Tax Fee Protection
Whether it’s a cross-tax enquiry, a technical challenge or a detailed books and records review, our tax investigations package is designed to achieve the best possible result for you – fully supported by an insurance policy underwritten by Markel Tax for added peace of mind.
Why do you need it?
No one can prevent an investigation and as tax enquiries become ever more complex, explaining the intricate and unique tax positions of our clients to HMRC takes more time and consequently incurs more expense.
We want to achieve the best possible outcome without you having to worry about the time and costs involved in providing a full, robust defence. Having an expert with a thorough understanding of your business and tax affairs is key to dealing with HMRC enquiries effectively.
This is especially important with HMRC strengthening its compliance resources to target campaigns and cross-tax enquiries so that it maximises the tax it recovers.
How can we protect you?
Tax Challenge Analysis
Explain any complex or technical tax challenges that are raised during the enquiry without any restrictions due to cost.
Tax Defence Strategy
Challenge HMRC’s assertions and assumptions head on, establish that the basis of the enquiry is correct, and make sure your case is handled fairly.
Focused Information
Ensure the tax inspector is only requesting relevant information and documents, and provide relevant supporting evidence from our files relating to your return.
Effective HMRC Communication
Handle all communication with HMRC, including letters, phone calls or notices issued.
Tax Position Protection
Ensure you receive the best defence to protect your tax position.
Meeting Preparation
Prepare for and attend any face-to-face meetings with HMRC.
Frequently Asked Questions
HMRC can select any taxpayer, individual and company, both entirely at random and based on specific business sectors or geographical areas.
Even if HMRC finds nothing wrong and there is no additional tax to pay, the costs of a tax investigation can seriously impact on your financial security, your ability to focus on running your business and can bring about stress.
The defence cost of an investigation vary, but typically an enquiry can result in over £2,900 of accountancy fees.
Now more than ever the new government want to raise as much additional revenue as possible. Investigating businesses and personal taxpayers is politically acceptable where HMRC believes that the right amount of tax has not been paid. In targeting these, many innocent businesses may get included and it can be just as expensive to argue with HMRC when there is nothing to find.
What’s not included in this service?
- Fees incurred prior to the written acceptance of a claim by the insurance providers.
- HMRC Specialist Investigations, Civil Investigations of Fraud, Criminal Investigations Sections, Fraud Investigation Service, Counter Avoidance Sections and Code of Practice 9 cases.
- Returns submitted more than 90 days after the due date.
- Notification by HMRC of any of the above prior to subscribing to the service.
- Failure to notify/register for tax or VAT.
- Compliance costs associated with routine submission of statutory returns, e.g. P11D’s, RTI Returns, CIS Returns, Corporate Tax Returns etc.
- Cases of suspected fraud, e.g. Code of Practice 9 cases and Public Notice 160 enquiries.
- Where there is no reasonable prospect of challenging HMRC (VAT, PAYE and IR35 Disputes).
- Costs for third-party valuations.
- Tax planning arrangements where HMRC have allocated a DOTAS Number and/or bespoke tax planning arrangements outside of the normal trade.
Our Tax Fee Protection Team
Kimberley Thomson
Partner & Head of Tax
Darren Wyllie
Assistant Manager
