[nerdawson]

There’s far more work inside IR35 than outside.

If you’re going to work inside, just use an umbrella. The margin they take is minimal and they make life so much easier.

If you’re going to run a limited company, you have to actually run a limited company. There are horror stories on the contractor forums where HMRC have taken a dim view of contractors whose companies are essentially run by their accountants. I can’t remember what the term associated with it is but definitely an area to be careful with.

[ukoki]

The horror stories are from contractors who have attempted to cheat the tax system by eg making loans from their limited companies that they never intended to pay back, or who claim company expenses for personal benefit.

You can stay well within the tax code and avoid any grey areas, and will still get more income by operating as a limited company. Yes running a limited company requires some admin work, learning about the tax system but a few of hours admin a month is well worth the extra £20k net income (or whatever the figure happens to be)

[nerdawson]

> The horror stories are from contractors who have attempted to cheat the tax system

Some are, certainly. Many are not.

The example I gave is people who setup a limited company in order to take on work as a contractor. They've gone to an accountancy firm who've told them we'll do all the work for you. HMRC have then turned around and said that the company is a sham. Again, I can't remember the name of that particular problem but it's well known on a popular UK contracting forum.

The deeper you dig into IR35, the murkier it becomes. Contracts are dismissed for instance and it's actual working practices that are reviewed. There are absurd rules around control which are far too vague and subject to opinion that it could easily be argued either way.