Services
How can I help?
A tax investigation that is not handled properly will cost you more in terms of the eventual settlement with HMRC, the professional fees you are charged, and the burden the whole process places on your business and private life.
It takes experience and judgement knowing just how much work needs to be done. That said, a tax enquiry can still be a labour intensive process. The hourly rates typically charged by some accountancy firms can make the cure seem worse than the complaint. I do not have the overheads of these firms and consequently I can devote the resources needed to achieve the right result at a cost that does not break the bank.
I provide a service directly to individuals whose businesses are under enquiry and also to their professional advisers.
There are a number of reasons why an accountant may wish to engage my services. Sometimes an accountant who has acted for a particular client for a number of years may feel the relationship is too close for the accountant to be objective. Matters may even have become “personal”. An accountant may not deal with tax enquiries on a regular enough basis to feel comfortable challenging the Inspector of Taxes which could result in the Inspector getting far too much his own way or even being provided with information and documents to which the Inspector has no right. In some cases, the accountant may simply be too busy to be able to allocate the resources that a tax enquiry demands. The engagement can be that I deal directly with HMRC or behind the scenes advising the accountant.
I only deal with tax disputes. I have no continuing relationship with the client and once the case is settled I pass the client back to you as you are the person who can provide the best service for the client’s continuing requirements. I will not poach your client.
HMRC may seem to have limitless resources when pursuing a tax enquiry. The client who has insurance to cover the cost of professional fees in the event of an enquiry will be on a more equal footing with the Inspector of Taxes. I can assist in these cases to everyone’s advantage.
Whoever I am acting for you can be assured that I will:
- Work with you and keep you fully informed at all stages
- Take away from you the stress of the enquiry to allow you to concentrate on your business and your private life
- Deal with the authorities directly on your behalf (if this is your wish)
- Negotiate with HMRC to achieve the best outcome
- Take all possible steps to protect your business.
Where are my clients?
This might seem like an odd question and in these days of modern communications it often does not matter where my clients are based. I have acted for clients in London and the South East, the West Country, the Midlands, the North East, Scotland and Northern Ireland. I have even resolved enquiries without meeting the client and I miss not being able to put a face to the voice on the phone with whom I have had so many conversations. When a meeting is the best way to proceed, this is rarely if ever a problem.
