Frequently Asked Questions

HMRC can request records and run a tax investigation for the past 20 years, and this is just one reason it is so important to keep proper and accurate records.

Our team of Tax investigation experts know that records are not always available, and they know exactly what will satisfy the HMRC’s demands.

If you don’t have the records to back up any claims, HMRC may make incorrect assessments for additional tax they claim is owed.

If you thought “Oh it was such a long time ago, I’ve got away with it now” then you may find yourself very much mistaken.

Get advice from one of our professional advisors who will know exactly what to do.

We always advise that you face the problem head on and make a disclosure to HMRC. We will ensure this is on the best possible terms and we will apply for you to be accepted under a HMRC Disclosure Facility which offers immunity from criminal proceedings in exchange for a full disclosure.

We will undertake the entire disclosure for you in the form of a report and ensure you pay the correct amount due and no more. We will only act for those willing to make a full disclosure and will always act within the parameters of the law

There is no legal requirement for you to attend a meeting with HMRC which is being conducted under Civil (i.e non Criminal) proceedings. As we take control of the enquiry and have all of the contact with HMRC in most instances you would not need to have any direct contact with HMRC at all, let alone a meeting.

Occasionally it may be beneficial to arrange a meeting under the right circumstances and we advise on this on a case by case basis.

Completely random enquiries are rare and in the majority of instances HMRC open an enquiry because they believe there is something wrong with your tax affairs and as such have not paid enough tax. This can be based on information included on your tax returns or information acquired from 3rd parties. HMRC are not always right and we are often able to resolve enquiries for little or no tax due when the full facts are presented in the correct way.

Firstly we need to consider whether HMRC have opened your enquiry in time to ensure it is a valid enquiry. We also need to make sure HMRC are only asking for things they are entitled to. If information is reasonably required and within the relevant time constraints then we recommend providing it.

Providing a great deal of information which HMRC are not allowed to ask for can sometimes lead to unnecessary questions which means more time and costs from your perspective.

Completely random enquiries are rare and in the majority of instances HMRC open an enquiry because they believe there is something wrong with your tax affairs and as such have not paid enough tax.

This can be based on information included on your tax returns or information acquired from 3rd parties. HMRC are not always right and we are often able to resolve enquiries for little or no tax due when the full facts are presented in the correct way.