IR35 Investigations

An IR35 Investigation is a Contractor’s worst nightmare. The HM Revenue and Customs may take months going over company records, assessing service contracts, speaking to client representatives and going in detail through financial transactions.

If you run your own Contractor Limited Company or you are thinking about going into business with your own Contractor Limited Company it is therefore a very good idea to get your affairs in order and do everything possible to prove your ‘Outside IR35’ status.

Are you a highly skilled expat Contractor? Would you like to maximise your contract income and work towards a visa extension or visa transfer? If so Commonwealth Contractors can help!

To discuss your situation with an experienced advisor call Commonwealth Contractors now on 0330 390 9021 or Submit your Details and we will get right back to you!

Why can IR35 Investigations be a problem?

The HM Revenue and Customs have the power to go back 6 years to investigate your tax affairs. If you are found to have been operating incompliantly at any time in that period you could face the prospect of repaying tax plus interest and late payment penalties. Few people put aside enough cash ‘for a rainy day’ to cover such a 6 year bill.

If you run a Contractor Limited Company you should actively consider building up reserves to cover such possibilities.

Even if an IR35 Investigation turns up nothing, the whole process can last for years and be a big hassle, and a professional distraction from running your business -, not to mention costly if you have to get professional advice or help fighting your case.

What precautions should I take?

To successfully defend yourself against IR35 you need to prove that you have been working as ‘self employed’ for periods during which you took dividend income from the company.

To prove this you need to make sure that any contracts and working arrangements are outside the scope of IR35.

Make sure that an IR35 assessment has been undertaken on the contract and that revisions are made where required. You need to keep copies of all contracts you work further to for at least 6 years if not more.

It is also important to ensure that actual working arrangements reflect contract terms and conditions. You may want to get a letter from the client confirming working arrangements (e.g. right to substitution, freedom to work from home, use of own computer equipment etc), send emails from your own computer etc

Reducing the chance of an IR35 Investigation

A full blown IR35 investigation will normally originate from a PAYE Investigation. The HM Revenue and Customs normally undertake PAYE Investigations every few years and although nothing can be done to avoid an Investigation, actions can be taken to reduce the frequency. You should make sure that you:

• Submit PAYE documents to the HMRC on time (especially P35s and P11Ds)
• Ensure that documents are completed correctly. Blatant errors may cause the HMRC to think that everything is not quite right

What should I do if I am to receive a PAYE Investigation?

The HM Revenue and Customs will notify you of a PAYE Investigation in writing or will call to arrange a meeting. If you run your limited company from home it is recommended that you arrange the meeting at your accountant’s offices.

Once the meeting has been arranged you will need to prepare all documents requested by the HMRC. Documents normally include:

• Employee PAYE records
• End of year PAYE documents for all years
• Sales Invoices
• Expense Claims
• Client/Agency Contracts

Once the PAYE Investigation has taken place you will receive a letter explaining any further action to be taken (If at all). If they have found reason to question your self employed status on certain assignments you should get professional representation and dig out all contracts and documentary evidence to back up your claim of self employment.

Find out More

To find out more about Commonwealth Contractors call now on 0330 390 9021 or Submit your Details and we will get right back to you!