I've recently had an email from this company asking if I will partner with them to provide CIS advice to customers of theirs in my area. On looking at their website they charge individuals for the CSCS tests and card and then state:
Why pay if it's free?
The refund comes by way of taxation return and deduction from training and education funding we advise all CSCS test takers on this by way of either your own accountant or one of our partner program members."
Now I'm no expert on CIS, but having searched the internet, racked my brains, and asked a couple of acquaintances I still don't see how they can get this fee back. Not as a refund anyway. Anyone else had anything similar? Am I missing something?!
Hi, it makes me suspicious when I see bad English or bad punctuation: "The refund comes by way of taxation return and deduction from training and education funding we advise all CSCS test takers on........."
They could be implying that the fee is a tax deductable expense without promising that it is so.
At Business Links, the search term 'CSCS' returned this website :-
I had one of these emails too a couple of years ago, I then got in touch with them.
They are very genuine, trying to do there bit to improve things for construction workers, it seems (as we all know) not many of the workers knew about refunds items, The Free Test Company services are tax deductible and all they are trying to get across is that CIS scheme should be taken advantage of.
I gave them a test and am happy to say I am glad I did.
Each month I get a spread sheet of local construction workers who have been tested or trained and allowed their details to be passed on (around eight or more), I then contact them to discuss CIS refunds and make an appointment, I have been enjoying 40% -50% new business each month.
The Free Test Company do not charge me for this they just see it as a value added service to their candidates, however I am happy to send them a Christmas hamper every year, they certainly helped during the tough times of late.
I was about to give up on this site as no one with Hannah's integrity ever posts on here. Thank you Hannah you have restored my faith in this forum and thank you again for searching through 3 years worth of posts so you can help us. I for one shall certainly be calling the good people at The Free Test Company and soon be getting 4 or 5 new clients each month.
What kind of free test do they offer? Personally I would like to receive a free test of a well known processed meat product, immortalised by a Mr M Python and a choir of Vikings.
Of course, the way that is phrased for clients is that they will get their money back. i.e. if they spend £100 then they will get £100 back.
Deducting it as an expense of the business they will not pay tax on £100 but it will still cost them (say) £80 as surely this is merely an expense rather than any form of grant.
Nice job by the company pushing this as they get their money and defer the responsibility to the accountant.... I'm thinking that someone has been looking at HMRC and decided to adopt their approach as their own business model.
Of course, Hannah, if I've misunderstood the way this works then I am quite open to being enlightened.
I'm going with the innocent until proven guilty so fingers crossed this is just a misunderstanding that your first post appears to be spam on the basis that we've had so much disguised advertising recently.
kind regards,
Shaun.
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Shaun
Responses are not meant as a substitute for professional advice. Answers are intended as outline only the advice of a qualified professional with access to all relevant information should be sought before acting on any response given.
