Revenue sends complaint to Mail on Sunday following IR35 story

Nick Montagu, Chairman of the Board of the Inland Revenue, has issued a formal response to an article in the Mail on Sunday (8th April) which said that the outcome for the PCG's Judicial Review of IR35 had resulted in uncertainty.

The article entitled 'Court leaves tax rebels in limbo' by Jo Thornhill stated that: 'Thousands of hi-tech contract workers have been forced to play a waiting game after a High Court judgment on a controversial tax rule that could have pushed many of them out of business or forced them abroad.'

The response from Nick Montagu reads as follows:

"It is misleading for Jo Thornhill to suggest (MoS 8 April) that there is any remaining uncertainty over IR35. The High Court has confirmed unequivocally that it is valid in law, and people must now comply with the obligations which it imposes.

"We will be looking at whether we need to improve the guidance which we give the public and our own people, in the light of the judge's remarks. But the basic tests for determining whether someone is employed or self-employed for tax and national insurance purposes remain unchanged. Everyone affected by IR35 needs to work out how much tax and national insurance they owe us and pay it by 19 April. If they need help, they can ring our Helpline on 0845 303 3535, or visit our website at www.inlandrevenue.gov.uk."