Loose Women panelists are 'embroiled in pay row' and are 'threatening to quit' ... trends now
Loose Women's panelists have reportedly become 'embroiled in a pay row' and are 'threatening to quit' regarding issues with their tax payments.
ITV has stumbled across various issues with HMRC and the tax paid by their presenters in recent years as the governmental department argues they are effectively employees of the broadcaster.
This has included Lorraine Kelly, whose case went to court but she escaped the £1.2million tax bill because she is being hired as a 'theatrical artist playing a persona'.
Instead of being an ITV employee, Lorraine was hired as an entertainer to perform 'the role of a friendly, chatty and fun personality'.
And now according to The Mirror, the stars of Loose Women are now in a similar situation and have been 'in talks' for 'several weeks' and have said they will 'walk away' if the 'situation is not fixed'.
Row: Loose Women's panelists have reportedly become 'embroiled in a pay row' and are 'threatening to quit' regarding issues with their tax payments
The publication reports that some of the presenters work on a freelance basis which would make them self-employed.
Someone can be classified as a freelancer, therefore self-employed, if they are responsible for the success or failure of their business in regards to profit and loss, they get to chose the hours they work, when they work and how they work and if they are free to work for other companies or take on other work.
A person is classed as employed if they have an agreement to provide personal work or services, they turn up to work even if they don't want to, or if there is work for that person as long as the contract or agreement lasts.
A source told the publication: 'They have all been self-employed for decades. Their accountants are saying no, they are self-employed… and are not going to go on PAYE.
'They’re so strict about it and we’re talking about the big players.'
The Mirror also claims that some of the presenters 'have been told' to go on a PAYE contract, increasing their 19 per cent corporation tax to 40 per cent of their earnings between £50,271 and £150,000, as well as National Insurance.
MailOnline has contacted ITV for comment.
This time last year, Lorraine Kelly has addressed her 2019 tax tribunal case, saying: 'I don't want people to think I would do anything to get out of paying what I should be paying.'
