Are you resolving the issue with HMRC or just kicking the can down the road?

For some, kicking the can into the long grass might be even more preferable.  Either way, when the time actually comes to resolving the matter, it will almost certainly be more expensive.  And perhaps all you have had in between times is depression and sleepless nights. Are you resolving matters?

It’s no secret – it’s just none of your business!

So we have now had another chapter of the saga of secret bank accounts with the Pandora Papers.   Just like their forerunners, it makes interesting reading – but so what.  The “offshore world” exists because of demand – the demand for discretion and privacy.  It’s no secret, it’s just none of your business! But yetContinue reading “It’s no secret – it’s just none of your business!”

Is HMRC challenging you?

HMRC holds a wealth of information on all taxpayers.  Not surprisingly though, from time to time HMRC can come across information on a taxpayer that they did not expect.  You may think that you have disclosed everything but now HMRC is challenging you and want to investigate your tax affairs. What type of letter haveContinue reading “Is HMRC challenging you?”

By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail

Some of you may recognise this as a quote from Benjamin Franklin.  In my world it is a very true statement and I take time to explain its importance to others particularly in relation to failing to prepare for meetings with HMRC. Imagine the scenario of  a taxpayer being blasé and ignoring my advice.  They mayContinue reading “By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail”

Who is in charge of your tax investigation or is it meandering out of control?

So many times I hear the answer back “HMRC is in charge of course!”  Perhaps the question is more “Who should be in charge of your tax investigation”.  Either way, the answer should be firstly the adviser is in charge and secondly the taxpayer.  Otherwise your tax investigation can meander out of control. Shouldn’t HMRCContinue reading “Who is in charge of your tax investigation or is it meandering out of control?”

Having invested in the company, you then discover tax fraud

Unfortunately, this nightmare scenario is not uncommon.  No matter how much due diligence is undertaken, a fraud can be very sophisticated and may only surface after certain people have left.  Often the fraud includes the Managing Director and other key employees, all of whom have now left. The cost