How important are working practices to outside IR35 determinations? The short answer is very!

In this episode of the Proudly Off Payroll Podcast, James discusses why IR35 working practices trump contracts - as shown by Kaye Adams’ successful IR35 defense.

Through exploring working practices, in this episode we shine a light on unfair inside IR35 determinations to help you better understand why they might happen. We also share plenty of practical tips on what you can do to get the IR35 determination you deserve.

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What do you think? We'd love to hear from you. You can use the link below to record a voice message, which we may play on a future episode. Or, head over to inniAccounts on LinkedIn and join in the conversation.

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A quick favour: if you're enjoying these podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider appointing us as your accountant. Here at inniAccounts, our service is built from the ground up to support IR35 best working practices - and we're founded by contractors, for contractors. We're running a deal for podcast listeners too - head to https://inni.to/podcast - thanks!

In this episode, James shares his thoughts on why being indispensable is the real key to working outside IR35.

Something we’ve predicted for some time at inniAccounts and OffPayroll.org.uk is the impact of free-market economics on IR35 determinations, and specifically the bargaining power of contractors and consultants. Put simply, if you’re running an organisation that supplies services and the demand for those services outstrips the supply, then your bargaining power increases. 

This is all about pushing hard to be indispensable to your client. Being at the top of your game, being the one who large end clients will make exceptions for, engaging you and your company outside of IR35. One thing is very clear: mediocrity won’t get you outside of IR35.

It’s fair to say that the contracting industry has already changed. The direction of the tide has switched and end clients are once again ramping up their determinations for April 2021. You might think that, with end clients ultimately responsible for IR35 determinations, you are less responsible. At inniAccounts we disagree with this. Consultants and contractors are now under much more scrutiny and are more responsible than ever for driving the determination that’s right for them.

In this episode, James discusses some of the things you can do to take responsibility for your long-term IR35 status, including:

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS!

What do you think? We'd love to hear from you. You can use the link below to record a voice message, which we may play on a future episode. Or, head over to inniAccounts on LinkedIn and join in the conversation.

LIKE THIS? TRY US!

A quick favour: if you're enjoying these podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider appointing us as your accountant. Here at inniAccounts, our service is built from the ground up to support IR35 best working practices - and we're founded by contractors, for contractors. We're running a deal for podcast listeners too - head to https://inni.to/podcast - thanks!

We once thought about setting up an Umbrella Company. So James decided to find out exactly what's involved. 

In this episode, James shares his journey into the eye-opening world of umbrellas and reveals what he learnt along the way. We guarantee you'll learn something new: the killer marketing costs, the "timesheet submission fees" and providing liquidity to agents. It turns out there's a lot more to running an umbrella than meets the eye, and it's easy to see where your fees go in this low-margin business.

Needless to say, the inniAccounts board didn't give the go-ahead to this venture.

Are you facing a PSC ban or being pushed unfairly into an umbrella? It feels like a pretty helpless place to be, and at times, injust.

In this episode, we'll explain why companies are taking this approach to IR35 (and why it's part of HMRC's broader strategy), what may happen, and what you can do about it.

We explore that using corporates as policemen is nothing new to HMRC. They already work closely with companies such as eBay, Airbnb, Rightmove and more (including a new CGT campaign kicking off this month based on this data). Asking corporates to assist with IR35 compliance is a predictable move on their part - corporates are largely compliant and supportive with HMRC's requests.

But why are they banning PSCs, instead of making fair IR35 determinations? Is it simply because they're lazy, risk-averse or think contractors are all tax dodgers? Well, there's no simple answer and there is a LOT of factors that corporates need to consider when engaging with a contingent workforce or small service businesses. We explore some of these reasons in this episode. One thing's for sure: it's a hard choice either way.

The good news is that it won't be doom and gloom forever - we forecast that PSC bans will end, but it will vary as to how quickly this will happen. We talk through some predictions, as well as helping you consider your options should you be caught by a ban.

SHARE YOUR THOUGHTS!

What do you think? We'd love to hear from you. You can use the link below to record a voice message, which we may play on a future episode. Or, head over to inniAccounts on LinkedIn and join in the conversation.

LIKE THIS? TRY US!

A quick favour: if you're enjoying these podcasts, we'd love it if you'd consider appointing us as your accountant. Here at inniAccounts, our service is built from the ground up to support IR35 best working practices - and we're founded by contractors, for contractors. We're running a deal for podcast listeners too - head to https://inni.to/podcast - thanks!

A lot of people are feeling defeated at the moment, and it's understandable. But I’m going to remind ourselves why we should be proud of this industry, why you should be proud of yourself, and why this podcast is called Proudly Off Payroll.

I discuss off-payroll / IR35 reform, the clients' take on it, the lack of support through COVID19 and how the government's anti-contractor rhetoric is Trump-esque and toxic. 

But I'll also shine a light on everything that's great about this industry - and there is a LOT to be proud of! Your expertise, your drive, your approach, the value you bring to the economy. With 80% of the UK's GDP coming from services it's about time we celebrated the small service business sector.