What powers do HM Revenue & Customs now have?
As of April 2009 HMRC are able to visit business premises to inspect records covering all taxes including corporate, income, PAYE, NI, Capital Gains and VAT. They can now alsoissue written queries before you have even submitted your annual tax returns.
Can anyones tax affairs be scrutinised by HMRC?
Anyone that pays tax come under scrutiny. Every year, HMRC starts enquiries into thousands of personal and busines tax returns and accounts. VAT and PAYE payments are also thoroughly checked. The aim in every case is to collect more tax.
I've done nothing wrong, why should I worry about a tax enquiry?
Most enquiries are generated by computer "risk profiling" and many are selected completely at random. As a result, HRMC sometimes picks the wrong targets. Even if you have done nothing wrong, the taxman will not give up and will still try to find errors.
How much could a tax enquiry cost me in professional fees?
The question asked by HMRC are usually very detailed and time-consuming to answer. The costs of defending you can easily run into the thousands of pounds, even if little or no extra tax is paid at the end of the enquiry. These costs are not covered by the normal annual fees paid to your accountant.
Is there anything I can do for peace of mind?
You can subscibe to he Fee Protection Service which will cover you for the work and cost of defending you in the event of a tax enquiry by HMRC.
What is the Fee Protection Service?
It is a service set up by your accountant to protect clients from HMRC queries. For a small fee, clients can subscribeto the Service and obtain the benefits described opposite. The service is backed by an insurance policy that the practice has arranged through Taxwise. Under the policy, the practice can claim professional costs incurred defending clients in the event of a tax enquiry.
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What are the main benefits to subcribing clients of this service?
- Your accountant will defend you should you recieve any correspondence or visit from the HRMC.
- The potentially high cost of professional fees for that defence will be claimed under the practises insurance policy.
- It will not be neccessary to accept unreasonable tax charges by HMRC due to concerns about professional fees
What is covered by the service?
You will be fully protected by the Service and the practise will claim under an insurance policy which provides cover up to £75,000 of professional costs in the following circumstances:
- Dealing with any correspondence from HRMC.
- Attendance at any meeting with HRMC.
- Appeal to the first-tier or Upper Tribunal.
What is not covered by the service?
Some costs will not be covered under the Service, including the following:
- Routine compliance work, e.g. preparing your tax return
- Overseeing HMRC whilst they review your records
- Outstanding taxes, penalties, interest or any other amounts due to HMRC
- Defence of criminal prosecution cases or serious fraud enquires
- Fees relating to pre-existing tax enquiries
What will it cost to join?
Your accountant, will provide details separately of the annual Service Charges that are payable by different categories of clients.
How do I join or obtain more information?
Click here to email us or call us 01280 820654 |
