Accountax

[pisces]

If you're pretty much IR35 they won't insure you. If you're pretty much outside or good enough to argue the case they will and would probably win. Hence it's a scenario they have little chance of coming across.

[MARTYN]

Insurance is all based on risk and probabilities and my feeling is that an insurance company would have less stomach for a fight and be more likely to settle.

David Smith of Accoutax is quite an impressive chap and seems to enjoy a good argument with HMRC which he seems to win. If you use accountax you are supporting a company that will fight in the courts (especially if it is their money at stake) which has got to be good for all of us.

[pisces]

Just had a look at thir website, they charge nearly three times what QDOS do.

Any ideas why they are so expensive?

[Qdos Contractor]

Insurance is all based on risk and probabilities and my feeling is that an insurance company would have less stomach for a fight and be more likely to settle.

David Smith of Accoutax is quite an impressive chap and seems to enjoy a good argument with HMRC which he seems to win. If you use accountax you are supporting a company that will fight in the courts (especially if it is their money at stake) which has got to be good for all of us.

Just to clarify, Qdos are not simply an 'insurance company'. We are independent tax specialists with years of experience in successfully defending IR35 enquiries. We provide insurance based around our expertise, which provides clients with the additional peace of mind that there will be no liabilities should we lose the case.

We all enjoy fighting the Revenue. Many of our consultants are ex-inspectors themselves, which makes victories for them even sweeter.

[Bluebird]

Just to clarify, Qdos are not simply an 'insurance company'. We are independent tax specialists with years of experience in successfully defending IR35 enquiries. We provide insurance based around our expertise, which provides clients with the additional peace of mind that there will be no liabilities should we lose the case.

We all enjoy fighting the Revenue. Many of our consultants are ex-inspectors themselves, which makes victories for them even sweeter.

QDOS - which way round does it work then ?

I'm about to start a contract with Hays - which I see as Outside IR35, althuogh their contract is borderline.

I have to start the contract to be able to fill out the working practices questionairre, however if the contract is a problem how do I get that changes when I've already signed it ?

[Qdos Contractor]

QDOS - which way round does it work then ?

I'm about to start a contract with Hays - which I see as Outside IR35, althuogh their contract is borderline.

I have to start the contract to be able to fill out the working practices questionairre, however if the contract is a problem how do I get that changes when I've already signed it ?

Plenty of contracts are retrospectively amended, post-signature. It's not been a major problem in my experience. You can always send the contract first for an assessment anyway (we would discount the cost of the Freelance Club membership from the TLC premium).

[Bluebird]

Plenty of contracts are retrospectively amended, post-signature. It's not been a major problem in my experience. You can always send the contract first for an assessment anyway (we would discount the cost of the Freelance Club membership from the TLC premium).

That sounds good.

I'm already a member of the PCG, however their cover doesn't go to the same extent as QDOS - is there anything that PCG offer that QDOS don't ? - ie is it worth having both ?

[doobyscoob]

How do you go about getting working pratices reviewed when your contract has a confidentiality clause? Surely the client will get all upset if you reveal their business practices to a 3rd party (especially if it's commentary on their management).

Also, you're unlikely to find out if working practices are in-line with the contract until at least a few days/weeks into the gig by which time it's normally far too late to say - nah, there's too much tax on this one and go and do something else.

[malvolio]

That sounds good.

I'm already a member of the PCG, however their cover doesn't go to the same extent as QDOS - is there anything that PCG offer that QDOS don't ? - ie is it worth having both ?

Not a straight comparison. PCG's view is that insurance against an IR35 defeat is pretty much unnecessary since if you can tick all the boxes you won't lose. QDOS take a more robust line that if you pass their criteria for acceptance for TLC35, they will cover the risk if you do lose. It's your call what level of risk you want to insure against (although you can get the same cover through the PCG if you think it necessary)

However, there is a huge gulf between the two once you get away from IR35. QDOS are probably the better commercial choice for an IR35 scenario, but the world is somewhat larger than that these days: how about S660a, the Family Busines Tax (aka "Income shifting" {spit}) and general aspect reviews? Not to mention the other benefits and the PCG's focus on supporting and representing the contractor business model.

You could make a good case for having both, but really they are no longer in the same market place.

[sidknows]

surely taking out an insurance policy represents some form of acceptance that you are indeed inside IR 35 and highlights to the Revenue that you are not fulfilling one of their criteria ie risk

It would be interesting to see how many clients qdos and accountatax actually turn away or do they simply say 'rewrite your contract and we will take your money'

'David Smith of Accoutax is quite an impressive chap and seems to enjoy a good argument with HMRC which he seems to win'

How about the ones he has lost ?

any stats on how many qdos and accountax have lost ?