In HMRC v Professional Game Match Officials Limited [2020] UKUT 0147 (TCC) the Upper Tribunal found that certain football match referees were self-employed and dismissed HMRC’s arguments on mutuality of obligation.

HMRC appealed against that decision on the basis that the FTT had erred in law and/or took into account irrelevant considerations and failed to take into account relevant considerations and/or reached a perverse conclusion in making those findings.

The UT rejected HMRC’s contention that the requirement that there be mutuality of obligation is irrelevant to the categorisation of the contract as one of employment or one for services, beyond merely requiring that the services be performed personally.

The UT derived the following minimum propositions:

The UT concluded that that the FTT had correctly decided that there was insufficient evidence of mutuality of obligation.

In terms of control, the UT considered that the FTT erred in considering the extent of PGMOL’s control over referees. Although PGMOL could not control the referees' actions during a match, it could exert control in terms of their overall appointment. In view of its conclusion in relation to the lack of mutuality of obligations, the UT considered it unnecessary either to remit the case to the FTT.

HMRC’s appeal was dismissed

Comment

The decision contains useful summaries of cases on both mutuality of obligation and control.

Links

PAYE Regulation 80 & NICs determinations (subscribers)
When can HMRC assess an employer or an employee for unpaid PAYE and NICs? Who is assessed and what are the conditions?

Employment status (subscribers)
The employment status of an individual worker depends on whether the individual is engaged by the engager under a 'contract of service', or a 'contract for services'. 

Mutuality of Obligations (subscribers)
What is mutuality of obligation? Mutuality of obligations has two components.

Employment status checklist
An employer (including an Employment Agency) needs to know if a worker is an employee so that they can fulfil their obligations under employment law and for tax.

Check Employment Status for Tax (CEST)
HMRC's online employment status tool, CEST 'Check Employment Status for Tax', is for workers, agencies and engagers in order to determine whether a worker is employed or self-employed for tax purposes.

FTT decision: Professional Game Match Officials Limited v HMRC [2018] TC06698 

External links

HMRC v Professional Game Match Officials Limited [2020] UKUT 0147 (TCC)