IR35 Contract & Working Practices Review
Trusted for over 20 years by thousands of contractors, our IR35 contract review which also considers the working practices, is the most comprehensive available.
Did you know, an independent IR35 contract review is excellent evidence in demonstrating you’ve met your ‘reasonable care’ obligations and therefore mitigating penalties in the event of an HMRC investigation?
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 an exempt client, making you responsible and liable for your own IR35 status, our IR35 contract review service has you fully protected.
Get complete peace of mind with our IR35 contract & working practices review
What's covered in our IR35 Contract Review?
IR35 must be considered for each and every engagement you undertake. Our IR35 contract review service is designed to provide comprehensive coverage for all your IR35 due diligence.
Review of contracts
We will review all of your contractual documents, including terms, schedules, policies and opt out agreements.
Working practices
We will thoroughly review your day-to-day working arrangements and your business features.
Review of SDS
Where applicable, we will review your client's Status Determination Statement.
Contract amendments
Where appropriate, we will negotiate amendments to your written terms with your client or agency.
Commercials
In addition to IR35, we can provide feedback and negotiation on issues such as notice periods, payment terms and restrictive covenants.
Written report
On conclusion of the review, you will receive a written summary report with an outside or inside IR35 opinion.
Quick turnaround
We provide initial feedback within a maximum of 5 working days, and can accommodate urgent reviews at no extra cost.
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 an IR35 contract review that does not consider 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 an IR35 contract 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.
Read more about what our reviews cover here.
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.
Why B&C?
With our support, you can work confidently, knowing that you are well-prepared to handle any IR35-related challenges that come your way.
- 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
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