Freelancers group, the Professional Contractors Group (PCG) will take its long-running battle to get the IR35 tax laws scrapped to the annual party conferences this autumn.

The PCG has joined forces with the Work Foundation to press the case for recognition of freelancers.

PCG chairman David Ramsden said: 'The Government pays great attention to the self-employed when it comes to tax," continued Mr Ramsden. "IR35, the so-called 'freelancers' tax' is enforced vigorously. Yet many freelancers do not understand the tax and may be incurring unnecessary financial penalties.'

PCG said it had handled 1,440 IR35 cases on behalf of its members, of which only four were found to fall within the scope of IR35.

'This is a waste of taxpayers' money, tax inspectors' time and is appallingly stressful and financially damaging for genuine freelancers trying to run a business,' Ramsden added.

Further reading:

Tory scrapping of IR35 'just an idea'

Tories pledge support for contractors

PCG: Freelancers don't trust taxman