New contractor - starting with public sector client - how to pass BET?

[BolshieBastard]

Hi,

I've made the plunge to move over to contracting. I've managed to secure my first contract, with a public sector client.
Everything is on course, except for this Business Entity Test I've been asked to complete.

From what I can figure out, given that I've just started and my new company has only been trading for 2 days, I couldn't pass this test?
Am quite anxious as I cannot start contract without this being in place.

So for questions such as:

- Business premises (no, don't have premises, am a home office setup)
- Efficiency Test (no history beyond last week)
- Assistance test - not applicable yet
- Advertising: ditto, nothing spent
- Business plan test: only half true: have applied to setup new business bank account, don't really have a formal business plan doc currently.
- Previous PAYE: no, never worked with or for my client before
- Right of substitution: I guess I have the right, but not equipped to do so?
- Actual substitution: N/A - previous 2 year period.

Am I missing something really obvious here, am I just worrying about something that I shouldn't, or is this just a nonsensical test (I see they are going to be scrapped next year)?

As it stands now, I cannot see myself getting beyond a single digit score, and thus being classed 'high risk'.


Experiences and advice on this appreciated.

TIA

This is why you got this contract because most would avoid public sector like the plague.

People will tell you, you can get your contract amended to be IR35 friendly and make sure your working practices mean you're outside. But the fact of the matter is IR35 in the Public Sector is Government FUD. Dont be surprised if this rears its head a few years down the line.

Others wil no doubt disagree. All I can say is I would not entertain a Public sector contract but good luck.

[TheFaQQer]

This may help - Blog: All BETs are off | IPSE (and if you're new to the game, have a nose around the rest of the site while you're there)

They stole my thread title

[Contr1]

Who has asked you to complete the test? And with what objective?

If it's to prove you're outside IR35, then find out whether they will accept a contract review instead. Hopefully you got your contract reviewed before you started.

Yes I have been told this is for IR35 assessment- this test is one passed to me from the client (public sector org) via the agency I am working through.

I'll ask about the review option, that seems a much better option.

Thanks!

[malvolio]

This may help - Blog: All BETs are off | IPSE (and if you're new to the game, have a nose around the rest of the site while you're there)

A contract review is all they need, refer them to the above as to why using the BET is pointless. Also the BETs were never an indicator of your IR5 status and were never meant to be, they were only an assessment of your risk of being investigated. Put it this way, IPSE asked a few dozen people who had won IR35 cases to take the tests: they all came out as high risk...

[mudskipper]

Who has asked you to complete the test? And with what objective?

If it's to prove you're outside IR35, then find out whether they will accept a contract review instead. Hopefully you got your contract reviewed before you started.

[Contr1]

Hi,

I've made the plunge to move over to contracting. I've managed to secure my first contract, with a public sector client.
Everything is on course, except for this Business Entity Test I've been asked to complete.

From what I can figure out, given that I've just started and my new company has only been trading for 2 days, I couldn't pass this test?
Am quite anxious as I cannot start contract without this being in place.

So for questions such as:

- Business premises (no, don't have premises, am a home office setup)
- Efficiency Test (no history beyond last week)
- Assistance test - not applicable yet
- Advertising: ditto, nothing spent
- Business plan test: only half true: have applied to setup new business bank account, don't really have a formal business plan doc currently.
- Previous PAYE: no, never worked with or for my client before
- Right of substitution: I guess I have the right, but not equipped to do so?
- Actual substitution: N/A - previous 2 year period.

Am I missing something really obvious here, am I just worrying about something that I shouldn't, or is this just a nonsensical test (I see they are going to be scrapped next year)?

As it stands now, I cannot see myself getting beyond a single digit score, and thus being classed 'high risk'.


Experiences and advice on this appreciated.

TIA