Lawspeed has advised agencies, contractors and accountants on IR35 legal issues since the legislation was first announced. Although clearly a taxation matter, the application of IR35 relies upon purely legal tests relating to employment status in the circumstances set out in the legislation.

All too often contractors believe that their engagement is caught, perhaps because of comments on the internet or by colleagues, when in fact it may be possible to structure the engagement to be genuinely outside the scope of the legislation. A proper assessment of a contractor's situation requires an understanding of contracts, case law and crucially the constituents of the contractor's work. Our experience of the recruitment and contracting industries combined with our legal expertise enables us to understand the issues and achieve sizeable tax savings for many of our contractor clients.

For example, in the only successful IR35 case before the Tax Commissioners to date the Tax Commissioner decided that the contract terms supported the contractors claim that there was a genuine project. Consequently the Commissioner decided that IR35 did not apply. The contract terms specifically referred to were terms drafted by Lawspeed.

Accountants can lose business if contractors close their limited companies relying on incorrect advice that their arrangements are caught by the IR35 legislation.

How can Lawspeed help your firm and your clients?

Lawspeed has assisted over 1500 contractors to date with IR35 issues. Of Inland Revenue appeals completed 100% were successful in favour of the contractor. Lawspeed offers a wide range of services to contractors to help them through the maze. So that you can help your clients Lawspeed provides a support service for accountants to deal with this essentially legal issue. By putting your contractor clients in touch with us or routing our advice through your own organisation you can benefit from objective knowledgeable and experienced assessments of the contractors position.

If you are looking to protect your client's interests or to add additional services to your firm's business then we invite you to consider how Lawspeed can assist your firm.

Please note that we also advise Umbrella Companies on various issues including IR35, Working Time Regulations, employment law and relevant aspects of the forthcoming Employment Agency Regulations.

Please contact us and we would be happy to discuss your specific requirements.

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