SThree have launched their IR35 product

[Andy Hallett]

Thanks for the positive feedback. It's important to point out we are not doing anything to sway determinations. There is strict anti-avoidance around this legislation and for the most part how a contractor contracts is neutral for us.

The "Fried Air" comment made me laugh, to be fair all we are doing is providing a bit of education, organised process and thought leadership.

[Andy Hallett]

Seems like we did an ok job. Thank you for the support and feedback which did help shape our project.

https://www.sthreecareers.com/en/sth...for-excellence

[DaveB]

The client has little incentive to generate an outside result with the tool (except when they really cannot find a candidate in which case which decision is HMRC going to use).

S3 are instead guiding the client through the process (probably ensuring they fill in the form correctly in such a way that the answer reads outside). They are also checking that the working practices are outside (given that the contract will be standard - that's all that QDOS needs to do).

You then also have an agency that knows how things need to work to keep people outside so if things start looking wrong at the end client (scope creep, can just look at) you can be sure S3 will step in and advice the client that they can't do that...

Hence (and I'm trying hard not to make this a sales pitch for I'm not on commission) while any initial client may say you are outside there is a risk that the clients behaviour may eventually lead you into being inside. With S3 that's less likely to occur as the agency can advice the client that they can't do that....

Added to which the HMRC tool essentially ignores case law in a number of instances where as the QDOS review will properly reflect the legislation as it stands. Or at least, it should.