Tax Investigations (HMRC)
HMRC tax investigations can be intrusive and stressful, which is why you can expect total support from Cartwright King’s tax solicitors to help you deal with HMRC if you face an investigation.
You can rely on the legal know-how of our top business crime solicitors to help you navigate tax investigations unscathed, protecting you from fines, reputational damage and criminal charges.
Need a specialist Tax Solicitor?
Turn to our Tax Solicitors for HMRC Investigation help
Benefit from the experience of Cartwright King’s specialist business crime team for calm, collected legal representation. No case is too complex for our team, which is why we offer advocacy services to defend you at every stage when you’re facing a tax investigation, from the Magistrates Court to the Higher Courts.
From start to finish, we’re at your service with legal help:
- Advising on how to respond to HMRC
- Assessing tax risk
- Assisting with voluntary and involuntary tax disclosures
- Dealing with correspondence from HMRC
- Defending you against allegations of Carbon Trading Fraud
- Defending your business against VAT Fraud Allegations
- Keeping your tax information private
- Negotiating tax penalties
- Representing you in meetings, interviews or at court
Why work with Cartwright King’s Business Crime team?
A HMRC investigation requires an immediate response. When you instruct us, we will act fast, getting up to speed with the situation and taking steps to protect your reputation and keep you free of criminal charges. You need business crime solicitors that know what they’re doing and ready to move at a moment’s notice.
Cartwright King delivers swift, incisive legal services to help resolve your case successfully. Contact us today for legal representation.
We're here for you.
Frequently asked questions.
What is a HMRC Tax Investigation?
HMRC has the right to investigate you at any point to ensure that you are paying the right amount of tax. They may want to look into a number of areas of your business, including:
- The tax you pay
- Your accounts and tax calculations
- Your Self Assessment tax return for a given year
- Your company Tax Return
- Your PAYE records and returns if you are an employer
- Your VAT returns and records if you are VAT-registered
It is worth noting that businesses often targeted by HMRC include construction, restaurants, doctors and dentists, and buy-to-lets. They are now looking at private security, property rentals, and specifically in the Midlands have special teams investigating the used motor trade, and those with hidden wealth.
What can be expected during a tax investigation?
If your business is under investigation, there are three different levels of audit that HMRC might carry out. These are:
- Full enquiry
HMRC will review your entire business records. In investigations into limited companies, they might look into the tax affairs of company directors as well as the affairs of the business itself.
- Aspect enquiry
HMRC will look into a particular aspect of your accounts, for example, inconsistencies in a section of a recent tax return.
- Random check
This could happen at any time, regardless of the state of your accounts or whether you have triggered an alert.
During an investigation, prepare to be asked questions that may feel probing. HMRC may ask to visit you at your home, as well as your business address.
What business taxes might HMRC investigate?
A HMRC investigation may involve them looking closely at a number of areas, including:
- Income Tax
- VAT
- Corporation Tax
- Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)
- IR35
Any other tax
If you are worried that you could be the target of a HMRC investigation, get legal advice from an experienced Cartwright King business defence solicitor
How do I know if HMRC are investigating me?
Consider whether you are doing any of the following:
- Paying-in/declaring cash income
- Working ‘off the books’
- Putting personal expenses through a business
- Avoiding mention of foreign bank accounts
- Failing to mention interest on investments
- Paying for services in cash or misdescribing items on an invoice (to help someone else evade tax)
These are only some of the reasons why HMRC may start investigating you. Businesses under investigation will receive an official HMRC investigation letter or phone call, which will make it clear what they want to look at.
Bear in mind that if you use an accountant, they might contact them instead. If this happens, your accountant should be in touch to let you know.
How long do tax investigations last?
It can be difficult to know how long it will be until a tax investigation is resolved.
Keep in mind that if you are under investigation by HMRC, it is vital that you seek legal advice to ensure that your position is properly protected. Our acclaimed business defence solicitors have an extensive amount of experience defending clients who are facing tax investigations.
How do I get through a tax investigation?
As soon as there is any hint of an HMRC investigation, it is vital that you seek expert advice immediately. Despite the potential seriousness of the situation, there are many ways to reduce it and often to obtain immunity and avoid any criminal investigation or prosecution.
Similarly, you may be worried that your tax affairs could give HMRC a reason to investigate you. If this is the case, you should seek advice to establish any problems and avoid them becoming serious.
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