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There has always been a lack of clear guidance of the exact rules of IR35 from HMRC, though with the tightening of IR35 in the public sector in 2017, it is vital you understand IR35. What is likely to make your contract fall Inside of IR35 and what clauses you should be looking for in your contract.

If you have read our IR35 guide, you will know the importance of getting your contract properly reviewed and you will understand the potential financial implications of being deemed Inside IR35. Remember, HMRC will look for any reason to deem a contract Inside IR35, so a simple error in a contract could be costly. Always discuss a contract’s IR35 status with your accountant and seek professional advice if the situation isn’t cut-and-dry.

Here are ten points that HMRC will consider when looking at a contract. In all situations, where the contract says one thing but the contractor’s working practices are different, the actual working practices will overrule the contract.

Client and Sector

Tightening of IR35 rules in April 2017 mean that, in practice, all public sector work is held to be Inside IR35. If any company has previously failed an IR35 ruling, HMRC can deem all future contracts with the company to be Inside IR35. Watch out! These roles may be re-advertised in a different way to disguise the fact that they are within IR35.

Contract Creation

If a contract is based on a permanent contract, cobbled together from various sources or not written for the contractor’s specific engagement, HMRC are unlikely to look favourably on it. If the contractor needs to draft the contract themselves, it’s prudent to take specialist legal advice.

Control

Is the contractor controlled by the client? Or can the client determine the manner in which the work is done, processes to be followed, priority of tasks or where the contractor completes their work?

Substitution

Can the contractor send somebody else to do the work for them? If the requirement is that the individual completes the work and there is no right to substitution, the contract may fall Inside IR35.

Mutuality of Obligation

Is the client required to give the contractor work and is the contractor required to accept it? Is the contractor free to take other jobs simultaneous to the contract, or can the client veto other contracts? Is the contractor guaranteed a certain number of hours or days’ work? These are key indicators of ‘disguised employment’ and could fall foul of IR35.

Equipment & Materials

Is the contractor able to use their own equipment or are they required to use the client’s equipment? There can often be sensible security and safety reasons for this, however, in conjunction with other factors, this could be used as evidence a contract is within IR35.

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Lack of Financial Risk

If the contract defines a set rate and working hours, without strict definitions of what needs to be achieved within these timeframes, the contractor could be deemed not to be taking a financial risk. This appears much more like employment than a true contractor relationship.

Payment Schedule

If equal payments are guaranteed regularly, they will look much more like a salary than contract payments. Preferably, contractors would invoice when project milestones are reached. Failing this, invoices should detail work done and progress made towards milestones, otherwise it would be difficult to claim the relationship is not ‘disguised employment’.

‘Part and Parcel’

If the contractor becomes integrated into the client’s organisation, particularly within management, they can be deemed a disguised employee no matter what the contract says. Warning signs include having business cards, holding and attending meetings, having staff report to them, use of regular staff facilities and appearing on telephone lists.

Intentions of the Parties

To safeguard against IR35, any contract should clearly state that the client intends to engage the contractor on a supplier basis. Omitting this can leave a contractor undefended against IR35 investigations.

An IR35 investigation will rarely focus on one or two points above. Instead, the entire contract, plus the contractor’s working practices, will be taken into consideration. Although you can guard yourself against an IR35 investigation by carefully reviewing all contracts, there is no amount of clever wording in a contract than can guarantee you against being caught by IR35.

If you have any questions about your own IR35 status, or for advice on whether a contract may fall inside or outside IR35, please call us on 01442 795 100 or email sophie.lewis@dolanaccountancy.com.

Why Thousands of Contractors Choose Dolan Accountancy

With over 25 years experience in contractor accountancy helping thousands of contractors, freelancers and the self employed, Dolan Accountancy has the specialist skills, reputation and credibility you can trust.

Working closely with our sister company, Contractor Umbrella, it means we can offer one low cost, fixed fee package at £105 + VAT. This gives you the flexibility of using both our Limited Company Accountancy Services and our award winning Umbrella Service, for one inclusive cost.

If you’d like to find out more about how Dolan Accountancy can help you and your business, please give us a call on 01442 795 100 or email sophie.lewis@dolanaccountancy.com or jaime.thorpe@dolanaccountancy.com.

We don’t believe in tiered packages or hidden extra fees, instead we aim to give you everything you need, including:

  • Free Company Formation – This is where it all begins. Once you have decided on an available name, we will form your company free of charge (if using our accountancy services) and it will be ready for you to use in as little as three hours
  • Free use of Contractor Umbrella – With IR35 Legislation changes we understand that sometimes you are required to contract via an umbrella company. We will keep your limited company ticking over, while you work margin free via our sister company, Contractor Umbrella
  • A Dedicated Accountant – Your accountant will be there for any company or personal tax advice that you require. We will never outsource work, even to internal teams
  • Free Access to FreeAgent – We offer all of our clients access to FreeAgent, free of charge
  • Free Business Banking – We have decided to waive our commission so our clients can use Tide free of charge for the first year
  • Unlimited IR35 Status Reviews – We will review all of your contracts for IR35 purposes and provide you with our professional opinion as to its status
  • Free Registered and Director’s Service Office Address – Sometimes you just don’t want your home address on display at Companies House. When you sign up to our accountancy services, we will offer the use of our address as an alternative
  • Your Business and Personal Taxation Needs – This includes Company Accounts, Director’s Personal Tax Return, VAT Returns, Payroll, Corporation Tax and Dividend advice, to name just a few
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