Who’s in control of your client’s tax investigation?

We know who should be in control of your client’s tax investigation – you because you are their trusted adviser.

Bearing the scars of dealing with tax investigations for over 35 years means either I am a very slow learner, or I have picked up a few tips along the way.  (The answer is the latter, I assure you)

How to spot a tax investigation that is out of control

There are a number of triggers that should ring alarm bells.  For example, rather than a plethora of written questions, HMRC:

1. Asks for a meeting with your client.
2. Asks to meet at your client’s business premises.
3. Asks to meet at your client’s home.
4. Refuse to provide an Agenda or provide the very briefest of Agendas?
5. Turn up to a meeting with more people than expected?
6. Asks for copies of documentation at a meeting.
7. Calls a halt to meeting mid-flight.
8. Provides a Note of Meeting that is incorrect?
9. Provides a Note of Meeting that is misleading?
10. Asks for the Note of Meeting to be signed?

What happens next could shape the outcome of the whole investigation.

Is there an alternative way?

Yes.

Most taxpayers assume that HMRC only ask what they are entitled to.  Really?  That’s not been my experience.  Sometimes even the most experienced investigators from HMRC can overstep the mark in the heat of the moment.  New and inexperienced investigators may not know where the boundaries lie.

The alternative is to engage an experienced specialist on your side.

It takes two to tango

Do you or your client want to dance to HMRC’s tune?

How do you call a halt to awkward questioning?

None of the above is ever straight forward but nobody has time to look the answers up.  The answers and the strategy have to be second nature.  Our side needs to lead from the front without faltering with HMRC.

Help is at hand

An initial consultation is free.  This can be for up to two hours of my time face to face with you and your client.  At the end I will identify what needs to be done, estimate how long it may take to conclude and the overall cost in terms of a Settlement with HMRC and my potential costs.