Investigations and enquiries

Continuing developments in technology and legislation have increased HMRC officers’ scope of powers to visit premises and inspect financial records, driving the number of investigations to a record high.

“We are investing in our ability to use data and new and advanced technology to identify fraud and evasion risks. We have already brought in an extra £1.4 billion of tax revenue by investing £45 million in these activities.”
HMRC, 2015

Anyone who has been the subject of a tax enquiry knows it is rarely a pleasant experience. WMT will help you resolve it quickly with the minimum of disruption to your daily life. Our tax clients have the option to take our fee protection service, which covers the cost of our support from the moment you receive notification of the enquiry through to agreeing a financial settlement with HMRC.

What triggers a tax enquiry?

HMRC collates data from tax returns, existing assets, social media, overseas bank accounts, third parties, and a great many other sources. This data is then analysed to tease out anomalies. Spot check notifications to a random sample of taxpayers can also be issued. This means you can become subject to a tax enquiry even if you’ve fulfilled all the statutory requirements. Whatever the reason for the enquiry, you’ll be investigated in the same way.

What does a tax enquiry involve?

Tax enquiries come in many varieties – an aspect enquiry, a full enquiry, a discovery enquiry, and a fraud investigation to name a few. Each enquiry requires you to take slightly different actions, but in all cases you will need to disclose sensitive information regarding your financial affairs.

How WMT can help

Tax enquiry advice

With years of experience in local compliance offices and cases of alleged fraud, our team of experts and former Inland Revenue inspectors are well equipped to:

Help you gain a clear understanding of the enquiry process;

Shield you from the pressure of the process by acting as a buffer between you and HMRC;

Progress your tax enquiry quickly and effectively;

Disclose information to HMRC discretely;

Demonstrate your compliance or intent to comply;

Negotiate a fair and favourable settlement;

Represent you at a tax tribunal or recommend specialist legal advice if needed.

Fee protection service

If you take up our fee protection plan for tax clients, a single phone call to us will enable our tax experts to step in and start liaising with HMRC on your behalf. Professional advice combined with a fee protection service gives you the peace of mind that your enquiry will be resolved quickly, and with the best outcome, without you having to worry about associated costs.

Your first steps after receiving a tax enquiry notification

It is vital that you act promptly and correctly by immediately seeking professional assistance. There are strict deadlines for providing information to HMRC and failure to comply may result in significant financial penalties.

Get in touch with our tax team if you’ve received notification of a tax enquiry, or would like to know more about our fee protection service.