The Desk
IR35
The tax rule that defined a generation of contractors — rulings, reviews and revolts.
49 ARTICLES
2001–2026
DESK / IR35
2001–2026
DESK / IR35
2026
- 19 JUN 2026CEST Use Collapses as Firms Seek More Certain IR35 AssessmentsUse of HMRC’s employment status tool fell by 71 per cent in two years, according to Freedom of Information data, as clients moved towards alternative…READ →
- 4 FEB 2026Post Office’s £104 Million IR35 Bill Exposes the Cost of MisclassificationThe government proposed paying £104.44 million directly to HMRC to settle the Post Office’s historic off payroll tax liability, creating a stark…READ →
- 29 JAN 2026Outside IR35 Shortage Tops Contractor Fears for 2026A survey of more than 600 independent professionals found that scarce outside IR35 work had become the biggest perceived threat to contractor…READ →
2025
- 8 MAY 2025HMRC Revises CEST as IR35 Status Checks Face Renewed ScrutinyHMRC has updated its employment status tool for the first time in more than four years, but contractors and tax specialists say the changes improve…READ →
2024
- 26 NOV 2024Agencies to answer for umbrella PAYE from April 2026 as employment rights bill reaches committeeThe Budget shifted the tax risk of umbrella working onto recruitment agencies; days later, MPs began building the rights regime to match.READ →
- 16 SEP 2024Supreme Court referee ruling redraws the mutuality and control tests behind IR35The unanimous PGMOL judgment confirmed that the two tests contractors most often rely on to prove self-employment can be cleared far more easily than…READ →
2002
- 20 DEC 2002"Ridiculous nonsense of IR35" slammed in ParliamentMark Prisk, the Shadow Financial Secretary, called IR35 a "ridiculous nonsense" and accused MPs of regarding it with too little importance in a…READ →
- 18 OCT 2002Freelancer Lime-IT wins IR35 battleIT freelancer Lisa Fernley's company, Lime-IT, has won its long-running battle against the Inland Revenue following a judgment by the Special…READ →
- 19 AUG 2002'We're watching you' Revenue tells composite companiesThe Inland Revenue's latest tax bulletin has issued a warning to composite companies, set up to remove the threat of IR35 for contractors.READ →
- 16 JUL 2002MPs' bid to make IR35 training costs tax deductible failsA cross-party bid by MPs including John Bercow to make IR35 contractors' training costs tax deductible has been rejected by the Government.READ →
- 15 JUL 2002Parcelforce employees urged to quit and come back self-employedDrivers who wish to continue working for the loss-making delivery company, Parcelforce Worldwide, are being asked to leave the company on Friday…READ →
- 25 APR 2002No guarantees on 'IR35-friendly' contracts with agentsContractors who work through agents can expect no guarantees their contracts will pass IR35, according to a survey conducted by UKTECH.READ →
- 23 APR 2002Conservatives cast doubt over IR35 repeal pledgeIain Duncan Smith , the leader of the Conservatives, has told UKTECH that the Conservative party no longer has a specific policy on IR35, although it…READ →
- 16 APR 2002What price a Budget day NIC hike to contractors?National Insurance is the likeliest target for tax increases on Budget day, most likely by raising both the contributions rate and the ceiling.READ →
- 28 MAR 2002BCC red tape audit invites contractors to flag regulation gripesThe British Chambers of Commerce has invited contractor businesses to submit their regulatory grievances to a 'Red Tape Audit' that already flags…READ →
- 25 MAR 2002Bit-part 1930s actress could play major role in contractors' fateLillian Braithwaite, a bit-part actress from the 1930s, could yet play a pivotal role in the case for contractors to be seen as being in business on…READ →
- 15 MAR 2002Revenue to extend employee-style tax perks to IR35 contractorsThe Inland Revenue will grant contractors caught by IR35 the same tax-free mileage allowances and other concessions enjoyed by employees from 6 April.READ →
- 8 MAR 2002What the Revenue has learnt from IR35...In the final part of our interview series with the IR35 chief, John Hinton, we ask what lessons the Revenue has taken away with it after three years…READ →
- 7 MAR 2002Size and competition nothing to do with IR35, says RevenueUKTECH's fourth interview subject with IR35 chief, John Hinton, concentrates on the Revenue's justification for targeting small companies with IR35…READ →
- 6 MAR 2002Putting a price on the uncertainty of IR35In the third part of our interview series with the Revenue's IR35 chief, John Hinton, at IR HQ in Somerset House - our reporter Richard Powell asks…READ →
- 4 MAR 2002Revenue's IR35 chief: no plans to change the legislationIn an exclusive interview, the Revenue's IR35 chief John Hinton says there are no plans to change the legislation, likening its targeting to a 'duck…READ →
- 11 FEB 2002PCG warns of IR35 harm at Institute of Directors seminarThe Professional Contractors Group told a recruitment-industry panel at the Institute of Directors that IR35 is damaging the UK's flexible workforce.READ →
- 8 FEB 2002IR35 FAQ update- Computation and Penalties on P35sThe Inland Revenue's IR35 Frequently Asked Questions page has been updated with a question and answer regarding computation and penalties arising…READ →
2001
- 5 DEC 2001PCG Appeal Day 2: Don't let this get to ECJ, Plender asks courtOn the second day of the PCG's legal appeal, Mr Gerald Barling QC finished his address to the court and the Revenue's Dr Richard Plender took over.READ →