Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think it's an outrage employer isn't financially responsible?

160 replies

ToeSucker · 29/09/2025 13:08

Working for start up.
There are a million issues with dirty politics, toxicity etc.
My big problem is they started paying staff via revolut and are not paying HMRC, NI or student loan contributions. Instead they're just paying the net pay amount via revolut and the rest of the money is going missing.
They've stopped paying contractors too. They're ghosting them.

We just got a 50k investment and loads of people who were meant to be paid have not been. CEO insists they have been.

I have just found out CEO told other founders my ex-colleague and friend phoned him asking for equity instead of expenses money they're owed. This never happened according to my friend.

I have my resignation letter sent. I am going to escalate to HMRC etc but everyone seems very casual about this when it seems quite serious. AIBU?

OP posts:
Thread gallery
5
Original poster
ToeSucker · 30/09/2025 20:40

Cackle · 30/09/2025 20:23

You can top up the year actually, takes a while for HMRC to have that option availabile but you will be able to eventually

Show quote history

What does this mean? The issue here is my employer didn't pay my PAYE or NI and instead kept it for themselves and hid it by not issuing payslips.

OP posts:
Straycats · 30/09/2025 20:39

No it was Mark.

Original poster
ToeSucker · 30/09/2025 20:39

Applematt · 30/09/2025 20:23

But you’re not getting paid since April. Are you made of money?

Show quote history

As I've said, I've gotten paid. I've gotten all the money I've expected. But instead since may my employer hasn't been paying PAYE or NI.

OP posts:
Laura95167 · 30/09/2025 20:39

Depends on if you're a contractor and Self-employed in your contract or an employee they've illegally hired

Defo notify HMRC

HRchatter · 30/09/2025 20:38

Straycats · 30/09/2025 20:32

HMRC didn’t give a flying fig, my husband’s ex partner (both directors) robbed us blind, he used the monies to do motorbike racing around the world, paid for a shagging flat whilst cheating on his wife, said there were no monies in the company account, whilst paying himself multiple times over days. I reckoned by going over the accounts years later it was in the tune to £1.5 million. Inland Revenue and police didn’t care. It nearly destroyed our marriage because I didn’t trust him from the beginning but my husband had and lost face from his complete and utter trust.

Show quote history

He wasn’t called. Richard was he ? I hate to think there are two of these buggers out there

VimtoIcePop · 30/09/2025 20:34

Call ACAS. HMRC can usually only retrieve minimum wage.

Straycats · 30/09/2025 20:32

HRchatter · 29/09/2025 13:57

HMRC don’t care. I have one client that owes me 25 grand but they owe HMRC £915,000 since 2020.
How is anybody able to accrue that level of Debt?

HMRC didn’t give a flying fig, my husband’s ex partner (both directors) robbed us blind, he used the monies to do motorbike racing around the world, paid for a shagging flat whilst cheating on his wife, said there were no monies in the company account, whilst paying himself multiple times over days. I reckoned by going over the accounts years later it was in the tune to £1.5 million. Inland Revenue and police didn’t care. It nearly destroyed our marriage because I didn’t trust him from the beginning but my husband had and lost face from his complete and utter trust.

Pessismistic · 30/09/2025 20:24

ToeSucker · 30/09/2025 20:13

That's what I mean I'll just have to pay HMRC money I shouldn't owe and lose a huge chunk of my salary

Show quote history

No you shouldn’t op. If there deducting tax and n.i hmrc need to act on this employees should not have paye deductions then repay it over to hmrc. Whoever you spoke to doesn’t know enough. Report again until they listen to you. are you being paid through your bank account?

Applematt · 30/09/2025 20:23

ToeSucker · 30/09/2025 20:17

Haven't been able to get new jobs really

Show quote history

But you’re not getting paid since April. Are you made of money?

Cackle · 30/09/2025 20:23

ToeSucker · 29/09/2025 15:26

And I'm assuming there's nothing I can do?

Show quote history

You can top up the year actually, takes a while for HMRC to have that option availabile but you will be able to eventually

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 30/09/2025 20:20

Blappengrap · 30/09/2025 20:13

AI IS NOT A SEARCH ENGINE

Show quote history

I know, but when you do a search in Google that is the first reponse now.

To think it's an outrage employer isn't financially responsible?
Original poster
ToeSucker · 30/09/2025 20:17

Applematt · 30/09/2025 20:08

This happened to me. Years ago.

id never work for a start up again.

why have you all kept working since April?

Haven't been able to get new jobs really

OP posts:
Original poster
ToeSucker · 30/09/2025 20:16

Trying81 · 30/09/2025 20:11

If you logon to the govt gateway to check your personal tax account, does it show you working for this company? If so, what is the last month it shows payroll amounts for - this is populated when payroll submit a FPS to HMRC so it will prove if they are running a payroll or not.

To help with cashflow I have known smaller companies to just let the HMRC bill go unpaid, but it’s worrying if it’s over a couple of months worth as the interest will stack up and HMRC can force them into administration.

Are they up to date with their tax filings on companies house?

The last payment shown on government gateway is may. I've been paid 4 monthly salaries since and it's been the same amount I always get after deductions.

OP posts:
Blappengrap · 30/09/2025 20:13

TwoLeftSocksWithHoles · 29/09/2025 14:02

(This is from AI )
An employer is legally required to provide you with a payslip on or before each payday if you are an employee or a "worker," such as someone on a zero-hours contract or an agency worker.
Your payslip must be provided as a paper form or an electronic document and must show details of your pay and any deductions, including hours worked if your pay varies by time.

AI IS NOT A SEARCH ENGINE

Original poster
ToeSucker · 30/09/2025 20:13

BooneyBeautiful · 30/09/2025 20:10

You should be able to make up the payments yourself.

Show quote history

That's what I mean I'll just have to pay HMRC money I shouldn't owe and lose a huge chunk of my salary

OP posts:
Trying81 · 30/09/2025 20:11

If you logon to the govt gateway to check your personal tax account, does it show you working for this company? If so, what is the last month it shows payroll amounts for - this is populated when payroll submit a FPS to HMRC so it will prove if they are running a payroll or not.

To help with cashflow I have known smaller companies to just let the HMRC bill go unpaid, but it’s worrying if it’s over a couple of months worth as the interest will stack up and HMRC can force them into administration.

Are they up to date with their tax filings on companies house?

BooneyBeautiful · 30/09/2025 20:10

ToeSucker · 29/09/2025 15:26

And I'm assuming there's nothing I can do?

Show quote history

You should be able to make up the payments yourself.

Applematt · 30/09/2025 20:08

This happened to me. Years ago.

id never work for a start up again.

why have you all kept working since April?

Original poster
ToeSucker · 30/09/2025 20:05

PurpleDragon19 · 30/09/2025 20:03

This is awful OP.

When you phoned HMRC what department did you speak to and did you say you were reporting payroll fraud? I think it’s best to not assume that everyone on HMRC phone lines knows what that they are talking about, they have a script for the usual queries so some will not have come across this situation before and may give incorrect advice.

I would definitely try HMRC again. Maybe speak to acas too/beforehand for advice?

Show quote history

Acas couldn't offer advice beyond contact HMRC. They said I probably need a lawyer.

OP posts:
Original poster
ToeSucker · 30/09/2025 20:04

Wildefish · 30/09/2025 20:01

They’ve run out of money.

Show quote history

Actually they're currently hiring!

OP posts:
PurpleDragon19 · 30/09/2025 20:03

ToeSucker · 30/09/2025 17:44

Employed on permanent contract. HMRC say my responsibility regardless.

Show quote history

This is awful OP.

When you phoned HMRC what department did you speak to and did you say you were reporting payroll fraud? I think it’s best to not assume that everyone on HMRC phone lines knows what that they are talking about, they have a script for the usual queries so some will not have come across this situation before and may give incorrect advice.

I would definitely try HMRC again. Maybe speak to acas too/beforehand for advice?

Wildefish · 30/09/2025 20:01

ToeSucker · 29/09/2025 13:08

Working for start up.
There are a million issues with dirty politics, toxicity etc.
My big problem is they started paying staff via revolut and are not paying HMRC, NI or student loan contributions. Instead they're just paying the net pay amount via revolut and the rest of the money is going missing.
They've stopped paying contractors too. They're ghosting them.

We just got a 50k investment and loads of people who were meant to be paid have not been. CEO insists they have been.

I have just found out CEO told other founders my ex-colleague and friend phoned him asking for equity instead of expenses money they're owed. This never happened according to my friend.

I have my resignation letter sent. I am going to escalate to HMRC etc but everyone seems very casual about this when it seems quite serious. AIBU?

They’ve run out of money.

OnePearlOtter · 30/09/2025 19:56

TheKeatingFive · 29/09/2025 13:52

Report asap

Show quote history

All employees are supposed to receive payslips. I understand that is employment law. I have a company and employ people. I would suggest that you get what you are owed and leave. Asap. Do you know if they have stopped your NI, tax, student loan pension contributions. If so keep any info to prove to HMRC.

Pessismistic · 30/09/2025 19:24

ToeSucker · 30/09/2025 17:44

Employed on permanent contract. HMRC say my responsibility regardless.

Show quote history

Hi op this has happened to me you need to go back to hmrc put it in writing or report online your n.i needs sorting out they are fobbing you off. Have you asked your employer for your payslips? My employer ran a dummy payroll account and never reported any tax or n.i I contacted hmrc sent my fake payslips and they put the n.i on my account I always hoped the robbing twats would get charged but I left and they went into liquidation changed the company name and the directors so who knows. It might be your responsibility to get a payslip and check it but you cannot control the thieves who are committing fraud.

poetryandwine · 30/09/2025 19:15

Hi, OP -

This is certainly theft at an ethical level. I hope it will be prosecuted and I think you should report to the police as well as HMRC once you are safely out. But I am not at all confident it will be (prosecuted)

I think it would be a good idea for you to consult with a tax lawyer if you can possibly afford to.

Very best wishes