What are the chances of actually being investigated?

[Dandyman]

Forum full of "what if" and "just in case" scenarios for IR35. Yet I don't know of anyone
who runs a Ltd who has encountered any problems. And apart from dragonfly,
haven't seen many (if any) other cases on here either.
Could it also be that the remote chance of getting investigated gets remoter
still with things like job cuts at HMRC, and so resources for potential investigations being reduced further still?
So what are the chances of actually being investigated? Is it worth worrying about at all in reality?

[Troll]

Get some insurance against some of the more nasty investigations (I like QDOS btw) and sleep easy.....unless of course you have been naughty and have something to hide


HTH

[Dandyman]

Also read a few times it's quite likely if the Tories get in that IR35 will be scrapped anyway. So would that also mean the chances of retrospective investigations are virtually non existent?

[Tarquin Farquhar]

Also read a few times it's quite likely if the Tories get in that IR35 will be scrapped anyway.

Dream on.

So would that also mean the chances of retrospective investigations are virtually non existent?

Dream on.

[norrahe]

Dream on.

Dream on.

WHS

[ctdctd]

If you are rich enough, put it all into a pension. Then you won't care if you get investigated or not.

[mudskipper]

Found this Link dated from July 2009

But the PCG claims that, of the 1,468 IR35 investigations it has been involved with, HMRC proved additional tax was owed just six times.

Not sure how many contractors could potentially be investigated - think I've seen a figure of 300,000 out there - so chances of being investigated approx 1 in 200 (and chances of them winning if you're properly defended miniscule). However, the expense, hassle and worry if you are investigated must be horrible - I haven't taken out insurance yet, but plan to do so if it is still an issue when I renew my other policies next year - I figure the chances of me being investigated in my first year of operation are probably next to nil, and if I am, my potential liability is obviously much smaller.

[moorfield]

IR35 will remain on the statute books but IMO is now dead and buried.

How can it be remotely economic for HMRC to continue pursuing IR35 payments in the context of its enormous debt ? - a mere droplet in the ocean surely.

There are many many easier fish to fry first to plug the hole.

Like the VAT rise.
Income Tax rise.
NI rise.
Fuel Duty rise.
Passport Fees rise.
Council Tax rise.
Ciggies & Beer rise.
Corporation Tax rise.
Bla bla bla.

No More Boom and Bust (TM).

Hey ho.

[Numpty]

If I know my last contract would fail an IR35 investigtion, what happens if I close my LtdCo and start a new LtdCo and carry on contracting?

Am I then immune from an IR35 investigation?

[singhr]

If I know my last contract would fail an IR35 investigtion, what happens if I close my LtdCo and start a new LtdCo and carry on contracting?

Am I then immune from an IR35 investigation?

good grief