u/Horror_Business1862

I got my 1st contract recently with an overseas company and I was super scared of IR35 implications so I got insurance for peace of mind. My IR35 assessment was borderline outside. After joining I met few other UK based contractors working with the same client through their Ltd companies (outside IR35) for years and had no idea about IR35 at all. None of them even had insurance.

One dude even withdraws 90% of his income into partner’s account for smaller tax bracket and he has been doing this for years.

Just makes me wonder how many contractors are working via their Ltd companies without any clue of IR35 and insurance. All of them are sitting ducks for HMRC.

I am asking on behalf of someone so please keep judgements away.

The person is in UAE jail and needs money for survival. His family can afford but have no means to send since they are in Pakistan. They had someone in the UAE used an app that only works there and requires a valid Iqama to send it. That person is in Pakistan and can’t send anymore.

Has anyone idea how to send it from Pakistan or anywhere outside UAE?

The insurance companies only provide insurance if your contract or working practices fall outside IR35. This totally makes sense from insurance’s perspective however, we are contractors and not legal experts. In case of HMRC investigation, can the insurance refuse claim because you unintentionally provided wrong information in working practices assessment?

The only reason they think my assessment is Inside is because of lack of substitution clause but do not want to consider my working practices. For example, I need to buy my own laptop, specific tools (which cost up to £500 per year), monthly subscriptions and mobile phones for testing. My client is US based with no UK presence and has clearly stated they will not provide any of these since I am a contractor.

I used to have all those tools provided by employer when I was working as employee. I have already spent half of income from first 2 projects in purchasing those tools and subscriptions.

I was thinking to get IR35 insurance for peace of mind but since Qdos has assessed my contract to be inside, I can’t get insurance. I however have run CEST tool with absolute honesty and the result is Outside IR35. I am now forever scared moving forward like what if HMRC determines the contract to be inside IR35 a couple years late? I wont even have insurance to defend myself.