TAX INVESTIGATIONS
With a career spanning over 30 years each in this field of work the Principals of CoyleClarke have a unique team able to offer the right defence to a challenge from HM Revenue & Customs. Working out the right strategy at the very beginning of an enquiry and seeing it implemented can result in huge savings in time, effort, stress levels for clients and ultimately the cost in taxes owed. It makes perfect sense to weigh up the options but then go with the Team that has the experience.
Tax and VAT related enquiries come in many guises. Different Investigators with their different personalities can bring very different approaches to the same type of problem. Knowing the mindset of an Investigator and also knowing the limitations on their powers and obligations can help move control of a case away from an over zealous Investigator into the hands and control of the defence. Understanding the proper Complaints Procedures can help close off unwarranted attention.
The recent months have seen many changes in office structure within HM Revenue & Customs. The creation of the new Civil Investigation of Fraud and the move of some of the larger enquiry cases away from the traditional home for such work (Special Civil Investigations – formerly Special Compliance Office) will inevitably lead to cases being worked by staff not accustomed to the more complex issues. This may not quite be the sweeping generalisation it first appears. Advisers will do well to familiarise themselves with the correct procedures or have access to a Team that does have the experience.
Some advisers feel that Tax Investigation specialists are only really interested in the large and complex cases and feel uncomfortable asking for advice on what seem to be trivial points. For each client their circumstances are unique. The size should not matter but rather ensuring that whatever the problem it gets solved swiftly and fairly. CoyleClarke are prepared to offer advice on any size of case. They believe in providing a good, reliable and effective resource to their contacts. It is very much a case of horses for courses and general practitioners often prefer the comfort in being able to seek advice at whatever level in enquiry related cases.
