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Greater Norwich Area, United Kingdom
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40K followers
500+ connections
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Articles by Dave
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Is Everyone Paying and Eating their “Fair Share”
Is Everyone Paying and Eating their “Fair Share”
Discussions about fairness in Britain often revolve around two questions: Who pays? And who benefits? The following…
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26 Comments -
Is CEST a box ticking exercise? No, but it’s also no expert.Jun 18, 2018
Is CEST a box ticking exercise? No, but it’s also no expert.
By Dave Chaplin CEO of IR35Shield.co.
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6 Comments -
IR35: 11-month FOI investigation into HMRC’s digital tool CEST reveals thousands of contractors have been wrongly taxedApr 25, 2018
IR35: 11-month FOI investigation into HMRC’s digital tool CEST reveals thousands of contractors have been wrongly taxed
Figures finally released by HMRC, after an 11-month investigation by ContractorCalculator into its Check Employment…
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It’s time to rally the troops and make some noise.Apr 19, 2018
It’s time to rally the troops and make some noise.
By Dave Chaplin CEO ContractorCalculator.co.
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IR35, The BBC and The Treasury = a tax loss for the Treasury? Let’s crunch the numbers….Mar 12, 2018
IR35, The BBC and The Treasury = a tax loss for the Treasury? Let’s crunch the numbers….
Christa Ackroyd’s encounter with HMRC and the BBC continues to rumble on with questions being asked regarding the…
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BBC scrutinised by HMRC but it’s the reporters that pay the price.Mar 5, 2018
BBC scrutinised by HMRC but it’s the reporters that pay the price.
By Dave Chaplin The IR35 case of Christa Ackroyd Media (CAM) Ltd v Revenue & Customs has had widespread media coverage…
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10 tax return tips for freelancers.Jan 22, 2018
10 tax return tips for freelancers.
By Dave Chaplin 'Don’t let your tax return peck away at you' is the line that HMRC is running with in its latest…
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BBC report “NHS 'haemorrhaging' nurses as 33,000 leave each year”Jan 17, 2018
BBC report “NHS 'haemorrhaging' nurses as 33,000 leave each year”
By Dave Chaplin The BBC reported today about the mass exodus of Nursing staff from NHS England. The report highlighted…
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Chinese whispers - IR35, HMRC and the 90% stat.Dec 8, 2017
Chinese whispers - IR35, HMRC and the 90% stat.
By Dave Chaplin Many will be surprised if they hear me sticking up for HMRC as my recent observations of their efforts…
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IR35 update: should Contractors press the emergency button?Nov 23, 2017
IR35 update: should Contractors press the emergency button?
Well, yes, no, maybe is my short answer. The longer more cynical answer would be that HMRC will continue to ignore all…
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Activity
40K followers
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Dave Chaplin shared thisIR35/OPW: "Silver bullets" don't work in tax law. In a tax tribunal, when assessing tax status for IR35, a judge must look at the "whole picture" of a working relationship - what’s called a Multi-factoral determination. The flaw with Outside IR35 CEST determinations is that they rely on "single-factor" logic. It looks for "silver bullets" like substitution or financial risk. If you answer one question in a specific way, it ignores the rest of your answers and gives an "Outside IR35" determination. The Supreme Court has ruled that once preconditions are met, status decisions must be "multi-factorial" and not based on any single factor. When CEST does consider all factors, the only answers it ever gives is “Inside IR35” or “Indeterminate”. By cutting legal corners businesses are left highly vulnerable to challenges by HMRC. I’ve broken down the logic flaws in CEST in our latest guide. You can grab a copy here: https://buff.ly/umUeW2u Are your determinations based on the "whole picture" or just a few shortcuts? #HMRC #CEST #CESTChecker #IR35 #IR35Assessments #IR35Compliance #ComplianceIR35 Compliance: Why HMRC’s CEST Tool Puts Your Business at Risk | IR35 ShieldIR35 Compliance: Why HMRC’s CEST Tool Puts Your Business at Risk | IR35 Shield
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Dave Chaplin shared thisFree IR35 Video Library - Straightforward Guidance, On Demand If IR35 or off-payroll working sits on your desk, you need clarity you can rely on. Our free video library gives you concise, practical insight without the noise. You can dip in when you need answers and share content with your team to keep everyone aligned. Inside the library you’ll find: - Short explainers covering the core points that matter - Expert-led webinars for HR, hiring managers and decision-makers - Practical sessions you can use for internal training and CPD Everything is free. Everything is available on demand. If you want clear, specialist-led IR35 guidance you can trust, start there. #IR35 #IR35Shield #Compliance #HR #Contractors #Tax #CPD #LearningFree IR35 & off-payroll video library for businesses & HR | IR35 ShieldFree IR35 & off-payroll video library for businesses & HR | IR35 Shield
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Dave Chaplin shared thisIR35/OPW: IR35 Compliance is about robustly killing the friction whilst protecting yourself We often see it when we take on new clients. Projects are stalling because everyone has to be hired “Inside IR35”, but the best people won’t always work that way unless you give them reasons why they should be “Inside IR35” - and SDSs can be sparse or non-existent. But it does not have to be this way. To win in this space, you need to lead with clarity. Don’t just say "Inside IR35" without offering an assessment/SDS. Provide a detailed, reasoned justification based on the actual facts of the contract and the engagement. When the decision is transparent and evidence-led, pushback disappears. Negotiation can then proceed based on the agreed position, rather than remaining in an entrenched status dispute. Good IR35 governance is a commercial differentiator. If your process is slow and creates "sludge" and resentment, you haven't got a compliance process; you've got a hiring barrier. We help firms turn compliance "sludge" into fast, clear, defensible outcomes. Reach out and see how we can help your business: https://buff.ly/M4NmhKG #IR35 #IR35assessment #IR35Compliance #Compliance #Recruitment
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Dave Chaplin shared thisWEBINAR: IR35 Explained – A Practical Introduction to IR35 📅 TODAY Thursday 23rd April 🕧 12.30pm If you need a clear understanding of IR35 without wading through the legislation, this session is for you. In this fast-paced, practical webinar, we break down the fundamentals of IR35 and what they mean for your business. We’ll cover: 1. Where IR35 came from and the key terminology you need to know 2. Who counts as “the client” under the rules 3. The difference between Inside and Outside IR35 4. How to operate the off-payroll rules correctly 5. Status Determination Statements and what reasonable care looks like 6. Practical best practice for day-to-day compliance 7. Q&A You’ll leave with a solid working understanding of the rules and what your organisation needs in place to apply them properly. If you want clarity on IR35 and a structured starting point for compliance, join us on Thursday. #IR35 #IR35Compliance #Offsets #Contractors #HR #Finance #Recruitment #Compliance #webinar #FD #HR #HRNews #Tax #HMRC #RecruitmentAgencies
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Dave Chaplin shared thisWEBINAR: IR35 Explained – A Practical Introduction to IR35 📅 TODAY Thursday 23rd April 🕧 12.30pm If you need a clear understanding of IR35 without wading through the legislation, this session is for you. In this fast-paced, practical webinar, we break down the fundamentals of IR35 and what they mean for your business. We’ll cover: 1. Where IR35 came from and the key terminology you need to know 2. Who counts as “the client” under the rules 3. The difference between Inside and Outside IR35 4. How to operate the off-payroll rules correctly 5. Status Determination Statements and what reasonable care looks like 6. Practical best practice for day-to-day compliance 7. Q&A You’ll leave with a solid working understanding of the rules and what your organisation needs in place to apply them properly. If you want clarity on IR35 and a structured starting point for compliance, join us on Thursday. #IR35 #IR35Compliance #Offsets #Contractors #HR #Finance #Recruitment #Compliance #webinar #FD #HR #HRNews #Tax #HMRC #RecruitmentAgencies
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Dave Chaplin shared thisWEBINAR: IR35 Explained – A Practical Introduction to IR35 📅 Tomorrow 23rd April 🕧 12.30pm If you need a clear understanding of IR35 without wading through the legislation, this session is for you. In this fast-paced, practical webinar, we break down the fundamentals of IR35 and what they mean for your business. You’ll leave with a solid working understanding of the rules and what your organisation needs in place to apply them properly. If you want clarity on IR35 and a structured starting point for compliance, join us on Thursday. #IR35 #IR35Compliance #Offsets #Contractors #HR #Finance #Recruitment #Compliance #webinar #FD #HR #HRNews #Tax #HMRC #RecruitmentAgencies
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Dave Chaplin shared thisSole Trader Tests I speak to a lot of businesses who have a clear process for IR35, but it doesn't necessarily extend to sole traders. Decisions sit with different teams. Reasoning is not always documented. Similar engagements are sometimes treated differently. That is where risk creeps in - not necessarily from deliberate non-compliance, but from inconsistency. Assessing sole traders properly means looking at the reality of the working arrangement, applying consistent criteria, recording clear reasoning, and being able to evidence reasonable care if ever challenged. Sole traders should not fall outside governance simply because they are not operating through a PSC. At IR35 Shield, we are helping businesses bring the same structure and defensibility to sole trader assessments as they apply to IR35. If this is something you are reviewing, I am very happy to share how we approach it and what good looks like in practice. #soletraders #tax #uktax #selfemployed
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Dave Chaplin shared thisMany businesses still rely on HMRC’s CEST tool when making IR35 status decisions. Because it is still so widely used, it’s important to understand what it does - and most importantly, what it doesn’t do. CEST can provide a status outcome based on answers given. However: 📢 It does not reflect the latest case law 📢It produces indeterminate results, leaving decisions unresolved 📢It does not generate detailed reasoning that can be relied on as part of an audit trail 📢It is not written into legislation, so outcomes are not determinative in law In practice, if HMRC reviews your IR35 approach, they won’t focus on the tool alone. They will look at: ❓Whether each engagement has been assessed properly ❓Whether decisions are consistent across the business ❓Whether contract terms and working practices align For HR teams, this often shows up as: ⚠️Different hiring managers taking different approaches ⚠️Unclear or undocumented decisions ⚠️Gaps between what’s written in the contract and what happens in reality Over time, these inconsistencies can create risk if the process is challenged. If you want a clearer view of how CEST fits into the wider IR35 framework, this free guide sets it out in a straightforward way. #HR #Learning #FreeGuide #IR35 #offpayroll #Learning #elearning #professinonaldevelopment #training #compliance #careerdevelopment #CEST #HMRCIR35 Compliance: Why HMRC’s CEST Tool Puts Your Business at Risk | IR35 ShieldIR35 Compliance: Why HMRC’s CEST Tool Puts Your Business at Risk | IR35 Shield
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Dave Chaplin shared thisIR35/OPW: Does using HMRC CEST tool give you a "get out of jail free" card? There is a common myth that HMRC will always stand by CEST results if they investigate your business. The reality is quite different. HMRC’s CEST tool is not written into law and carries no statutory authority. In fact, HMRC themselves have argued in court that CEST is "irrelevant". They said so in a case I directly worked on. Is your IR35 strategy built on legal statute or a tool HMRC considers "irrelevant"? When HMRC conducts a compliance check, they will examine your assessment process to assess risk of non-compliance, and ask to see copies of contractual agreements, together with a list of contractors, and a description of the work they do. They may ask if you used CEST, but that is as far as it goes. They will consider status primarily based on the contractual agreements in place alongside the working conditions, and apply the legislation and relevant case law. Using CEST might feel like compliance, but it lacks the legal depth to defend your status in court. We've detailed the dangers of relying on CEST in our latest report. Download it here: https://buff.ly/umUeW2u #HMRC #CEST #CESTChecker #IR35 #IR35Assessments #IR35Compliance #ComplianceIR35 Compliance: Why HMRC’s CEST Tool Puts Your Business at Risk | IR35 ShieldIR35 Compliance: Why HMRC’s CEST Tool Puts Your Business at Risk | IR35 Shield
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Dave Chaplin liked thisDave Chaplin liked thisA RISK TOO FAR? Dave Chaplin is CEO of IR35 compliance firm IR35 Shield ltd Shield and author of IR35 & Off-Payroll Explained asks if agencies can conduct IR35 compliance for their clients?
Publications
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IR35 & Off-Payroll Explained
Amazon
See publicationIR35 & Off-Payroll – explained: The ultimate guide to IR35 and the Off-Payroll legislation for hiring firms, agencies and contractors.
Whether you’re a contractor, a firm that hires contractors or a recruitment agency, IR35 & Off-Payroll Explained gives you the expert knowledge to stay compliant, reduce tax risk, and successfully defend against any HMRC investigation.
IR35 has traditionally meant a costly compliance burden for contractors, and significant tax hits for those…IR35 & Off-Payroll – explained: The ultimate guide to IR35 and the Off-Payroll legislation for hiring firms, agencies and contractors.
Whether you’re a contractor, a firm that hires contractors or a recruitment agency, IR35 & Off-Payroll Explained gives you the expert knowledge to stay compliant, reduce tax risk, and successfully defend against any HMRC investigation.
IR35 has traditionally meant a costly compliance burden for contractors, and significant tax hits for those unfortunate enough to fall within its poorly defined boundaries. Now, from April 2020, private sector firms and recruiters will bear the brunt of the Off-Payroll legislation, which shifts the compliance burden and tax liabilities onto them.
The threat to the contracting supply chain has never been greater, but with this book, you’ll have all you need to navigate this cumbersome legislation.
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Dave Chaplin
40K followers
WEBINAR: Contracting Revival - IR35 barriers removed 📅Thursday March 12th 12.30pm If your view of IR35 is stuck in 2021, you’re working off old information. A lot has changed. In this webinar, Dave Chaplin explains why 2026 is shaping up to be a genuine contracting revival – and why many of the barriers that led firms to ban contractors have now been removed Here’s what we cover, in plain English: 1. The April 2024 offsets fix – and how it dramatically reduced historic IR35 tax risk. 2. Why the case law is now settled, following key court decisions. 3. What we’ve learned from real HMRC compliance checks – and why well-prepared firms are exiting at Part 1. 4. How new umbrella legislation and employment rights changes are shifting the hiring landscape again. The big point? The excessive risk that drove blanket bans is no longer what it was. With the right contracts, solid processes and robust status determinations, hiring contractors safely is firmly back on the agenda If you’re reconsidering your contractor strategy for 2026, this session will help you sense-check your assumptions and understand where the real risks now sit. Join us and get up to date. #IR35 #IR35Compliance #Offsets #Contractors #HR #Finance #Recruitment #Compliance #webinar #FD #HR #HRNews #Tas #HMRC #RecruitmentAgencies
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Dave Chaplin
40K followers
CONTRACTS: IR35 and the importance of good contracts. Contracts are one of the things that can significantly impact a business's ability to defend its IR35 status determinations. If yours are unclear, inconsistent, or contain employment-style clauses, your business could face serious tax liabilities. The Court of Appeal (Atholl House, 2022) confirmed that contracts take precedence in tax cases. This means well-drafted agreements provide a strong defence, but only if they accurately reflect a business-to-business engagement. Too many businesses rely on generic templates or repurposed employment contracts that don’t stand up to scrutiny. Don’t let a weak contract undermine your compliance. -> If you'd like help, speak to us about our contract reviews and packs. #contracts #contractpacks #IR35 #Offpayroll #legal #IR35Shield #Contracting #Contractors #HR #HMRC #Compliance #Tax #contractlaw #IR35compliance
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Dave Chaplin
40K followers
IR35/OPW: Blending automation and expertise Great tools used by unqualified people deliver bad results. Great people using old, slow methods may produce good results, but they are slow, inconsistent and prone to error. The answer is great people using great tools, surrounded by great processes, consistently delivering results you can rely on. We recently helped a top firm with in-house general legal knowledge, but they were drowning in expensive, slow administrative "sludge." By moving them to a centralised, automated workflow, they retained governance and control whilst automating the repetitive work. IR35 compliance technology helps handle the process, ensuring the right people with the right skills and knowledge contribute at the right time. For example, the lawyers provide information about contracts, the project managers provide information about the project, and the contractor provides information about their company. Collaboration is key and helps demonstrate “low risk” of status misclassification. “Low risk” is the bullseye during an HMRC Compliance Check. It means a check will take months, not years. If it takes years, you’ve done something wrong. Do your IR35 compliance processes empower your team to make faster, better decisions, or are they "sludgy" and slow, and introduce commercial friction? Find out in 5 minutes if your processes are up to scratch: https://buff.ly/rMgyKG5 #IR35 #IR35assessment #IR35Compliance #Compliance #Audit
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Dave Chaplin
40K followers
WEBINAR: IR35 / Off-Payroll Explained – A Practical Introduction 📅 Thursday 5th March 🕧 12.30pm If you need a clear understanding of IR35 without wading through legislation, this session is for you. In this practical webinar, we break down the fundamentals of IR35 and what they mean for your business. We’ll cover: 1. Where IR35 came from and the key terminology you need to know 2. Who counts as “the client” under the rules 3. The difference between Inside and Outside IR35 4. How to operate the off-payroll rules correctly 5. Status Determination Statements and what reasonable care looks like 6. Practical best practice for day-to-day compliance 7. Q&A You’ll leave with a solid working understanding of the rules and what your organisation needs in place to apply them properly. If you want clarity on IR35 and a structured starting point for compliance, join us on Thursday. #IR35 #IR35Compliance #Offsets #Contractors #HR #Finance #Recruitment #Compliance #webinar #FD #HR #HRNews #Tax #HMRC #RecruitmentAgencies
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Dave Chaplin
40K followers
WEBINAR: Contracting Revival - IR35 barriers removed 📅Tuesday March 3rd 12.30pm If your view of IR35 is stuck in 2021, you’re working off old information. A lot has changed. In this webinar, Dave Chaplin explains why 2026 is shaping up to be a genuine contracting revival – and why many of the barriers that led firms to ban contractors have now been removed Here’s what we cover, in plain English: 1. The April 2024 offsets fix – and how it dramatically reduced historic IR35 tax risk. 2. Why the case law is now settled, following key court decisions. 3. What we’ve learned from real HMRC compliance checks – and why well-prepared firms are exiting at Part 1. 4. How new umbrella legislation and employment rights changes are shifting the hiring landscape again. The big point? The excessive risk that drove blanket bans is no longer what it was. With the right contracts, solid processes and robust status determinations, hiring contractors safely is firmly back on the agenda If you’re reconsidering your contractor strategy for 2026, this session will help you sense-check your assumptions and understand where the real risks now sit. Join us and get up to date. #IR35 #IR35Compliance #Offsets #Contractors #HR #Finance #Recruitment #Compliance #webinar #FD #HR #HRNews #Tas #HMRC #RecruitmentAgencies
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Alex Farr
SmartBuyer • 5K followers
I frequently discuss IR35 and misclassification with people regarding resource compliance. What’s clear is that the real impact is often much messier than a spreadsheet or policy document suggests and the £££££. If you put money to the side and look deeper, you will see: 🛠️ Operations stall > critical work pauses while people scramble to redefine roles 🚪 Good people walk > because they’d rather not risk being caught in the grey and wish to contract in a specific way 📉 Short-term savings backfire > especially when you’re playing catch-up with the regulator 📰 And reputational damage? You only need to be named once by HMRC… It’s a genuine problem, and when you look under the hood, more pain is caused than expected; you don’t realise it while you're focused on getting a resource in. It’s just a reminder that classification isn’t admin, it’s strategy. Are there any hidden ‘true costs’ of misclassification that I’m missing, beyond the financial factor? Perhaps you've experienced something that can help others….
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Zerity
62 followers
The hidden cost of IR35 non-compliance for Amazon DSPs — a breakdown. Most operators think of IR35 risk in terms of fines. The reality is far more complex — and far more expensive. Here's what non-compliance actually costs a mid-sized Amazon DSP: Back-dated PAYE liability — HMRC can recover unpaid income tax and NI contributions going back six years. For a fleet of 50 drivers, that can easily exceed £500,000. Penalties on top of the liability — HMRC applies penalties of 30–100% of the unpaid tax on top of the principal amount, depending on whether the failure is deemed careless or deliberate. Legal and accounting fees — defending an IR35 investigation typically costs £15,000–£50,000 in professional fees alone, regardless of the outcome. Operational disruption — investigations trigger document requests, audits of working practices, and potential reclassification of your entire contractor workforce mid-operation. Reputation risk with Amazon — non-compliance with employment law can put your DSP contract itself at risk. Amazon's compliance expectations are only tightening. The total exposure for a DSP that hasn't properly reviewed IR35 status since 2021 can easily run into seven figures when you add it all up. The good news: Zerity customers get a full compliance infrastructure built in from day one. Automated assessments, audit-ready documentation, and a real-time compliance dashboard across every driver in your network. Don't wait for an investigation to do the maths. Download the checklist → zerity.co.uk #AmazonDSP #IR35Compliance #LastMileDelivery #UKLogistics #ContractorManagement
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WILLOW PRIVATE FINANCE
1K followers
Contractors & Freelancers: Turning Day Rates Into Borrowing Power 🔷 Your Day Rate Is Stronger Than You Think If Packaged Properly Contractors and freelancers often underestimate their borrowing power. In 2025, many lenders convert day rates into annualised income, allowing significantly higher affordability than traditional accounts-based underwriting. IR35 status, assignment length and contract history matter, but with the right lender, you can borrow far more than expected. 👉 Link in message 👇 #Contractors #Freelancers #IR35 #MortgageTips #WillowPrivateFinance
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Paul Sumption
SMART PMO • 2K followers
Encourage anyone #hiring to listen to this, especially if you are persisting with #Umbrella's. The cost of getting it wrong is now potentially higher than an incorrect #IR35 status determination. #Banking #financialservices #insurance #recruitment #uk
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Joy Pilot Limited
18 followers
Contractors, freelancers, and small business owners — IR35 is evolving, and it’s crucial to keep pace. In “Navigating IR35: A Freelancer’s Guide to Tax Compliance”, we walk you through: - The difference between inside and outside IR35 - Who is legally responsible for determining status (clients vs contractors) - Recent changes: the offset rule (2024) and new small‑company thresholds (2025) - The importance of matching contract terms to real day‑to‑day practices - How to build your IR35 dossier & formal disagreement strategies Don’t let compliance become a tax risk. Read the full guide ➡️ https://lnkd.in/ecee6qaP
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Dariusz Zajączkowski
TypedFlow • 79 followers
Inside or Outside IR35? From a recruitment standpoint, the distinction has major implications. Many IT specialists value the autonomy and tax efficiency of being outside IR35. For companies, attracting top talent often means being able to offer compliant “outside IR35” contracts. But the risks are significant: misclassification can lead to costly penalties and reputational damage. 👉 What are the consequences for IT companies? Higher costs: Many companies now face increased taxes and National Insurance contributions when working with contractors. A shift in hiring strategies: There’s growing popularity of permanent contracts or well-defined B2B agreements, to stay compliant. Recruitment risk: Top IT specialists often prefer flexible, contract-based work. IR35 limits these options, making it harder to attract and retain the best talent. How has your company dealt with IR35? Have you managed to build an effective model for working with IT contractors under the new regulations? #IR35 #ITRecruitment #UKTech #SoftwareHouse #ITContractors #TechRecruitment
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Pioneer Search
47K followers
💡 A Not-at-All-Dumb Guide to IR35 (Especially if you work in tech or insurance.) With the April 2025 changes now live and more companies reclassified as "small," the IR35 rules have shifted again. Whether you’re a contractor or hiring one, it’s essential to understand where you stand. That’s why our contract specialist, Sarah Hanna, has put together this straightforward guide to IR35 covering: ✅ Inside vs Outside IR35, and how rates are worked out ✅ What you’re actually charged Inside IR35 ✅ What really defines Outside IR35 status ✅ The truth about the 2-year rule ✅ What changed in April 2025, and who it affects ⚠️ No legal jargon here, just clear info to help you avoid costly mistakes. Swipe through the scroller below, or get in touch with Sarah if you’d like the PDF version: ✉️ sarah@pioneer-search.com 📱 0203 828 6959 #IR35 #Contractors #SpecialtyInsurance #TechContracting #InsideOutsideIR35 #PioneerSearch
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Mark Jones
OAG • 3K followers
💼 IR35 Still Applies - Even When Your Client Is Exempt If you work with small companies as a contractor in the UK, you’ve probably heard the phrase: “Don’t worry, we’re exempt from IR35.” But it is not entirely true: It seems to be a common misunderstanding. Yes they’re exempt from making a status determinations, but not from IR35 entirely. Instead the responsibility for status determination lands squarely on you, the contractor. So if you want to stay on the right side of IR35 (i.e. outside), you need more than just good intentions and a promise from your client. You need working practices and paperwork that prove your status. 📄 Start With a Clear Statement of Work This is your first line of defence. A good SoW defines deliverables, outcomes, timelines, and scope. It frames the relationship as a business engagement, not disguised employment. 🤝 Act Like a Business IR35 is about whether you’re really “in business on your own account.” That means: You bring your own tools You define how and when and where you work You work with multiple clients (not always simultaneously, but sometimes over time) You’re paid for outcomes, not just time You can decline work, or charge more for scope creep 🔁 Substitution Isn’t Just a Clause If your contract includes a right of substitution, use it seriously. Keep a small network of trusted peers who could step in if needed. You might never have to call on them, but it shows you’re a real business, not a disguised employee. 🏢 Yes, Small Companies Are Easier - But the Risk Is Yours Small businesses are IR35 exempt, which can often makes them easier to work with. But that doesn’t mean IR35 doesn’t apply. You must assess your own status, and ensure your contract and working practices support it. If HMRC ever investigates, it’s you who has to justify the engagement. 📍 Other Good Practices: Don’t get embedded into client line management Use your own branded email, website, and insurance Control your own working practices (tools, environment, methods) Make it clear when you’re not available or charge extra for additional work ✅ Bottom line: Working outside IR35 is possible (and perfectly legal) if you treat it like a real business engagement. 👇 What’s your experience with small business clients and staying outside IR35? And if you're a small business, do you know what a real outside engagement should look like? #IR35 #Freelance #Contracting #TechLeadership #StatementOfWork
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Dave Carson
Dealerweb • 738 followers
More evidence that it is possible to safely engage on an #OutsideIR35 basis in a demonstrable way. Yes, it takes some thought and effort up front but it can be done - and here is the proof. By taking the more draconian approach of classing everthing Inside IR35 or just not engaging with Contractors full stop you are missing out on a wealth of flexible talent out there that can come in, get the job done and get out without all the employment red tape. Move ahead of your competitors and get your projects shipped on time by unleashing the power of this currently underutilised resource.
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Redline // fund your innovation
3 followers
Most R&D Tax Credit claims don’t fail because the work wasn’t eligible under HMRC guidelines. They fail because your project wasn’t understood by the people reviewing it. HMRC doesn’t see your codebase, your architecture decisions, or the constraints your team worked under. They see a written narrative and test it for credibility and technological uncertainty. If your narrative is vague, overly promotional, or written at the wrong technical level, it will not survive review, even when the underlying work genuinely qualifies. If you’ve ever read a rejection letter and thought: “They didn’t understand what we actually did.” That isn’t bad luck or bureaucracy, that was the problem revealing itself!
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Zeus Accountants
3 followers
Accounting for IT contractors can feel overwhelming, especially with IR35, VAT rules, and different business structures to navigate. Let's discuss whether you are better off working as a sole trader or through a limited company. We explore how IR35 affects take-home pay, when umbrella companies make sense, and what steps help you stay compliant while maximising income. https://lnkd.in/gyigAqNX
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IR35 Shield ltd
3K followers
Why many medium and large consultancies have an IR35 advantage. If your consultancy delivers a fully outsourced service, the IR35 “client” is often your consultancy rather than the end client. That can create a commercial advantage. Your client does not need to carry out IR35 determinations on the individuals delivering the work, and you remain in control of how your delivery teams are structured. For consultancies building flexible delivery teams using contractors, this can support a lean and scalable operating model. However, this advantage only holds if the model stands up to scrutiny. Contracts, working practices and status assessments all need to align. This becomes particularly important if your consultancy is planning to grow, attract investment or prepare for a future sale, as IR35 risk is often examined during due diligence. A consultancy built on a robust IR35 model is easier for clients to engage and more attractive to investors. If you would like to sense-check whether your consultancy is structured correctly, feel free to book a quick chat. #IR35 #OffPayroll #ConsultancyGrowth #UKBusiness #MergersAndAcquisitions #Contractors #IR35Shield
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Danbro
4K followers
Feeling uncertain about IR35? 😖 You’re not alone. We’ve put together a simple guide to help contractors and employers understand what’s happening and how to prepare. 💡 In this blog, we cover: ✅What Is IR35? ✅Why is IR35 Legislation Back in the Spotlight? ✅How To Check IR35 Status ✅IR35 Status for Contractors ✅IR35 Compliance for Employers ✅How Danbro Accounting Can Help 👇Check it out here! 👇 https://lnkd.in/dbavMJwm #Blog #CheckItOut #Danbro #IR35 #Compliance
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