Two week wait for IR35 ruling
A judgement on the potentially crucial IR35 dispute between a former policeman and the Inland Revenue is only expected in a fortnight.
Link: Landmark battle over IR35 gets going
High Court judge Justice Hart set the date – 14 March – after the two-day appeal hearing ended last week with Gordon Stutchbury arguing that he should not be subject to additional tax under IR35 as ruled by the Inland Revenue.
If he succeeds, the Revenue could face a flood of claims from other contractors, particularly those working in IT.
Speaking after the hearing Stutchbury, of Sunderland, said: ‘This has taken years to get to the High Court so another two weeks make little difference but I’m convinced that nobody else should have to go through this.’
The Professional Contractors Group, which is backing Stutchbury, said small businesses were ‘anxiously awaiting the outcome’.
PCG spokesman David Ramsden said: ‘We would urge the Inland Revenue to work with freelancers to bring greater clarity to this area of law.’