HMRC Enquiries:

How We Can Help You

"Voluntary disclosure is always more attractive than going to jail,"
Robert Trunchion MSc FCA ATII TEP

If the Revenue have opened an enquiry into your tax affairs and you think that you might like assistance, contact us for a meeting. Please see How To Contact Us. This meeting will be free and without obligation.

At this meeting we will evaluate your position and discuss with you any special concerns you may have. We will also be able to tell you what we can do for you and give you an idea of the cost.

We have been dealing with HMRC enquiries and investigations successfully since the early 1980s.

If the HMRC have not opened an enquiry into your tax affairs, there are a number of precautions you can take.

Although a percentage of taxpayers will be subjected to random enquiries, the majority of enquiries are opened for a reason. The following precautions may help:

Don't be late submitting tax returns or notifying the Revenue of a new source of income.

Offer as much explanation on your tax return as you can. This will prevent the Revenue from 'having' to open an enquiry because they would like to ask a single question.

Ensure that your returns are correct and complete.

Keep 'adequate' records. ('Adequate' is the Revenue's word. They do not define it. If you would like guidance, please contact us. See How To Contact Us.)

Retain your business records, with all supporting documentation, for at least the minimum period laid down by statute. (This period varies upon circumstance.) 'Supporting documentation' may include non financial items - again, this depends upon circumstance. (For example, your diaries or MOT certificates.)

Retain your personal financial records. Keep everything. Never discard documents, especially bank statements, (even personal ones). Also, any documentation from a third party can be of immense value (for example, substantiating a fact - possibly a gift).

If you're not sure, get advice from someone who is suitably qualified.

Insure against the cost of an enquiry. Or join a federation that will pay all or some of your costs in the event of an enquiry, (for example The Federation of Small Businessses. Click here to leave our website and visit The Federation of Small Businesses.)

Fee Protection: We offer professional fee protection. This is designed to protect you from some of the costs of a Revenue enquiry. Click here for more detail, including prices.

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