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Dave's Blog

Dave's Blog

Dave Chaplin, CEO of Contractor Calculator, started working in the City of London in 1994 and became a contractor in 1997. He has consulted for blue-chip firms including Cable & Wireless, Merrill Lynch, HSBC, and Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer. After eight years contracting, Dave left contracting to focus full time on ContractorCalculator.

Dave has consulted with the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills (BIS), HM Treasury and HM Revenue and Customs on the future of IR35 and on tax simplification. He also participates in industry-shaping roundtable events and continues to influence the next generation of contractors on successful contracting.

Recent Items
ContractorCalculator’s IR35 campaign reaches Parliament’s Public Accounts Committee

ContractorCalculator’s IR35 campaign secured a massive milestone this week, as HMRC’s Jim Harra was quizzed on CEST’s shortcomings at a PAC meeting.

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76% of PSBs applying blanket rules: why HMRC needs to reconsider IR35 reforms

HMRC will not be able to paper over the cracks exposed in a new FCSA study into IR35. Any attempt to do so would be like putting lipstick on a pig.

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HMRC poised to score spectacular own goal on IR35 reforms

HMRC’s attempts to justify its flawed CEST tool’s approach to IR35 and omission of mutuality of obligation have placed it in a Catch-22 situation.

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IR35 lobbying – Phillip Lee, MP for Bracknell is out of touch with reality

Some MPs have demonstrated they don’t have a clue about IR35 or the risks it poses. Help fight IR35 by getting your MP to take note and take action.

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Off-payroll rules (IR35) – is HMRC killing UK plc and voluntary tax compliance?

Wider adoption of the taxman’s flawed IR35 stance could be disastrous for HMRC, undermining voluntary tax compliance and reducing tax collection.

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20 reasons why HMRC should throw in its IR35 towel

HMRC needs to acknowledge and address its IR35 failings before further critical damage is caused to the UK labour market. Here are 20 reasons why.

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Are HMRC one step closer to rolling out the IR35 reforms?

Are their clues in the latest IR35 Forum minutes that indicate HMRC are moving towards a private sector rollout?

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Taylor Review recommendations could make IR35 redundant, but not before big changes

The Taylor Review recommendations could spell the end for IR35, but not before the Government pushes the draconian reforms out to the private sector.

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HMRC claim IR35 tool hits targets despite FOI revealing no data is held to back claim

In one letter to us HMRC claims the tool hits certainty targets of 80%-90%. Yet in an FOI response they claim no such data is held. Cover up?

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HMRC’s ad hominem attacks to defend its failed IR35 tool are disturbing

HMRC’s attack on ContractorCalculator for criticising its tool shows weakness, but also poses concerns about the taxman’s attitude towards IR35.

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10 reasons why the public sector IR35 reforms have been a farce

From its proposal to its implementation, HMRC’s management of the public sector IR35 reforms has been a complete shambles. Here are ten reasons why.

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HMRC’s IR35 tool creates more chaos as contractor clients and agencies lose trust

Contractors are abandoning the public sector, decimating projects as clients and agencies lose trust in HMRC’s flawed IR35 tool. Find out why.

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Are public sector contractors to have their La-La Land moment with the IR35 reforms?

HMRC’s IR35 tool indicates that either it's not working, or it’s not fit for purpose. A La-La Land moment for public sector contractors?

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IR35 is here for the long-haul, suggests Government report

IR35 looks to be staying for years to come after a BEIS review indicated changes to the employment status framework would take years of planning.

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HMRC’s new IR35 guidance implies simplicity where there is chaos

HMRC’s latest guidance seems to suggest that adoption of the public sector IR35 reform will be straightforward. Here’s why it will be anything but.

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Public sector bodies begin fightback against draconian IR35 reform

Two months to the IR35 reform, public sector bodies are taking drastic measures to hold onto their contractors and avoid jeopardising projects.

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IR35 reforms: HMRC’s tool could mean wholesale stitch up of contractors

Forcing public sector clients to use the taxman’s inadequate IR35 tool risks pushing thousands of legitimate contractors into false employment.

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Uber ruling opinion: gig workers need rights, but don't hurt genuinely self-employed

The Uber tribunal could shift public policy benefitting those who work in the gig economy. But hopefully it won't damage the contracting sector.

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Contractors need to lobby their MPs to avoid impending IR35 disaster

HMRC aren’t listening to experts and claim they can achieve the impossible with an online IR35 tool. Contractors need to start fighting back now.

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IR35 public sector consultation does not mean the end of limited company contracting

HMRC’s IR35 public sector consultation is not the end of limited companies, as the drivers for flexible working and incorporation are still growing.

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