Included in Inland Revenue's New Employers Bulletin

The Inland Revenue has slipped the latest information on Service Companies and IR35 into their Employers Bulletin for April, between information regarding collecting student loans and company car tax.

Service companies are warned that they must review their activities to see if they are affected by the new rules that came into effect. The article states that the IR website answers over 50 questions from employers – or you should contact one of the special IR35 contact points. Again service companies are invited to send copies of signed contracts in order to obtain a written opinion from the Revenue about whether the contract falls within the rules.

Readers are warned that local Revenue offices can only answer straightforward questions – for more detailed questions and speedy expert advice, special IR35 contact points have been set up.

It all sounds too good to be true. There is no mention of the fact that the written contract opinion can be changed, or that any advice you may be given is subject to change. All of which creates uncertainty which has prevented independent contractors signing contracts with confidence, knowing their status and sure of how they can run their businesses.

Still, the promised leaflet 'Supplying Services through a limited company or partnership' available in May should clear it all up.