Contractor Guardian
Peace of mind, year-round:
12 months of unlimited expert IR35 reviews at your fingertips
Our Contractor Guardian IR35 compliance service gives you 12 month’s access to unlimited IR35 contract and working practices reviews and some excellent additional benefits, including contract negotiation, assistance with client IR35 disputes and HMRC defence. This service is fantastic value if you undertake more than one contract in a year, potentially saving you £100s on your IR35 due diligence.
Did you know, IR35 has to be considered for every contract you enter into, including extensions? Our Contractor Guardian IR35 compliance service gives complete peace of mind, leaving you to get on with running your business.
Whether you need assurance that your client has accurately assessed your IR35 status under the off-payroll rules and are not exposed to any contractual tax liabilities, or you’re contracting with exempt clients, making you responsible and liable for your own IR35 status, this service has you fully protected.
Independent reviews of contracts and practices help prove ‘reasonable care’ and reduce penalties in HMRC investigations. Contractor Guardian IR35 compliance service protects you by maintaining a full compliance history.
What's covered in our Contractor Guardian IR35 Compliance Service?
IR35 must be considered for each and every engagement you undertake. Contractor Guardian is designed to provide comprehensive coverage for all your IR35 due diligence.
Unlimited IR35 Reviews
For engagements under both the pre-existing and newer IR35 / Off-Payroll rules - covering both the written contract and working practices, with written summary IR35 opinion report for each.
Contract Amendments
If changes to your contract are appropriate, we will negotiate these on your behalf with your client or agency. Our negotiations cover IR35 issues and also commercial factors.
SDS Health Checks
Review and assistance with client Status Determination Statements where applicable, plus assistance with appeals where appropriate.
HMRC Defence
Defence up to tribunal stage* for any contracts reviewed and concluded with an outside IR35 opinion.
Regular News and Updates
We will keep you fully up to date with all things IR35, including news stories, potential changes and related developments.
Online Platform
Access to our dedicted online platform for simple and easy submission of any reveiw documentation during your period of service.
Quick Turnaround
We provide initial feedback within a maximum of 5 working days, and can accommodate urgent reviews at no extra cost.
Adhoc Support
Priority access to our expert consultants for any adhoc IR35 support you may need.
My agency says my contract is “IR35 friendly”, do I still need a review?
Be very careful with this statement! Firstly, a recruitment consultant’s view of what an ‘IR35 friendly’ contract looks like quite often differs to ours. Secondly, and most importantly, your IR35 status will ultimately be decided on the reality of your working practices despite what the contract says (agencies will typically provide boiler-plate terms that can have no correlation to your working arrangements). This is why a review that only considers the written contract in isolation is of no benefit, and our reviews cover comprehensive consideration of all aspects.
My contract is under the new IR35 (off-payroll) rules applicable to public sector and medium/large private sector engagers, so my client is responsible for deciding my status. Can I still benefit from a review?
Absolutely! Our review will ensure that the correct party has accurately assessed your status and provided all of the required documentation, ensure that your contract fully supports your determination and we will advise you if your terms expose you to any contractual tax and NI risk through indemnity clauses.
It is also possible for the client to change their determination at any time during the currency of your contract. An independent review at the outset will better equip you to deal with this situation.
Why don’t you provide IR35 insurance?
For the simple reason we have never needed to! IR35 insurance typically covers financial liabilities related to IR35 investigations and tax disputes. However, our approach is to proactively prevent such issues through robust and accurate assessments and compliance strategies, thereby minimising the risks that IR35 insurance would typically cover. We have won every case we have defended without ever reaching tribunal stage.
IR35 insurance is not a one-size-fits-all solution. We prefer to work closely with each client to understand their unique circumstances and provide tailored recommendations that address their specific compliance needs, and by not offering IR35 insurance, we avoid potential conflicts of interest and maintain the integrity of our assessments and advice.
My contract contains a substitution clause. Am I ok?
While right to substitute is an important factor, IR35 status is never determined by one element alone. Courts and HMRC focus on the entire working relationship, considering factors like control, whether the contractor is genuinely “in business”, mutuality of obligation (MOO), and financial risk.
A substitution clause that exists only on paper, without being exercisable in practice, carries little weight in HMRC investigations or tribunals.
Read our guide on the right of substitution to learn more.
Why B&C?
Contractor Guardian IR35 compliance ensures you’re protected from HMRC risks year-round.
- We are one of the UK’s leading and most reputable IR35 specialists, with over 20 years of hands-on experience working with the IR35 / Off-Payroll Working legislation. During this time we have assisted thousands of contractors in successfully managing their IR35 compliance.
- Our reviews are all undertaken personally by real & proven IR35 experts. We don’t use tools or automation and most of our consultants are ex-HMRC compliance staff, all with an in-depth understanding of up-to-date IR35 case law.
- We have an unprecedented track record of winning 100% of the hundreds of HMRC investigations we have defended.
- We pride ourselves in our unrivalled contract negotiation skills – we have long-standing and great working relationships with many large agencies and engagers, and an impressive success rate at agreeing contract changes.
- We genuinely care about your situation and are committed to helping you achieve the strongest position possible to demonstrate ‘reasonable care’, as required by the IR35 legislation.
Read more about our history and what makes us stand out from the rest.
What our clients say...
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"I have always been extremely happy with the service you provide both on a professional level and a personal level, so wanted to say a genuine thank you for reviewing all my contracts over the years and all the additional advice you have provided."
Jeremy Fletcher Black Diamond Consulting LtdRead more -
“I engaged Charlie to assess my contract prior to starting at a new client. Charlie was fantastic throughout the process. She demonstrated deep understanding of the relevant legislation and always responded promptly and professionally. As an independent expert her advice and opinion were well received by the end client, who provided an outside status determination. With Charlies input, the end client could demonstrate reasonable care had been taken – a win-win for both parties! I cannot recommend Charlie highly enough."
Tony Ward Statcore LtdRead more -
“I’ve used Bauer & Cottrell for several years and wholeheartedly recommend them to everyone that I work with. They’ve successfully negotiated a whole range of adverse and risky terms out of contracts on my behalf, far more effectively than I could’ve by dealing with the relevant agents myself, and taught me more about the practical side of successfully engaging with clients (outside) of IR35 than any other source of information. Their Contractor Guardian Plus service provides me with the complete peace of mind that I don’t believe is otherwise readily achievable within the means of an independent contractor.”
Adam Williamson Network Guy Consultancy LtdRead more -
“Thank you so much for your really prompt, efficient and calm approach in negotiating changes to the proposed contract with my client, to ensure it correctly reflected working practices. You made the whole process seem so straightforward and Bauer and Cottrell’s reputation provides well deserved reassurance that it’s been done properly.”
Stephen Penfold MTwenty International LtdRead more -
“The Bauer & Cottrell IR35 Review Package I receive through my accountant has been extremely good value and most importantly how/why the review is done; so it is done correctly, thoroughly and the determination is accurate, in line with current legislation. I have been continually recommending Bauer and Cottrell/this approach to my peers. Even now, where the client is responsible for making the determination, Bauer and Cottrell review all the paperwork and examine the actual working practices, to ensure this has been done correctly. Additionally, when checking the supporting paperwork, Bauer and Cottrell have ensured this accurately reflects the determination and actual working practices. With your help we have the right outcome done properly, which for a recent review, the client very much appreciates being able to retain me for a time sensitive/important project and we know that we are compliant. IR35 determination is complex and often misunderstood. Bauer & Cottrell’s expertise and experience ensure a correctly determined outcome.”
Peter IT Contractor, bankingRead more -
“As someone new to contracting and the complexities of the IR35 regulations, I engaged Bauer & Cottrell Ltd to advise me on an agency contract. Throughout the entire engagement their friendly and professional team were a joy to work with. Their specialist consultant (Charlie) was extremely knowledgeable, responding swiftly to all my questions, and quickly negotiated a compliant contract with the agency on my behalf. I’ve since engaged them again for a subsequent contract and experienced the same fantastic and timely service. I would not hesitate to recommend their services to others in a similar position.”
Ben Moss Kaizen Path Consulting LtdRead more -
“I had to consult with Bauer & Cottrell regarding the IR35 status of one of my contracts, and the service they provided was immaculate, with super fast responses, and full support, including assessment, contract templates, and many revisions until the contract was as watertight as it gets. To top it all, the service was pleasantly friendly. I would highly recommend them for anything IR35 related.”
Haitham Seelawi Eva-Ayla Seelawi ML LtdRead more -
You have all been a pleasure to deal with, and extremely helpful and I look forward to dealing with your company again in the future.” “I have nothing but good words to say about you and the team.
Shaun Deeney SD Testing Services LtdRead more
*HMRC Defence Benefit Terms and Conditions
As a Contractor Guardian client, you will be covered for HMRC IR35 investigation defence by Bauer & Cottrell up to the tax tribunal* stage, for engagements we have reviewed the entire duration of and concluded with an outside IR35 opinion, and where you are the liable party by statute.
*This does not include the costs associated with a tax tribunal hearing. We have won (not settled) every case we have ever defended without reaching tribunal stage. As the factors that decide IR35 status have not changed, our approach has not changed and our Contractor Guardian clients are in the best possible position with all relevant contracts and working practices properly considered.
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