Bringing Hector Down From The Inside

[SimonMac]

Just got off the phone about a gig at HMRC in Newcastle, all pretty standard except they mentioned a "project specific clearance", I advised them I am fully SC, in date and active but they said this is required.

Anyone got any info on what to expect? As so far things are "feeling iffy" as they seemed to spend more time on explaining the clearance side than the actual work.

[TestMangler]

Just got off the phone about a gig at HMRC in Newcastle, all pretty standard except they mentioned a "project specific clearance", I advised them I am fully SC, in date and active but they said this is required.

Anyone got any info on what to expect? As so far things are "feeling iffy" as they seemed to spend more time on explaining the clearance side than the actual work.

Don't fall for this obvious double bluff.

They will get you in, IR35 investigate you and then present their own 'client evidence' to the tribunal. And then you'll beef hooked.

[SimonMac]

If it gets that far I am certainly gonna make sure the contract is IR35 proof

[TestMangler]

If it gets that far I am certainly gonna make sure the contract is IR35 proof

Dear boy, it's the working practices, not the contract.

Simon Mac - Your honour, I was a completely autonomous contractor, working without the direction and control of the end client, with no obligation to accept or carry out work outside our contractual arrangements.

Hector - No your honour, he was just like any other employee. He used our computers, he ate in our canteen, he slept in our bogs, filled in the holiday spreadsheet and did what he was told. in fact your honour, I would go as far as to say, he licked the same chutney spoon as all of our employees

[SimonMac]

Would you suggest cutting ones losses and going brolly for the duration of the contract or can I just pay myself the full whack as a salary through my Ltd

[TestMangler]

Would you suggest cutting ones losses and going brolly for the duration of the contract?!

Absolutely not mate. I'm just teasing really.

I do seem to remember though, that there was a case a few years ago of a contractor working for EDS on an HMRC contract lost an IR35 case on client evidence from EDS. I'll need to see if I can find it.

Ask them at interview if they know what IR35 is ?

[craig1]

Would you suggest cutting ones losses and going brolly for the duration of the contract or can I just pay myself the full whack as a salary through my Ltd

You could ask the manager if he wouldn't mind paying you by cash to help with accounting difficulties. Offer to split the VAT with him if he gives no-receipt cash.

[darrenb]

Hector - No your honour, he was just like any other employee. He used our computers, he ate in our canteen, he slept in our bogs, filled in the holiday spreadsheet and did what he was told. in fact your honour, I would go as far as to say, he licked the same chutney spoon as all of our employees

If HMRC doesn't approve of contractors, they should try running their systems without them and see how they get on.

[Wanderer]

Just got off the phone about a gig at HMRC in Newcastle

I guess this is one of the few occasions when you would actually ask HMRC to review your contract and proposed working conditions and give you an opinion regarding IR35. If they say it's IR35 caught then ask for a 40% increase to cover that.

[lukemg]

I guess this is one of the few occasions when you would actually ask HMRC to review your contract and proposed working conditions and give you an opinion regarding IR35. If they say it's IR35 caught then ask for a 40% increase to cover that.

That's class ! Great shout...