Reply to: HMRC IR35 contract review service

[jamesbrown]

I am struggling to believe this is the case and it most certainly can't be the norm... I'd put this down as a one off rather than an indication of the real situation until I get more feedback,

Four months may not be typical, but the problems with this service have been flagged before now.

[northernladuk]

I am struggling to believe this is the case and it most certainly can't be the norm... I'd put this down as a one off rather than an indication of the real situation until I get more feedback,

[NibblyPig]

HMRC is trolling something fierce if it takes 4 months and still doesn't give a response on a contract review

[n123]

More clarification on how 4 months

Just to make things clear, the total duration I count was from the first email i sent to the last response i received. Between these, there have been multiple communication exchanges, even direct phone calls with the person, for missing documents / contact of agency personnel, etc. I must say, the hmrc contact was very professional and helpful to make me understand each of the items that they needed clearly. I think it could also have been my agency delaying responses, which I do not have a way to know for sure.

[BolshieBastard]

Which client co would wait 4 months on a contract review?

Hmmm, HMRC at Telford perhaps!?

[NickNick]

Which client co would wait 4 months on a contract review?

[jamesbrown]

Interesting feedback, thanks for this.

Agreed. The problem has been flagged in the IR35 Forum, but it's always interesting to hear about real cases. Clearly, not fit for purpose. Four months?

[mudskipper]

As a newbie, didn't know how to get my contract reviewed and get 'peace of mind' - so, i sent it to hmrc. The process has been very very slow (after about 4 months of to-and-fro, and them requiring contract between my agency and client, to which I had to say 'no more' - as it seemed never ending process) - the situation is i still do not know if my contract falls within or outside IR35.

Interesting feedback, thanks for this.

[northernladuk]

As a newbie, didn't know how to get my contract reviewed and get 'peace of mind' - so, i sent it to hmrc. The process has been very very slow (after about 4 months of to-and-fro, and them requiring contract between my agency and client, to which I had to say 'no more' - as it seemed never ending process) - the situation is i still do not know if my contract falls within or outside IR35.

Even though we talk about QDOS and B&C reviews on nearly a daily basis, it's all over the newbie guides and a 15 second Google Search would have given your answer?? Have to do better than that.

[n123]

User of 'contract review service'

As a newbie, didn't know how to get my contract reviewed and get 'peace of mind' - so, i sent it to hmrc. The process has been very very slow (after about 4 months of to-and-fro, and them requiring contract between my agency and client, to which I had to say 'no more' - as it seemed never ending process) - the situation is i still do not know if my contract falls within or outside IR35.

[DGA]

Read my earlier post about the value of IPSE membership. If you're a member, ask them to get involved: they recently managed to persuade a whole department to change its policy on this very issue.

What will probably happen is in about three weeks you will get a letter from HMRC saying they cannot make a decision so you're no further forward...

I am a member of the IPSE, I spoke to them already, I'll speak to them again.

This will be fine, as at least I have done what the client wanted...

[malvolio]

Client has told me the only thing they will expect is HMRC review... So I starting the process and will see what happens.....

Read my earlier post about the value of IPSE membership. If you're a member, ask them to get involved: they recently managed to persuade a whole department to change its policy on this very issue.

What will probably happen is in about three weeks you will get a letter from HMRC saying they cannot make a decision so you're no further forward...

[DGA]

Client has told me the only thing they will expect is HMRC review... So I starting the process and will see what happens.....

[ZebraSnake]

Contact Qdos for help

I am contracting for a public sector client (via my own LTD) and was requested last year to prove my IR35 status. I obtained a review for Qdos and was deemed outside IR35. Now the client has informed me they no longer accept 3rd party reviews and I have to obtain a HMRC review. So basically they are forcing my to use HMRC´s service...

If I do not provide them with the HMRC review within 20 days(!), the client has stated they will terminate my contract..

If the HMRC review states I am inside, I need to provide evidence to the client I have made the deemed payments.

I have contacted the PCG for advise, but has anybody actually used the HMRC service?

In terms of the contract, it is IR35 friendly and my working practices are own equipment, project work, no fixed hours, work from home, no client control.

Any advise would be very welcome..

Qdos should be able to help you, I would advise you to contact them because they initially did the review and they might even be able to talk some sense into your client.

[tractor]

...

I know it will never happen but it's high time everone and his dog told HMG to take their contracts and shove em! 10 years later, all the consultancies would be rich beyond their dreams and not a thing would have been delivered.

With all their incessant attacks on contractors and their offshoring, nearshoring, consultancies, civil service SMEs who walk around with entire databases on data sticks they lose down the side of a train seat, they still cannot get individual systems to even work let alone share data. Annually, they still get 5m accounts wrong. Where would they be? The country would be in deep tulip.

Come the revolution, eh?