The Small Consultancies Guide to IR35 - 3 essential steps to maximise value
How contractors can grow a small consultancy and adhere to IR35 compliance to maximise the sale value.
HMRC are cracking down on IR35 non-compliance. Our expert-led IR35 audit means you can address any risk to your business before it's uncovered by an HMRC investigation.
Get in touch to find out how we can help.
IR35 status
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years' IR35
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The UK's first
IR35 status tool
“IR35 Shield's expert consultancy as part of one of our acquisitions gave us total confidence. They directed us throughout the process, ensuring any IR35 risks were assessed and minimised and that we were fully prepared for all required actions.”
Chief Talent Officer - Kerv
With HMRC cracking down on IR35 non-compliance, failing to understand your risk could leave your business exposed to tax bills, penalties and the reputational damage of an investigation.
Arm yourself with knowledge using our experts. We can shore up your past, analyse your present processes and point you to an IR35 compliant future.
An IR35 defence team with proven experience successfully defending enquiries from inception to tax tribunal. The team’s forensic fact-finding methods have been developed from comprehensive technical input, analysis and know-how of the status domain, with the primary aim of seeking early closure.
Chris has three decades of experience, including many years at HMRC, where he managed teams of status inspectors, working with Brian Hall (Hall v Lorimer) and Graeme Young (Usetech v Young). A formidable defence adversary specialising in forensic analysis to build defendable positions referencing corroborated fact patterns.
Dave has been engrossed in IR35 technical matters for two decades. His focus is staying on the cutting edge of the case law. He regularly attends tax and employment tribunals to understand emerging arguments and latest interpretation on status matters.
In recent years dealing with IR35 and off-payroll enquiries has become highly specialised work. Robust IR35 compliance now depends on a comprehensive knowledge of the relevant statute, evolving case law and experience of defending HMRC status enquiries all the way to tax tribunal. With our decades of experience, you can be confident you've hired the right team.
We start by gathering key information in line with how HMRC approach their status enquiries.
We will focus on areas of strength and weakness with drill down into material areas, based on arguments HMRC currently use in tax tribunals.
A detailed evaluation process is conducted, based on the facts and current case law.
This helps identify any determinations that may be subject to challenge, how they might be challenged and if reasonable care has been taken.
We will provide you with a detailed report using a risk-based approach, clearly identifying areas of strength and weakness.
Our recommendations will help you strengthen your compliance activity and maximise the chances of early closure of any compliance check.
If you've used HMRC's CEST tool to determine an Outside IR35 status, flaws in the tool may put you at risk of not adhering to reasonable care. Use our simple checker tool to find out if you're affected.
Check your CEST IR35 result freeWe lead the way with technology, introducing the first IR35 status tool in 2009. Our technological innovations make its level of detail unparalleled, and you can trust our tool to accurately determine IR35 status each and every time. We ensure our tools are always up to date by attending all the tribunals and following the latest IR35 cases.
Chat with an expert about our IR35 status toolsThe team successfully defended IT Contractor Richard Alcock at First-tier Tribunal, which defeated two barristers representing HMRC Solicitor’s Office. Chris and Dave worked together for 18 months to build the case defence before defending during a four day hearing. They succeeded in countering HMRC’s IR35 Opinion and extended time assessments with the Judge upholding RALC’s appeals.
When a long-time client of IR35 Shield received notice of an IR35 investigation by HMRC, the company turned to IR35 Shield's compliance experts for representation. Within months, the investigation was closed with no tax bill.
Dave and Chris are currently managing a range of IR35 enquiries and also offer consulting for businesses to help ensure their procedures and processes achieve defendable positions in light of the new off-payroll working legislation.
Don't just take it from us, listen to some of the reasons our partners recommend IR35 Shield.
“IR35 Shield saves us time, and its robustness leaves us comfortable in the knowledge that our workers have been assessed properly.”
Debbie Chinn
HR Advisor - PGA
“The peace of mind our team gets from knowing that the relationship between all parties is compliant means we have one less thing to worry about.”
Richard Mossman
CEO - Colehouse group
“The assessment being weighted fairly across all factors gives us the confidence to reassure our clients that the outcome is correct.”
Katherine Miller
Head of Legal and Audit - La Fosse
We keep our finger on the pulse of IR35. You can trust our advice and guidance is always up to date.
The off-payroll rules apply only to contracts where either the client is a UK tax resident or the work is carried out in the UK...
Read moreThe IR35 reforms that came into effect in April 2021 do not affect small companies. Nonetheless, some small companies...
Read moreIR35 status assessments delivered to our customers. And counting.
The average recommendation score from our customers.
The year we built and released the UK's first IR35 status tool.
Definitive IR35 status results. Inside or outside IR35, no indeterminates.
Over 20 years of experience at the cutting-edge of IR35.
Defence cost cover available with our Tax Investigation Service.