Latest Tax Enquiry and Investigation Service

As I am sure we are all aware HMRC are able to open investigations into the accuracy of tax returns, VAT returns, payroll, etc via targeted, or random, tax enquiries. With an ever increasing budget deficit I fully expect HMRC to raise more enquiries this year to increase tax revenues. You will want to be…

It has recently been reported that the tax debt owing to HMRC as at 30 September 2022 stands at £46.9 million, and they are taking positive action to recover this from both individuals and business.   The profession has certainly seen a much more proactive approach from HMRC, and given the financial pressures on all,…

HMRC have the right to enquire into any type of tax return, with common areas of investigation being self-assessment tax returns, corporation tax returns, PAYE submissions, and VAT returns.   Some enquires are carried out at random, but the majority are selected by way of risk assessment. HMRC have a sophisticated risk assessment computer system,…

The HMRC “Nudge Unit”, previously called the Behavioural Insights Team, was a department within the Cabinet Office that was tasked with improving government services and saving money by employing a blend of behavioural economics and psychology.  An example of this in practice is the so-called “nudge” letters (referred to by HMRC as ‘one-to-many’ letters) HMRC…

We can assist in this process, by reviewing your current contractual terms and working practices, to assess and minimise IR35 tax risk. HMRC provide an online tool to assess your employment status: Employment Status Tool The following badges of trade are some of the factors HM Revenue & Customs would use in assessing whether income…

Similar to share dealings, you must declare any gains or losses from cryptocurrency investments on your personal tax return. It is important to keep records of dates, currency type, amounts bought or sold, and the value. There are several software options that can assist you with this; the best will include converting the currency to…

During the first lockdown HMRC paused most debt collection activities, which has contributed to the total UK tax debt of £39bn according to The Public Accounts Committee. HMRC have stated, “We are recouping debt safely, taking into account customers’ circumstances and making repayments affordable. It’s in no-one’s interests to push viable businesses into insolvency when…

HMRC police the tax system by investigating the accuracy of tax returns, VAT returns, payroll, etc via targeted, or random, tax enquiries. With a budget deficit of over £355 billion we fully expect HMRC to raise more enquiries this year to increase tax revenues. You will want to be in a position to ensure that…

As R&D tax relief rules are arguably the most generous on the UK tax statute book, it is perhaps no surprise that HMRC consider that there is much abuse going on. For every £1 that a corporate taxpayer claims as an eligible R&D spend, their corporation tax bill is reduced by 43.7p (ie, not the…

HRMC continue their campaign against broadcasters, with another successful case against former Sky presenter Dave Clark. Mr Clark presented and commentated on professional darts tournaments, and tried to argue his company’s relationship to Sky was one of self-employment.   His appeal has been rejected, with almost all the usual “badges of trade” having failed. Sky…