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AIBU?

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Original poster

To refuse to send income tax history to agency?

53 replies

NextOneb · 06/11/2025 11:32

I have been in my current job for 4.5 years.
The job I had before my current one, was with a company that went into administration.

I have secured a new job with an agency as a contractor. I am shocked at how tedious the reference process has been.

Not only has my current employer provided a satisfactory reference, as has my university and I also obtained a character reference as requested. The agency is insisting I get a reference from the company that went into administration and they have asked me to share with them my income tax and pension payment history from HMRC’s website. Aibu to not provide this, as it shows my salary history? This is more information I have been asked to disclose than, I had to share to get security clearance in a previous role…

I feel my salary history is something the agency may use to try to negotiate contractor salaries on my behalf and ie pay me less, whilst paying themselves more. I just don’t feel comfortable with this level of information. However Aibu here?

OP posts:
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SemiRetiredLoveGoddeess · 07/11/2025 23:11

Find out what the law says on this.
And Data Protection.

Only disclose any information the Law says you need to

Original poster
NextOneb · 07/11/2025 16:16

Ahh thanks everyone! Work has been manic today but I have next week off so will probably give myself some more time to decide what I want to do. I had an interview earlier today and I progressed to the next stage, so I might just suck up sending my income tax un-redacted with the view for leaving for a better role!

OP posts:
ByQuaintAzureWasp · 07/11/2025 10:50

NextOneb · 06/11/2025 11:51

They are saying it is proof of employment as I can’t obtain a reference as the company doesn’t operate anymore

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If it's proof of employment delete/black out the figures ... or give them P60s and do the same. Or bank statements with figures covered up.

Hoppinggreen · 07/11/2025 10:27

NextOneb · 07/11/2025 01:27

No and yes

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Apologies, its none of my business I know but as a Contractor with a Contractor DH and lots of Contractor friends I have seen all sorts
Hope it goes well whatever you decide to do

Original poster
NextOneb · 07/11/2025 01:27

Hoppinggreen · 06/11/2025 21:37

Umbrella company?
IR35 compliant?

Edited
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No and yes

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 06/11/2025 21:37

NextOneb · 06/11/2025 19:51

The new role is a contractor position but paid on a paye basis via the agency

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Umbrella company?
IR35 compliant?

Original poster
NextOneb · 06/11/2025 19:51

Hoppinggreen · 06/11/2025 19:41

Are you sure you are a Contractor OP?

The new role is a contractor position but paid on a paye basis via the agency

OP posts:
Hoppinggreen · 06/11/2025 19:41

Are you sure you are a Contractor OP?

Original poster
NextOneb · 06/11/2025 19:16

also thanks everyone, I’m going to sleep on it and see what I want to do tomorrow. I funnily enough have another job interview tomorrow for a more desirable position elsewhere so I’m going to gauge what happens with that.

OP posts:
Original poster
NextOneb · 06/11/2025 19:12

BoudiccaRuled · 06/11/2025 16:35

And whilst a DBS check would show up prison time, it wouldn't show offences committed abroad. So IF you have spent time abroad (more than just a holiday) they will request a certificate from that country's authorities, even if you were there working for HMG.
This is the case for employed staff as well as contractors so isn't your agency being awkward.
Whatever you do, DO NOT resign until your new contract is signed. The process can take 6-9 months.

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They definitely are being awkward, and no offence but I’m not sure that you understand my sector and I don’t want to out myself here. You will just have to take my word for it that I have had the highest level of vetting possible for my current job and no issues about my previous employer were raised, and all checks were completed in 3 weeks.

In comparison, this agency is definitely being awkward as the new role does not require the same level of checks or scrutiny.

OP posts:
Brefugee · 06/11/2025 18:00

Maria1982 · 06/11/2025 14:38

Send it through redacted and state why.

hold your nerve ! They are being unreasonable , not you.

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I'd just send it redacted with no comment as to why. And if they ask why say they wanted proof of work history and the document shows that. Any pushbike on that and I would be asking why

Friendlygingercat · 06/11/2025 17:06

I would take this as a big red flag that this agency is going to be a PITA to deal with going forward. If you are still with your current employer and have other offers or opportunities I would give them a swerve. Or at worst send redacted information. I would also be leaving a very harsh review on the appropriate sites if you decide not to go with them.

LizzyEm · 06/11/2025 16:54

NextOneb · 06/11/2025 11:51

They are saying it is proof of employment as I can’t obtain a reference as the company doesn’t operate anymore

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Give them a printout or screen grab and redact the fuck out of it.

BoudiccaRuled · 06/11/2025 16:35

HundredMilesAnHour · 06/11/2025 16:16

And also that you were working in the org that you said you were working at rather than somewhere else or in prison etc.

My previous employer insisted on evidencing any gaps in references / employment of 3 months or longer and the evidence considered acceptable was very specific and included a letter from HMRC confirming you employment details during the ‘gap’. This is because some people unfortunately lie to cover up their history which can be anything from being in prison during that period to being fired from a completely different in job so leaving it off their c.v.

Edited
Show quote history

And whilst a DBS check would show up prison time, it wouldn't show offences committed abroad. So IF you have spent time abroad (more than just a holiday) they will request a certificate from that country's authorities, even if you were there working for HMG.
This is the case for employed staff as well as contractors so isn't your agency being awkward.
Whatever you do, DO NOT resign until your new contract is signed. The process can take 6-9 months.

HundredMilesAnHour · 06/11/2025 16:16

BoudiccaRuled · 06/11/2025 15:57

They want to check you were working in the UK and not up to nefarious business abroad.

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And also that you were working in the org that you said you were working at rather than somewhere else or in prison etc.

My previous employer insisted on evidencing any gaps in references / employment of 3 months or longer and the evidence considered acceptable was very specific and included a letter from HMRC confirming you employment details during the ‘gap’. This is because some people unfortunately lie to cover up their history which can be anything from being in prison during that period to being fired from a completely different in job so leaving it off their c.v.

BoudiccaRuled · 06/11/2025 15:57

BoudiccaRuled · 06/11/2025 15:16

Aaaaaah ok, this explains everything 😅

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They want to check you were working in the UK and not up to nefarious business abroad.

BoudiccaRuled · 06/11/2025 15:16

NextOneb · 06/11/2025 12:16

I’m basically moving from one public service area to another, but my current job is a lot more sensitive than the role I’m moving to as a contractor.

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Aaaaaah ok, this explains everything 😅

Maria1982 · 06/11/2025 14:38

NextOneb · 06/11/2025 13:49

To those of you saying to redact, would you check in advance if redacting is okay before doing so? Or would you send the redacted version upfront?

Just checking as I’m not sure how to approach this.

Send it through redacted and state why.

hold your nerve ! They are being unreasonable , not you.

40YearOldDad · 06/11/2025 14:33

You're not rocking the boat. Think of this as a test to see how the agency treats you.

Original poster
NextOneb · 06/11/2025 14:25

ah, it’s just awkward because obviously I don’t want to rock the boat in case I don’t get the job. Really frustrating as I had a start date and sought a reference from my current employer, but stopped short of handing my notice in as I haven’t received a proper contract yet.

OP posts:
40YearOldDad · 06/11/2025 14:14

NextOneb · 06/11/2025 13:49

To those of you saying to redact, would you check in advance if redacting is okay before doing so? Or would you send the redacted version upfront?

Just checking as I’m not sure how to approach this.

Just send it redacted. The only reason they want it is to negotiate your pay and lap up the cream for themselves.

Legally, they have no basis to ask for it. And if they do ask for it, ask them what legal reason they are requesting it for - Do this in writing. They sound like utter tosh.

Original poster
NextOneb · 06/11/2025 13:49

To those of you saying to redact, would you check in advance if redacting is okay before doing so? Or would you send the redacted version upfront?

Just checking as I’m not sure how to approach this.

OP posts:
Brefugee · 06/11/2025 13:23

40YearOldDad · 06/11/2025 12:08

A quick reply along the lines of

I’m happy to provide proof of employment. For data privacy reasons, I’ll provide documentation that shows my previous employer's name and payment dates. Still, I will redact any financial details that are not necessary for work verification, in line with the GDPR.

It's then up to them to justify why they might need a specific amount. I can't see any justifiable reason they could need to see your previous earnings.

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i wouldn'T even say that. I would send, with clenched teeth, the documentation with all private details redacted. And that would be it.

40YearOldDad · 06/11/2025 13:22

NextOneb · 06/11/2025 13:04

I’ll probably just send what she’s asked for, although she hasn’t provided a reason for why she wants that level of income detail.

I feel like I’m walking on eggshells if I ask for clarification or redact, like she’ll ask for the non-redacted version next.

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I've just asked, and there's no legal basis for them to ask for previous salary, and if they say there is, ask them which law. Frankly, at this point, I'd be looking for a new agency or contacting the work placement directly and asking them the same questions.

TheFormidableMrsC · 06/11/2025 13:21

NextOneb · 06/11/2025 13:04

I’ll probably just send what she’s asked for, although she hasn’t provided a reason for why she wants that level of income detail.

I feel like I’m walking on eggshells if I ask for clarification or redact, like she’ll ask for the non-redacted version next.

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I absolutely would not do this! It’s none of their business. Redacted or nothing. They do not need that information.