I provide diversified services - how to use this to my advantage?

[vortrail]

I have just got started a 6 month contract and have a limited company. My contract passed a review with QDOS so I'm focusing on working practices, although it's only my 3rd week. I also design websites (which I pay domain and hosting costs for, as well as have the company website showing the work) and provide marketing services so wanted to know how I can use this to my advantage in looking more of a business?

I should add I'm a director of another ltd company

[northernladuk]

Multiple revenue streams across different clients coupled with the ability to work on whichever ones you want when makes you a business and I believe the business entity tests would put you low risk as well so I would say that is fine.

What I wouldn't say is that it is an automatic get out. IR35 is by contract so you could have all these lovely websites but your main contract could still be IR35 caught and you are a disguised permie and have to pay up.

The chances of you being investigated will be very low due to your business entity results to be fair but don't assume your contract is outside IR35 just because of your situation IMO.

[Maslins]

Multiple revenue streams across different clients coupled with the ability to work on whichever ones you want when makes you a business and I believe the business entity tests would put you low risk as well so I would say that is fine.

What I wouldn't say is that it is an automatic get out. IR35 is by contract so you could have all these lovely websites but your main contract could still be IR35 caught and you are a disguised permie and have to pay up.

The chances of you being investigated will be very low due to your business entity results to be fair but don't assume your contract is outside IR35 just because of your situation IMO.

This.

Working for several clients in itself doesn't guarantee you're outside IR35...you could in effect have several part time jobs.

However, as per NLUK, the risk is much lower than someone working 9-5 (or 8-6) for the same employer Mon-Fri, week in week out.

Not quite sure what you mean by "how to use this to my advantage" though? Do you just mean being safe from IR35?

[vortrail]

This.

Working for several clients in itself doesn't guarantee you're outside IR35...you could in effect have several part time jobs.

However, as per NLUK, the risk is much lower than someone working 9-5 (or 8-6) for the same employer Mon-Fri, week in week out.

Not quite sure what you mean by "how to use this to my advantage" though? Do you just mean being safe from IR35?

Yes, as outside of IR35 as poss.

The contract position takes the most hours due to the nature of the work (I'm at the stage in the role where it's currently all hands on deck although I have occasionally come in after 9 and left before 5) but on the side (i.e during evenings/weekends) I do other work which incurs expenses e.g. web design and hosting.
Also, as mentioned, my contract was reviewed and was 'safe' (for want of a better word)

I guess I would need to ask one day to work from home to see the true test of my working conditions. Would that be a good determinant?

Have any of you had a situation where the project you were on was at a critical stage and you asked to work from home?

[northernladuk]

Well the contract position takes the most hours due to the nature of the work but on the side (i.e during evenings/weekends) I do other work on the side of which incurs expenses e.g. web design and hosting).
Also, as mentioned, my contract was reviewed and was 'safe' (for want of a better word)

I guess I would need to ask one day to work from home to see the true test of my working conditions would that be right? I'm at the stage in the role where it's currently all hands on deck

You want a better word that 'safe'. You are inside or outside IR35. I don't know what safe is. Was it reviewed by a contract specialist such as QDOS or Baur & Cotterel?

I don't think when you do the extra work is an issue tbh. I am sure many small businesses work all the hours god sends to make it work. As long as your books show multiple clients with their own revenue I can't see time allocation being a problem.

[vortrail]

You want a better word that 'safe'. You are inside or outside IR35. I don't know what safe is. Was it reviewed by a contract specialist such as QDOS or Baur & Cotterel?

I don't think when you do the extra work is an issue tbh. I am sure many small businesses work all the hours god sends to make it work. As long as your books show multiple clients with their own revenue I can't see time allocation being a problem.

My contract was reviewed by QDOS (who I got insurance from). It 'passed'.
Seems like there's no hard and fast rule except perhaps hire employees to look like a biz.