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  • IR35
    • IR35 and Off-Payroll explained – a simple beginner’s guide
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    • IR35 Insurance
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    • Critical Illness Cover
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IR35 and Off-Payroll Rules

The aim of IR35 (the Intermediaries Legislation) is to tax ‘disguised employment’ at a similar rate to employment; where an individual is working via his/her own limited company, but working in a manner far more akin to that of a traditional employee.

The additional ‘Off-Payroll’ rules were added in 2017 (public sector), and from April 2021 (private sector).

Our guides outline what IR35 is, the financial cost if you are caught, and how to ensure that you remain outside IR35, and the ‘Off-Payroll’ rules.

Try these popular articles as a starting point.

  • What are IR35 and the ‘Off Payroll’ rules? A beginner’s guide – a concise overview of the Intermediaries Legislation, and the ‘Off-Payroll’ add-on.
  • Private sector IR35 reform from April 2021 onwards – How the ‘off-payroll’ rules work, and what you should do to protect yourself.
  • History of IR35 – from 1999 to date – a timeline covering the key events in the history of the most controversial tax encountered by contractors.
  • The financial cost if you are caught by IR35 – if your contract work is caught, you may be thousands of pounds worse off.
  • Factors used to determine your IR35 status – Why control, substitution and mutuality of obligation are such crucial determinants of employment status.
  • Download an IR35 contract template – some useful advice on ‘IR35 friendly’ contracts. Download a sample contract.
  • Using a specialist contract review service – why you should leave contract drafting and analysis of your working practices to experts only.
  • Essential IR35 insurance for contractors – protection against the costs of an HMRC investigation is not only essential, but also surprisingly inexpensive.

ir35 insurance

IR35 Compliant

Will your contract be caught by the IR35 rules?

Posted by By James Leckie 8th January 2021
Overview of IR35 compliance factors including the Right of Substitution, Control and Mutuality of Obligation. Does your contract fall within the IR35 rules?
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off payroll delay 20

Extension to off-payroll working rules postponed until April 2021: What contractors need to know

Posted by By James Leckie 26th May 2020
The one-year delay to the private sector off-payroll rollout means that contractors and clients have an extra year to ensure they are compliant. But the industry is being warned to use this extra time wisely.
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ir35 off payroll delay

Off-Payroll (IR35) private sector reform postponed until April 2021

Posted by By James Leckie 18th March 2020
The controversial off-payroll (IR35) changes, which were due to go ahead on 6th April 2020 have been deferred until April 2021, due to the economic fallout caused by the COVID-19 emergency.
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contractor ir35 private sector

April 2021 off-payroll IR35 private sector rules – the basics

Posted by By James Leckie 21st August 2019
From April 2020 onwards, new 'off-payroll' rules will be applied to private sector contractors. Here we explain what the new rules mean, and how you can prepare in advance of the implementation date.
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Risk Management

Practical steps to review IR35 status and mitigate risks

Posted by By James Leckie 3rd February 2019
The Dragonfly case shows why your contracts need to mirror your working practices. How to assess your IR35 status and mitigate risk.
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ir35 private sector

Budget 2018 – major changes to IR35 from April 2020

Posted by By James Leckie 4th November 2018
The stand-out announcement from the October 2018 Budget was the extension of 'off payroll' rules to most private sector businesses from April 2020 onwards. So, what does this mean for contractors?
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ir35 off payroll

Will IR35 off-payroll rules be extended to the private sector?

Posted by By James Leckie 23rd May 2018
The Government has published a consultation document which may eventually lead to the extension of the April 2017 public sector IR35 rules to all private sector contractors.
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ir35 off payroll public sector

What are the public sector ‘off payroll’ IR35 rules?

Posted by By James Leckie 7th November 2017
From April 2017, new rules came into force which mean that the responsibility for operating IR35 now lies in the hands of clients rather than contractors themselves. Currently the new legislation applies only to public sector contracts.
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Qdos Public Sector IR35 Solution

Qdos launches public sector IR35 solution

Posted by By James Leckie 3rd September 2017
We look at a new product aimed at public sector contractors who have to prove their IR35 status following the implementation of new 'off payroll' rules.
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IR35 Deemed Payment Expenses

IR35 – Deemed Payment and the treatment of expenses

Posted by By James Leckie 6th May 2017
How to work out which expenses you can claim if your work is caught by IR35 - the 5% expenses allowance and how the deemed payment is calculated.
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