passed the interview, got the contract, 5 weeks later still waiting for a start date

[MrMarkyMark]

As I have always said, its the risk part of the game.

Shame HMRC don't understand it, or, even some newby idiots on here seem to have a problem understanding it.
This is why we should not be taxed in the same way as Perm, simple as that.

[clearedforlanding]

As I have always said, its the risk part of the game.

Shame HMRC don't understand it, or, even some newby idiots on here seem to have a problem understanding it.
This is why we should not be taxed in the same way as Perm, simple as that.

Exactly. Even ignoring IR35 and all the other shebangs not recognising the inherent risk of contracting is a huge failure of HMRC etc.

I used to continue to field telephone interviews (the norm in my industry, f2f very rare) until the first invoice hit my bank account. Twice I walked straight of a gig that was giving me concerns, with due cause, and started a few days later in another gig. It's proactive insurance.

[MrMarkyMark]

Exactly. Even ignoring IR35 and all the other shebangs not recognising the inherent risk of contracting is a huge failure of HMRC etc.

I used to continue to field telephone interviews (the norm in my industry, f2f very rare) until the first invoice hit my bank account. Twice I walked straight of a gig that was giving me concerns, with due cause, and started a few days later in another gig. It's proactive insurance.

As I said, there are contractors, on here, that think you should just pay the same tax and NI as everyone else.
I don't get it.

Maybe they are just not seasoned.

[northernladuk]

As I said, there are contractors, on here, that think you should just pay the same tax and NI as everyone else.
I don't get it.

Maybe they are just not seasoned.

I think that some should... Does that count?

[MrMarkyMark]

I think that some should... Does that count?

Errrrrrrrrrrrm, actually I think some should too

I meant they thought everyone, all contractors should be treated the same, should.

The thing is, I don't know how you could think a windows desk top BAU support is not just a BOS.
Project based roles just can't be compared to something like that.

[BigRed]

Project based roles just can't be compared to something like that.

Why not? Projects are basically a process of evergreening at most places and are always going on. Support is a process of continuous improvement and rolling out new releases patches etc.

[MrMarkyMark]

Why not? Projects are basically a process of evergreening at most places and are always going on. Support is a process of continuous improvement and rolling out new releases patches etc.

That's why I specified BAU support.

With projects, I meant ones with a known start and finish date, inherently different from a BAU support role, IMO.
Also, where there is no intention on retaining the contractor at the projects completion.

[SussexSeagull]

Don't permanent employees go through the same vetting process?

I know they have to do it less often than a contractor and probably while on notice from there own job (hence still being paid) but perhaps not the best example of differences between contractor and permie?

[supersteamer]

The idea often put forward on these boards is:

Project Work = Proper Business = Proper Contractor = non IR35;

BAU Support = Not a Proper Business = Disguised Employee = IR35

To me this makes no sense either in real life or in IR35 legislation.

In real life, by analogy, if I pay somebody to install a boiler (project) and then take out a service contract to maintain and fix it (BAU support) then he's still acting as a business in both roles.

The only relevant IR35 test is one of control and this is purely down to how the work is done and how much autonomy the contractor has in determining how BAU support or project work is actually delivered to the client.

I did one BAU role where I determined how incidents were handled and provided users could always access the system to do their job and vendor mandated patches were applied then management couldn't care less how I did it. I scheduled maintenance and defined my own monitoring thresholds and performance metrics.

On the other hand I had a short project type gig where I was meant to install and configure some new software in a greenfield and then clear off. I was micromanaged to within an inch of my life to the extent of the PM trying to type on my keyboard at the same time as me. Fortunately this was only a 3 week contract.

[northernladuk]

Don't permanent employees go through the same vetting process?

I know they have to do it less often than a contractor and probably while on notice from there own job (hence still being paid) but perhaps not the best example of differences between contractor and permie?

I don't think vetting processes are a differentor. Everyone on site has to aghere to H&S and security policies regardless of their position. It's the company protecting themselves whether you are a permie, contractor or the bloke watering the plants.