Originally due for roll-out this year, the government delayed implementation until next year because of the coronavirus crisis. However, government rejected calls for delay until 2023.

Seb Maley, CEO of IR35 specialist Qdos, commented: “It’s hugely disappointed, albeit unsurprising, that MPs have given the 2021 rollout the green light. For years, the government has mistakenly been under the impression that contractors abuse the IR35 rules. In our experience, this simply isn’t the case.”

From 6 April next year, medium and large private sector businesses will become responsible for administering the IR35 status of contractors. As part of this reform, recruitment agencies or hiring organisations will carry the liability for these decisions. A similar version of the reform was introduced in the public sector in 2017.

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