Services

Tax Investigations

HMRC officers are under pressure to collect more tax so they initiate tax investigations into the affairs of individuals (sole traders or in partnerships), companies, not for profit organisations and trusts. Few of these investigations are opened on a purely random basis but the vast majority are selected where HMRC believes that there is a reasonable possibility of collecting additional tax liabilities. The Tax Inspectors have access to a wide range of information and will base their risk assessment on a number of different factors. These could include:

Third party information e.g. interest received from bank or building society
Property information from Stamp Duty Land Tax Returns and the Land Registry
Information provided by the Solicitors
A critical analysis of the accounts of the business
Wealthy individuals and successful businesses face increased scrutiny
Malicious information provided by informers
Using software known as Connect, which draws a huge amount of data not only from Government sources, but other open sources such as Facebook and Ebay. The software also identifies connections or patterns in the data. For example, it will reveal all properties listed in the name of the taxpayer and those listed as living in those properties who are claiming housing benefit.

At AKA, we understand that a tax investigation is extremely stressful, time consuming and disruptive. We will explain the process to you, advise you and make the investigation more manageable for you by representing and defending your interests. If tax, interest or penalties are due, we will strive to negotiate the lowest settlements with HMRC on your behalf and represent you at the Tax Tribunal. Our aim always is to resolve the matter with a minimum of fuss and cost by securing a settlement at the earliest possible date.

Whether you have been approached for a record check, compliance visit, intervention disclosure, or an investigation by any other name, our team can help. Because of our experience we know what HMRC are looking for, we can often get to the bottom of issues, source evidence and get cases resolved with minimal disruption to you. In addition to income, corporation, capital gains, VAT and inheritance tax, we have significant experience in managing employment disputes, IR35 enquiries and offshore disclosures.

We can help you assess and resolve any ongoing tax issues and if you need to disclose a tax problem to HMRC even though you are not under investigation, we can help you to secure the most advantageous terms possible.

We can help you with:

* Resolving all types of tax disputes, enquiries and disclosures on all taxes
* Criminal Investigations
* Serious fraud allegations under Codes of Practice 8 and 9
* Contractual Disclosure of Fraud
* PAYE Investigations
* IR 35 Investigations
* Overseas assets investigations and disclosures
* Alternative Dispute Resolution
* Tribunals and Appeals
* Offshore and Voluntary Disclosures
* Reviewing existing tax avoidance arrangements

In response to the increased risk of our clients being investigated, we offer clients the opportunity to take out tax investigation insurance and if a tax enquiry is opened, any additional professional fees that we charge you for dealing with this enquiry will be paid direct to us by this insurance policy.