IR35 Workbench
IR35 decisions, made properly and on the record.
A structured, evidence-led process for hiring organisations, from first assessment to signed statement.
- Role library every line manager starts from the same position
- Contractor input invited by email to give their side
- Signed statement issued in your name to every relevant party
The off-payroll rules
Take reasonable care, and be able to prove it.
Since April 2021, medium and large organisations that engage contractors through an intermediary have been responsible for deciding their employment status for tax. You must take reasonable care, give a Status Determination Statement to the contractor and the party you contract with, and be able to show how you reached each decision. If you can't, the tax liability can fall on you.
Most organisations still manage this with questionnaires, email chains and spreadsheets.
Decisions vary between line managers, evidence is scattered and nobody can see the full picture.
How it works
One controlled route from role to signed statement.
Assess the role once
Common roles are assessed in advance and held in a role library, so every line manager starts from the same position.
The line manager assesses the engagement
A structured questionnaire covers substitution, control, mutuality of obligation and financial risk, with guidance where it matters.
The contractor gives their side
The contractor is invited by email to answer their part directly.
Review and sign off
Clear cases go to your signatory for review and sign-off. Borderline cases can be escalated for expert review.
The statement goes to everyone
The signed Status Determination Statement is issued in your organisation's name and goes to all the relevant parties: the contractor, the agency or the fee-payer in the chain.
Why organisations use it
Built for decisions you may have to defend.
Consistent decisions
Every engagement is assessed against the same questions and the same rules.
Evidence you can produce
Every answer, review, amendment and sign-off is recorded with who did it and when.
Accountable sign-off
No statement is issued until a person in your organisation has reviewed and approved the determination.
Your organisation, your process
Your signatories, your reviewers and your terminology.
Secure and controlled
Your data is hosted in Europe, and access to it is limited by role.
For contractors
Been invited to complete an assessment? Use the link in your invitation email. Our Terms and Privacy Notice explain how we handle your information.
Get in touch
Engaging contractors and want a clearer, defensible process?
Email us to arrange a conversation.
Email hello@ir35workbench.co.uk