Earlier this month three television presenters working for the BBC “off-payroll” were hit with tax avoidance charges as a result of IR35, new tax legislation.

Following this news, it is “essential for contractors and freelancers to review their paycheques and tax status to ensure that they are protected,” warned Nick Woodward, chief executive of ETZ Payments.

Joanna Gosling, David Eades and Tim Willcox were found to be liable for tax after a tribunal ruled they had opted to work for the BBC through a personal service company (PSC).

This is just the latest in a series of test cases in the courts, in whi...