IR35 - Paid to be on the bench?

[pr1]

Yeah, looks enticing however I'm not sure that the revenue would see it the same way. Mutuality of Obligation and all that.

Sounds like you're thinking like a scared permitractor who deep down believes they should have been inside IR35 all along, rather than a business person trying to maximise profits for their business - which is fair enough, each to their own

[BlasterBates]

What would it say in the contract? In the unlikely event that HMRC would conduct an IR35 investigation they will only be able to check the contract and interview you.

I wouldn't turn down the offer of income. You can work on the project, which hasn't yet been approved.

[Antman]

Sounds like you're thinking like a scared permitractor who deep down believes they should have been inside IR35 all along, rather than a business person trying to maximise profits for their business - which is fair enough, each to their own

You are astute, I'll give you that.

[pr1]

You are astute, I'll give you that.

Chance of IR35 investigation ~1 in 1000 (probably even less for a foreign client)
Chance of QDOS/IPSE losing an investigation ~1 in 1000 (anecdotally I believe they've lost only a handful of over 4000 investigations/cases between them)
Chance of QDOS TLC35 not paying out after losing an investigation, given it would be their first opportunity to demonstrate and advertise that they will ~ 1 in 100?

Getting down to some pretty small numbers, but you're willing to throw away hundreds/thousands of pounds of guaranteed income "just in case" ?! Play the odds!

[lecyclist]

Full credit for attention to detail OP. But I can't help thinking you'd be better applying your nervous energy to something else.