Invoice discrepancy

[scruffy]

I've produced invoices for a number of clients. They contain the date, an arbitrary reference number, my address, what I've done, amount due and who to pay it to (me!). All my clients have no trouble with this.
Until now, one particularly notorious (for not paying) client has now queried my invoice (this after a long series of drawn out, cheque in post, invoice passed to another dept, cheque writing bloke on holiday type excuses). Their problem is that the invoice doesn't have a certain reference on it to suggest to them that I am responsible for tax and NI payments...
I've had this once before with said client, the matter was resolved by me signing a hand written statement to this effect whilst on the premisis (the 'bloke on holiday' excuse nearly backfired because I could see him through a glass screen on the phone, her backtracking and weasly squirming out of trouble was laudible).
What do they need? Why do they need it? Can they demand this and withhold payment. The invoice is for a couple of grand, I could do with a quick resolution.

Thanks!

Andy

[Eric Mc]

Whether you or they are responsible for deducting tax and NI on what they pay you has no bearing on what needs to be shown on invoices. These matters are determined by the nature of the relationship between you and them, the nature of the work you do, how you do it and lots of other issues such as "control" and "substitution". These areas are usually sorted out at the beginning of the business relationship and may even be covered by a formal contract. They should not be using it as a means to delay paying you.

[scruffy]

Thanks, like I say - I've never had this problem before. All my other clients are decent blokes who just get their business cheque book out and I'm sorted.
This company didn't stipulate any specific requirement regarding the bill, and I've already done the work.
The origional contract was verbal:

'My gear is broken, can you fix it'
'Yup, I can fix it for you, around £60.00 per hr...'
'Cheers Andy, can you be here this aft?'
'Sure, see you soon!'

Gear fixed, client working, invoice produced (in sodding January ),

That's the way it normally goes.

Bit miffed today.

[Eric Mc]

Sounds straightforwrd to me.

You have other clients.
These guys only use you on an ad hoc basis.
You would not normally be put on their payroll.
I'm sure you don't get paid holidays/sick etc.
You are in control of the work you do.
You provide your own tools and vehicle.

The Inland Revenue would not have an issue with these circumastances.

[scruffy]

Thanks Eric - criteria met - I pay class 2 conts and self assess, so what's it got to do with them anyway...

Are they trying to stick me through their payroll, cause they don't have anything in place for the ad hoc self-employed, all their other self employeds are usually longish term... Sounds like they're swinging the lead, or whatever the phrase is...

[Eric Mc]

Yep, looking for excuses to delay paying you.

If they pay other "Self Employed" individuals who should really be fully fledged employees, then that is their problem, not yours.

[thepeoplespal]

Send them a letter saying that under the Late Payment Act 1998 ( See this web page for calculations: www.bizhelp24.com/credit_policy/late-payment-calculation.shtml) you are entitled to a Late Payment Interest Rate of 12.75% 30 days after completion of the work.

Spell out how much interest you are charging per day and that if payment reaches you by a date you are prepared accept (say 5 days) the original amount will be acceptable. The difference should make them pay up promptly.

If I was you I'd try this as soon as possible and for future problem debtors it might be worth trying to get yourself a tame lawyer. You write the letter yourself and the lawyer sends it in his name and you give him £50. Works pretty well for a few people I know.

[scruffy]

I could really do with the cash, but there's a potential deal going through...

They have some stuff that I could sell on (at a modest profit). I don't really want to burn any bridges. Yet. As soon as this deal is done and I'm still not recompensed for my toil, I'll get shitty (letter of intent to start proceedings, small claims etc) I also like the idea of the interest @ 12%, tidy...

Thanks chaps.