What is IR35?
Essentially, IR35 will affect all contractors who do not meet the Inland Revenue's definition of 'self employment'. Those contractors who fall under the IR35 rules will be liable to Schedule E taxation and National Insurance (N.I), following deductions for expenses. Income will be in the form of a 'deemed payment', following these deductions.

How will I know if I am caught by IR35?
Explanation of IR35 legislation, introduced in April 2000, which affects anyone who is working via an intermediary.

Freelance UK Guide to IR35
Freelance UK's guide to IR35 and how it can affect you as a freelancer.

IR35 Case Analysis
Visit our collection of articles relating to previous IR35 cases.

Factors Determining Employment Status

The articles below will help you understand the factors as to whether IR35 may apply to you or not depending on a number of issues.

Previous status ruling
An area often overlooked is that the Inland Revenue may have already made a Status ruling at a previous visit.

Contract
As most people are now aware a Contract can be written, oral or implied. The Contract is rightly considered to be very important as it sets out the rights and obligations agreed between the Contractor and the Client.

Proper checks
There are many checks to be made to arrive at the correct status of an individual. It is not sufficient to "pick one topic" like substitution or control and base all your arguments on this one point.

Mutuality of Obligation
Mutuality of Obligation is now a common phrase when dealing with Status disputes.

Control
This is one of the main pointers used in disputes regarding employment and self-employment.

Substitution and Exclusivity
This is probably the main point now discussed amongst Contractors, as many incorrectly believe it is the only point needed in a Contract to prove self-employment.

Financial Risk and Payment
Financial risk and payment are one of the main differences between employment and self-employment.

Equipment
This is considered in many cases and can sometimes surprise you with the results.

Part and Parcel of the Organisation
Part and Parcel of the Organisation considers whether the Contractor has now become integrated into the Client Company.

Intention of the Parties
It is often stated that the intentions of the parties is important and there are a couple of questions on the Inland Revenue questionnaire relating to this point

IR35 Links
Please find our collection of useful IR35 links here...

Further Reading
Some more articles to help your understanding of IR35.

IR35 Timeline - A history of the legislation
On 9th March 1999, the Inland Revenue issued a press release detailing how "changes are to be introduced to counter avoidance in the area of personal service provision". A brief history of the legislation.

Freelancers' Questions: Am I caught by IR35?
Tax expert helps a freelancer, of sorts, fearing the stronger Intermediaries legislation.
May 16, 2013

Legal firm defiant over alert about IR35 advice
Lawyer under fire from ex-tax inspectors over a 'misleading' warning sticks to his guns.
May 13, 2013

Why employment status experts are still best for IR35 aid
Freelancers may think the status of IR35 advice from tax advisers has changed, but it hasn’t.
Apr 24, 2013

When advice to avoid IR35 is no longer sacrosanct
IR35 advice from accountants and insurers isn't safe from HMRC's prying eyes.
Apr 22, 2013

Freelancers' Questions: Is IR35 a risk if the client was my employer?
'Moving from payroll to the preferred supplier list is fraught with difficulty because of IR35.'
Apr 17, 2013

HMRC unveils IR35 guidance for 'office-holder' freelancers
Taxman's guidance slammed as disappointing, as the 'IR35 fog' remains.
Apr 4, 2013

Taxman triples IR35 investigation activity
193 freelancers suspected of disguised employment rounded up in half a tax year.
Mar 25, 2013

HMRC set to unveil new IR35 guidance
Just five days before Budget 2013, HMRC says new IR35 guidance is incoming.
Mar 15, 2013

What January's IR35 Forum means for freelancers
Messy, unresolved issues and HMRC's unwillingness to give IR35 suspects longer to respond.
Feb 21, 2013

HMRC on track to hit IR35 investigations target
January's IR35 Forum minutes say three crack teams can claim 'good progress'.
Feb 18, 2013

New IR35 rule 'could catch many freelancers'
Government told to come clean about a potentially significant extension to IR35.
Feb 11, 2013

Onus on the taxman to define 'office holder' for IR35
Freelance company owners won't be certain of their IR35 position unless HMRC speaks up.
Jan 16, 2013

Freelancers' Questions: Is client's New Year party a red flag under IR35?
Joining client staff at the annual party won’t turn you into a disguised employee.
Jan 4, 2013

Government unveils new clause to strengthen IR35
Officials push to amend IR35, hoping it catches freelancers who are office-holders.
Dec 13, 2012

Osborne 'can't afford to ignore IR35'
Tax expert says hype about employment status makes IR35 unavoidable for Osborne.
Dec 3, 2012

Risk of unwitting IR35 victims 'on the increase'
Recruiters and clients criticised for forcing ordinary workers into limited companies.
Nov 21, 2012

MPs reignite PSC tax-saving row with BBC probe
HMRC vows to crank up IR35 activity in light of 25,000 off-payroll contracts at the Beeb.
Oct 10, 2012

IR35 is still a logistical nightmare for HMRC
The rewriting of a question the taxman doesn't even need to ask just won't cut it.
Aug 31, 2012

What July's IR35 Forum means for freelancers
Different headings add up to the same thing – HMRC investigating your IR35 status.
Aug 29, 2012

IR35 experts clash over new service company question
Bizarre or a vast improvement? Merging P35's question six puts IR35 experts at odds.
Aug 17, 2012

More IR35 News