The new Rishi Sunak-led government’s first litmus test for contractors is a little over two weeks away.

Jim Harra letting slip the off-payroll rules benefit HMRC signal that the taxman wasn’t onboard with their repeal, and won’t ever be.

The chancellor going for Budget status, while talking of ‘prudence,’ positions an off-payroll ‘consultation’ as a firmer prospect.

Contractor experts try to set aside their concerns, as the ex-chancellor who gave PSCs IR35 reform and next to nothing during covid is coronated Tory leader.

The need to appoint his potential boss could push chancellor Jeremy Hunt’s statement past Halloween.

Far from reviewing IR35, Number 10’s next occupant is looking like the chancellor who built on it, with ‘deeply unfair’ reforms.

Officials effectively saying ‘as you were’ isn’t a message that can hurt contractors. Not after the ‘crazy situation’ their entire sector has just endured.

HM Treasury’s new boss tells the nation that the 2017 and 2021 frameworks are no longer going to be revoked.

The former Treasury minister says the off-payroll rules reversal may go the way of the corporation tax cancellation vow.

A PSC profits rate of up to 26.5% is back on the cards, following one chancellor’s political collapse, and his successor raising the stakes on limited companies.

Tax officials say that what’s currently an obligation for clients, the SDS, won’t be shifting to PSCs or their workers.

Advisers say a chancellor needing to ‘steady the ship’ fortunately doesn’t fit with him U-turning the off-payroll rules’ removal.

Despite formerly directing her own limited company, the BBC host determined IR35 as too ‘complex’ a ‘thing’ for BBC1’s audience.

Seeing no bounce from IR35 reform repeal, job-seekers are warned of exposure to a slowing economy this winter, just as ‘hiring freezes’ begin.

Status experts are divided on whether SDS will survive the repeal, to become a new duty on limited company contractors.

Calls for a potentially ‘desperate’ taxman to offer PSCs an amnesty don’t get an answer, possibly as Status Determination Statements will come with a post-repeal ‘hangover.’

Chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng stuns an elated contractor sector, by sensationally revoking the ‘tainted’ off- payroll working rules of 2017 and 2021.

Agency bosses say the appetite for temporary techies is continuing, even if such contractors’ wants and needs are changing, and occasionally clashing.

IR35 dominates a range of expectations for chancellor Kwasi Kwarteng’s first Budget this Friday.

The Revenue’s new weapon in the fight against tax avoidance receives a mixed review.