PCG has launched an appeal fund for Bill Hood, to which members and non-members alike are invited to contribute.
The fund follows the recent news that Bill, whose company is Usetech Limited, had lost his recent IR35 case against the Inland Revenue at the Special Commissioners. Bill’s case was supported by the PCG’s legal fund.
Bill Hood started his business as a self-employed oil rig designer in 1996, abandoning it last year after suffering a severe heart attack. The hearing of his case by the Special Commissioners took place in the living room of his Gateshead home, rather than in a courtroom, due to his ill health.
If the case is ultimately lost, then the funds will be used towards paying off his tax bill, which would stand at several tens of thousands of pounds. If Bill wins on appeal, the plan is to fund a holiday for Bill and his wife and to place any surplus in the legal fund, although donors may specify that they want their contributions returned following a win.
PCG legal director Dr Simon Juden said, “This is an opportunity for all freelancers to rally round and show their support for Bill, whether they are PCG members or not.”
Those wishing to make a donation to the Bill Hood Fund should send a cheque, made payable to Professional Contractors Group, to Lakeside House, 1 Furzeground Way, Stockley Park East, Uxbridge UB11 1BD, indicating whether they would like their donations to be refunded in the event of Bill Hood winning his appeal. By default, surplus donations will be placed in PCG's legal fund.