April 2026 Updates

Joint and Several Liability (JSL)

Understanding JSL regulations and how Apex ensures full compliance

April 2026 Regulation Updates

From April 6th, 2026, HMRC is enhancing compliance requirements for umbrella companies and recruitment agencies. These changes strengthen protections for contractors and ensure all PAYE obligations are met correctly.

Apex Compliance Solutions fully meets these new requirements and has robust systems in place to ensure continued compliance as regulations evolve.

What is JSL?

Joint and Several Liability (JSL) makes both agencies and umbrella companies responsible for ensuring PAYE taxes are correctly paid to HMRC. If an umbrella fails to pay, the agency can be held liable.

What JSL Means

Joint and Several Liability is a regulatory framework that ensures accountability in the umbrella payroll supply chain. It requires both agencies and umbrella companies to verify that PAYE taxes are correctly calculated and paid to HMRC.

This framework protects contractors by ensuring their tax obligations are properly met and provides agencies with confidence in their chosen umbrella providers.

Apex Compliance Measures

  • Full PAYE compliance with all taxes correctly processed
  • Real-Time Information (RTI) submitted to HMRC every payment run
  • Transparent operations with clear payslip breakdowns
  • Regular compliance audits and HMRC verification

April 2026: Regulatory Enhancements

Strengthened Oversight

HMRC will enhance compliance verification processes for umbrella companies, ensuring all PAYE obligations are met consistently and accurately.

Agency Partnership

Agencies will work more closely with umbrella providers, conducting thorough due diligence to verify compliance standards and contractor protection.

Improved Standards

The industry is moving towards higher standards of transparency, documentation, and contractor protection across all umbrella services.

These changes benefit contractors by ensuring greater protection and transparency. Apex Compliance Solutions has been designed from the ground up to meet these enhanced standards.

Indicators of Compliant Umbrella Services

Look for umbrella companies that demonstrate:

Clear PAYE payslip breakdowns showing all deductions
Verifiable HMRC PAYE scheme registration
Transparent fee structures with no hidden costs
Evidence of Real-Time Information (RTI) submissions
Professional Indemnity and Liability insurance
Regular external compliance audits
Clear employment contracts and terms
Accessible UK-based support teams

How Apex Maintains JSL Compliance

PAYE Processing

Every payment processed through full PAYE with accurate tax and National Insurance calculations using HMRC-approved systems and rates.

RTI Submissions

Real-Time Information submitted to HMRC for every single payment run, ensuring complete transparency and regulatory compliance.

Detailed Payslips

Comprehensive payslips showing every deduction, calculation, and payment component for complete transparency and contractor understanding.

Regular Audits

External compliance audits conducted regularly to verify adherence to HMRC requirements and employment law standards.

Agency Cooperation

Full cooperation with recruitment agencies including provision of compliance evidence, payslip examples, and RTI verification.

Documentation

Comprehensive record-keeping of all payroll transactions, PAYE payments, and HMRC correspondence for complete audit trail.

Questions About JSL Compliance?

Our compliance team is available to discuss JSL regulations, our processes, and how we ensure full adherence to HMRC requirements.