Tax changes scheduled to come into effect in April 2016 could prove very expensive for the operators of personal service companies, and consideration to changing the nature of the business entity may be warranted.

The changes will disallow travelling and subsistence expenses for contractors who work through employment agencies, and a recent poll has led to an estimate that three quarters of contractors who work through agencies will no longer be willing to accept work outside their immediate area.

It is estimated that up to 45,000 personal service companies could be affected severely enough to warrant closure.