Contractors
Know your IR35 status — for every contract
CEST-aligned assessment with per-contract scoring and review reminders.
Accounted's IR35 assessment tool scores each of your contracts as inside, outside, or borderline using criteria aligned with HMRC's own CEST tool. Get clear recommendations, understand the tax implications, and set review reminders for contract renewals.
Start Free Trial →How It Works
Answer the questionnaire
Based on HMRC's Check Employment Status tool criteria — substitution, control, mutuality, and financial risk.
Get your score
Inside, Outside, or Borderline with detailed reasoning for each factor. Understand exactly where you stand.
Set review reminders
Reassess when contracts renew or terms change. Penny reminds you before your existing assessment expires.
Why IR35 Assessment?
HMRC CEST-aligned criteria
The assessment uses the same factors HMRC considers — substitution, control, mutuality of obligation, and financial risk.
Per-contract assessment
Different clients mean different answers. Assess each contract individually because IR35 status can vary.
Clear recommendations
If inside, Penny explains the tax implications. If outside, she tracks your responsibilities. If borderline, she highlights the key factors.
Contract renewal reminders
Reassess before it's too late. Penny reminds you when contracts are up for renewal so your assessment stays current.
Dashboard status for every contract
See the IR35 status of all your active contracts at a glance — green for outside, amber for borderline, red for inside.
Link to HMRC CEST tool
Cross-reference your result with HMRC's official Check Employment Status for Tax tool for extra confidence.
Understand the factors that matter
IR35 status depends on the reality of your working relationship, not just the contract wording. Accounted assesses the key factors HMRC considers and explains how each one affects your result.
- Right of substitution — can you send someone else to do the work?
- Control — does the client dictate how, when, and where you work?
- Mutuality of obligation — is the client obliged to offer work and you obliged to accept?
- Financial risk — do you risk your own money and stand to profit or lose?
Different contracts, different answers
Your IR35 status can vary from contract to contract. A project where you have full autonomy might be outside, while another with strict supervision could be inside. Accounted tracks each one separately.
- Individual assessment stored per contract
- Side-by-side comparison across contracts
- Historical assessments preserved when contracts renew
- Tax calculations adjust based on each contract's IR35 status
Frequently Asked Questions
No — it's an assessment tool to help you understand your likely status based on the same factors HMRC uses. For a definitive ruling, use HMRC's official CEST tool or consult an IR35 specialist. Accounted's assessment gives you a strong starting point.
Penny explains which factors are pushing you towards inside or outside, so you can take action. Small changes to your working arrangement — like ensuring a genuine right of substitution — can sometimes tip the balance.
Yes — HMRC says you should reassess whenever contract terms change or at renewal. Working practices can drift over time, so regular reassessment is important. Penny sets reminders so you never forget.
You'll be taxed as an employee for that contract — meaning PAYE and National Insurance apply. Accounted explains the implications and adjusts your tax calculations accordingly so you can plan your finances.
Ready to try IR35 Assessment?
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