HM Revenue & Customs  

Ex-rugby player turned pundit loses £700k IR35 case against HMRC

"There are certainly lessons to be learned from this case, both for freelancers and businesses engaging them.

"Rigorous IR35 determinations must be made at the start of a working relationship, while IR35 status should be continually reviewed as this relationship evolves. By no means is it a tick-box exercise."

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This year there have been a number of high profile  IR35 cases coming through the courts. 

In April, former footballer and later Sky Sports presenter, Neil McCann, lost his battle with HMRC, leaving him with a £210,000 tax bill.

While in January year, HMRC’s 10-year tax battle with Loose Women presenter Kaye Adams' came to an end after the tax authority revealed it would not appeal the court's decision.

It came after a First Tier Tribunal judgement in November 2023 on the case of Atholl House Products, Adams’ company, which ruled she was outside of IR35 legislation. 

tara.o'connor@ft.com

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