Documentation Required To See Contract

[scaramanga]

Hi,

Sorry if this is a bit of a newbie question.

I am about to move from permie to contractor and have received a verbal offer I intend to accept. I've also seen the contract between the client and the agency. The last step in my mind is for me to get the contract between the agency and myself reviewed for IR35 etc.

However, the agency says they cannot provide this until they have seen my VAT certificate and have my bank account details. Is this correct? I only set up my limited company last week and am still waiting for these to come through (bloody postal strike not helping!). These will be in place by the time the contract starts, but are not yet.

I need to put in my notice with my current employer, and am reluctant to do so until I've had the contract checked. The agency is saying it will be good for IR35 etc, but most on here say you should get it checked by an accountant or lawyer. Seems a bit strange they showed me the contract between them and the client even though technically I can't see that I would have needed to. Surely that's what the other contract is for.

Obviously I need to get moving because I will need to work my notice period and if I don't resign soon it will be overlapping into the contract.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

[Sockpuppet]

Your VAT reg will take a few weeks yet.

Just ask them for a copy of the contract. If they are unwilling to show you it without your VAT reg / bank details then they are fools and walk away.

Ask them they they want your vat reg details as you havent even accepted thecontract yet.

[Gonzo]

However, the agency says they cannot provide this until they have seen my VAT certificate and have my bank account details. Is this correct?

They probably want to check out that your co is legit before doing the paperwork.

These will be in place by the time the contract starts, but are not yet.

Don't count on it. Search threads on here for how long VAT registration takes at the moment. You can still invoice with "VAT registration applied for" on your invoices and follow up with the VAT invoices once you have the number.

I need to put in my notice with my current employer, and am reluctant to do so until I've had the contract checked.

If you are not able to handle this uncertainty then are you sure that you would not be better off staying permie? This is why agents are usually reticent about putting permies forward for roles because all too often they will get cold feet and withdraw.

The agency is saying it will be good for IR35 etc, but most on here say you should get it checked by an accountant or lawyer. Seems a bit strange they showed me the contract between them and the client even though technically I can't see that I would have needed to. Surely that's what the other contract is for.

You have some homework to do on IR35. The contract between the agent and the client is every bit as important as the one between your co and the agent. Do you still have a copy?

Obviously I need to get moving because I will need to work my notice period and if I don't resign soon it will be overlapping into the contract.

If there is an overlap I am sure that if you explain to the agent and the client that your company is unable to fulfil the contact that it has entered into for a few days or weeks due to the fact that you are still contracted elsewhere then I am sure that they will understand.

I really hope that you are a regular trolling.

If not, you have a lot of homework to do in a short space of time.

Read the first timers guides on here, the sjd accountancy website and the pcg website. Join the pcg.

Start thinking like a business, not an employee.

hth

[sathyaram_s]

I have never come across this one .. Generally, they want to see company's Certificate of Incorporation .. Have you sent them this one ? And, have you told them that yours is a new company ?

They would want to see your VAT reg only if you raise a VAT invoice ... So, why do they want to see this now ? As it stands, VAT reg can take months ...

I understand why checking IR35 compliance is important .. You have formed the company and ready to go .. So, I'm assuming you will take on this contract irrespective of the IR35 compliance ... If this is the case, you can go ahead and resign ... When your contract arrives, you may get it reviewed and negotiate changes ...

If you call http://www.bauerandcottrell.co.uk , they should be able to say if they have been successful in negotiating contract changes with your agency ...


Good luck with your contracting ..

[scaramanga]

Thanks all for the replies.

I will follow up with the agency because it seems the VAT registration is not something that will come through overnight. They have seen the certificate of incorporation so they know the company is legit.

I sent the contract between the agency and the client to SJD and they told me they did not need that for the IR35 review, only the contract between me and the agency.