Ronda.vet co-founders Ibra Hernando and Dimitra Sepou.

'Tax Changes Could Land Your Practice With Someone Else's Bills', Warns Vet Founder

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Posted
20th March, 2026 10h21

As new legislation places financial responsibility for umbrella company tax failures squarely on end clients, Ibra Hernando from Ronda.vet calls for supply chain transparency

Veterinary practices are being urged to take action ahead of the introduction of new HMRC rules which could make them responsible for the unpaid tax bills of their locum providers.

From April 6, 2026, umbrella companies, along with the agencies or end clients using them, will become jointly liable for unpaid PAYE tax. 

This means if an umbrella company fails to pay HMRC, the liability can be passed directly to the end client – the veterinary practice. 

For a sector already navigating workforce pressures and the ongoing Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) investigation, this new layer of financial risk demands urgent attention, the founder of an innovative platform connecting vet practices with locums has warned. 

Ibra Hernando, co-founder of Ronda.vet and an experienced veterinary surgeon, said: “These legislative changes reinforce something we’ve believed from the start – that transparency in the locum supply chain isn’t just good practice but a legal necessity. 

“Many practices use umbrella companies without fully understanding where liability sits. From April, ignorance won’t protect a practice from a significant unexpected tax bill if a provider further up the chain fails to pay HMRC. 

“These changes are a bit of a wake-up call for the entire profession to know exactly how their locum staff are being paid.” 

The new rules apply to any payments made to workers employed by an umbrella company on or after April 6. Crucially, HMRC could potentially pursue the end client for unpaid tax without first exhausting recovery options against the non-compliant umbrella company or agency. 

For veterinary practices, this creates two key scenarios. If it is using an agency then the recruiters will generally be liable first, while if the practice is contracting directly with an umbrella company, the liability falls squarely at their door. 

CONNECTING PROFESSIONALS

Ronda’s direct, SaaS-based model offers practices and locums greater visibility over their working relationships and by connecting vets, nurses, and practices directly, without multiple intermediaries, the platform reduces the complexity which can obscure liability in longer supply chains. 

Since its launch in summer 2025, Ronda has registered more than 1,800 users across more than 100 UK practices, demonstrating a clear appetite within the profession for a more transparent approach to temporary staffing.

With the April deadline fast approaching, along with the Easter holiday and, for many practices, a need to cover shifts, Ibra said he and the team at Ronda have a few tips to help companies prepare. 

Ibra said: “Auditing your current supply chain may sound rudimentary but it’s key to identify every locum or temporary staff member and establish how they are engaged and paid. 

“It would also be pertinent to review contracts with agencies and check whether warranties and indemnities are in place to protect the practice if an agency’s chosen umbrella company fails.

“Also, consider direct engagement. Our platform enables practices to connect directly with locums, reducing the number of intermediaries in the chain.” 

Ronda’s 24/7 accessibility, direct booking system and mutual review process are designed to support the profession through periods of change and pressure, such as those approaching in April. 

“The veterinary profession has shown remarkable resilience,” added Ibra. “These legislative changes are another challenge, but they’re also an opportunity to build a more transparent, sustainable approach to locum work. We’re here to support that shift.” 

For more information about Ronda Vet, or to join its growing community of practices and locum professionals, visit www.ronda.vet. 

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