IR35 Factors, IR35 Compliance, are you caught?

As there is a significant financial cost for contractors caught by the IR35 rules, you should always get an IR35 opinion on your contracts. This guide also includes a select list of companies who provide IR35 contract review and drafting services.

Cost of IR35

A limited company contractor who is unaffected by the IR35 legislation would typically withdraw a small salary, with most of his income being derived from company dividends.

If a contractor falls within the IR35 net, the income from any given contract will be significantly lower, as his income will be in the form of a deemed payment together with a small 5% allowance to cover the cost of running a company.

For this reason, it is in your best interests to ensure your contracts are not caught by IR35.

IT contracts and working practices

The recent landmark Dragonfly Consultancy IR35 case showed not only that the working practices of the contractor involved did not reflect the wording of his contract, but also that the two contracts in the case (one between the agency and client, the other between the agency and the contractor) did not mirror each other.

In order to escape the IR35 rules, you must make sure that both your contracts show that you are a 'self employed' contractor, rather than merely a 'disguised employee' of the client.

Naturally, you must also ensure that the terms of the contracts reflect the true reality of your contract working practices.

The Dragonfly case shows how there is no point having an 'IR35 proof' contract if the way you actually perform the role indicates that your working practices are more akin to those of an 'employee'.

IR35 Contract Review Tips

- You should make sure that an expert reviews your contract before you sign it. It will be very difficult to amend a contract once you have started work.

- Although most agencies are IR35-aware, some may be unwilling to amend terms in their contracts if they are required. This illustrates why it is essential to use professionals to handle to negotiations on your behalf.

- The IR35 rules apply to individual contracts, rather than a person. A contractor may have one contract which is caught by IR35, and others which are not.

- You can also have your past contracts reviewed to see if HMRC can claim back taxes from you by virtue of your previous contracts falling within the IR35 rules.

- The Dragonfly case shows how, more than ever, you must ensure that the terms contained in your contracts actually match the reality of your working situation.

- If you have several contract renewals, it is worth having your contract reviewed even if you don't change client, to ensure that the terms of the contracts still reflect your working practices.

- Always use a respected IR35 contract review specialist.

IR35 contract review services

Here is a list of leading IR35 contract review providers:

Qdos Consulting - Service provides a detailed and comprehensive look into your contracts, detailing each clause and whether or not it lies within IR35.

Bauer & Cottrell - Employment status / IR35 tax advisors. Everything from contract drafting and reviews, to full defence service in the event of an IR35 investigation.

egos - Legal consultancy. Provides IR35 opinions, drafting of direct contracts, confirmation of arrangements (making sure the contract reflects reality), creating agency contracts, etc.