record seller activities annually. The details must then be reported to HMRC by 31 January of the following year as part of new ‘Reporting Rules for Digital Platforms’.

This directive is part of HMRC's broader strategy to tighten the noose on tax evasion and ensure a level playing field between online sellers and traditional businesses. TaxiPoint approached HMRC after confusion arose in the industry over whether all taxi and private hire industry operators using software fall into the ‘gig economy’ digital platform legislation.


The definition of a platform under the new guidelines is broad, capturing any digital medium that connects sellers (in this instance, the driver) with customers for the provision of services or sale of goods. This includes platforms that are directly or indirectly involved in transactions and know the amount paid to sellers for their services or goods. The criteria is set to encompass a wide range of digital business models, leaving little room for companies to sidestep these obligations.


Companies utilising digital platforms for business operations are now urged by HMRC to assess whether their software aligns with the criteria. This is particularly relevant for platforms that facilitate direct interactions between service providers like drivers and their customers. According to HMRC, there will be no exemptions, even for smaller platforms, highlighting the inclusive approach the Government agency is taking.


HMRC has also released guidance for digital platform operators to help them determine their responsibilities under the new regulations. A HMRC spokesperson said: “Digital platforms are required to share information with us to ensure businesses operating via these platforms pay the correct amount of tax, and do not have an unfair tax advantage over high street and other traditional businesses.”

This move is seen as a step towards modernising the tax system to keep pace with the evolving digital economy and ensuring that all businesses contribute their fair share to the public coffers.


SO, IS MY TAXI OR PRIVATE HIRE VEHICLE DISPATCH BOOKING SYSTEM INCLUDED IN THE NEW RULES?

Under the new rules, HMRC have confirmed that a platform is defined as: “Any software, including a website or part thereof and applications, including mobile applications, accessible by users and allowing Sellers to be connected to other users for the provision of Relevant Services or the sale of Goods, directly or indirectly, to such users.”


Key to the definition is that software will qualify as a platform if:

It is accessible by users and allows Sellers (i.e. drivers) to be connected to other users (customers), and

It facilitates the provision of goods or services by Sellers (drivers) to their customers, and

The amount of payment made to the Seller (drivers) for the provision of goods or services is known or reasonably knowable by the Platform Operator.

Operators should consider, for example, if drivers register on the software and if customers are able to access the software to book a driver. If all the above criteria are met, then software would likely be in scope of the

rules. If not, then it is unlikely it will be in scope. There is no exemption for smaller platforms.

HMRC has published guidance which digital platform operators should use to determine whether they are in scope of the rules.

_________________
Taxis Are Public Transport too

Join the campaign to get April fools jokes banned for 364 days a year !

Basically they are just saying that if operators (the English version) can record driver payments via digital means, then you must keep a record.

It means SWF to drivers in my opinion.

_________________
IDFIMH

Not really sure precisely what you mean, Sussex, but I suppose it might depend on whether it's cash or card payments, and whether the card payments are made through the driver's own system (like Zettle) or whether the automated payment goes through the operator's system.

But it's not just about fares anyway - it's more generally about recorded 'information', so even if cash fares aren't recorded (say), then the fact that a driver is simply on the operator's system may have to be disclosed, which may catch out a few (assuming they haven't been caught out by the 'conditionality' checks already).

And there's also the phrase "The amount of payment made to the Seller (drivers) for the provision of goods or services is known or reasonably knowable by the Platform Operator."

Of course, it may be different for metered PHV runs in B&H (say), but if the norm elsewhere is that private hire fares should be agreed in advance by the operator...

So it won't be all encompassing in the way that Uber is with all payments known to (and recorded by) the operator. But it looks like HMRC trying to bring as much of the sector under this umbrella as is possible.

But, of course, just like the old pen and paper trade and cash-only stuff, it'll simply facilitate HMRC checks, I'd guess - it won't automatically mean that every penny taken by every driver will be known to HMRC, or subject to close scrutiny