Tax Investigations
Straightforward, well-managed support if HMRC opens an enquiry into your tax affairs. Whatever the scale, you'll always have a clear point of contact and a plan for what happens next.
Get in touchA tax investigation is when HMRC looks more closely at your tax affairs, or your business's. It can range from a simple check on one figure on a return, through to a fuller review covering several years. Whatever the scale, it's easy to feel unsure about what's being asked, why, and what happens next.
We handle investigations and enquiries for our clients as a matter of course. How we manage each case depends on the type of investigation and how complex the situation is — but you'll always have a clear point of contact and a plan for what happens next.
How we support you
In-house, where we can
Many enquiries are straightforward and can be managed directly by our accountants — liaising with HMRC on your behalf, pulling together the right records, and answering questions as they arise. This keeps things simple and keeps costs down.
With specialist support, where it's needed
For more complex or higher-risk cases, we work alongside trusted tax advisors who specialise in investigations. We stay closely involved throughout, coordinating between you and the specialist so you're never left dealing with an unfamiliar adviser on your own.
Common types of investigation we deal with
HMRC enquiries come in different forms, and the right level of support depends on which one you're facing:
Self-assessment enquiries
HMRC queries a specific figure on your personal tax return, or opens a fuller review of the whole return.
Corporation tax enquiries
A review of your company's tax return, usually focused on specific figures, expenses, or reliefs claimed.
VAT inspections
Checks on VAT returns and the records behind them, sometimes including a visit or call from an HMRC officer.
PAYE and payroll checks
A review of how payroll has been run and reported, including PAYE, National Insurance, and benefits in kind.
Code of Practice 8 (COP8)
Used where HMRC suspects tax has been underpaid through avoidance rather than dishonesty. These cases usually call for specialist tax advisor involvement.
Code of Practice 9 (COP9)
The most serious category, used where HMRC suspects deliberate or fraudulent underpayment. Specialist representation is essential from the outset, and we bring in a specialist tax advisor immediately.
Random and aspect enquiries
Routine checks on one aspect of a return. These don't necessarily mean anything is wrong, and are often the most straightforward to resolve.
How we decide the right approach
Not every enquiry needs the same level of involvement. Routine and aspect enquiries are often resolved with a short exchange of information and can be managed entirely in-house. Cases involving disputed figures, historic records, COP8, or COP9 call for more specialist expertise from the outset.
Where possible, we manage matters in-house or provide direct support to an external tax advisor, rather than handing the whole case over. This keeps your costs together and proportionate to the complexity of the investigation, and means you always have one familiar contact managing things on your side.
If HMRC has contacted you
Don't ignore any letter or notice from HMRC, and there's no need to panic. Get in touch with us as soon as you can — the sooner we're involved, the more options we usually have for resolving things smoothly and keeping any additional costs to a minimum.
Received a letter from HMRC?
Talk to us before you respond. The sooner we're involved, the more options we usually have for resolving things smoothly.
Get in touch