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Hazlewoods

Tax Investigation Service

What is a Tax Investigation?

  • Many tax investigations occur randomly. However, unusual fluctuations, undisclosed accounts, and irregular spending can also trigger an enquiry into individuals and companies.
  • HMRC has the authority to inspect business documents and assets at your premises, request additional documents and information, conduct unannounced inspections, and investigate matters going back up to six years.
  • These investigations can be disruptive, intrusive, and costly. When HMRC investigates, the process can extend for a year or more, leading to mounting expenses and increased stress levels.
£0bn
Total Tax Revenues
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HMRC Compliance Checks in 2023/24
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The Average Cost of an Enquiry

Our Expertise

Our Tax Investigation Service means that should you, or your business, suffer an HMRC investigation we can:

  • Provide you with full professional representation from tax and accountancy staff who already know you and understand your tax affairs
  • Handle HMRC on your behalf by dealing with all correspondence and attending all meetings
  • Negotiate the best possible result for you
  • ​We believe that our Tax Investigation Service provides a lifeline to our clients by providing low cost, but valuable peace of mind, at a time when it is most needed.
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Case Studies

Incorrect Information

HMRC opened an enquiry into an individual suggesting a client had not declared all of their income on their tax return. HMRC then refused to disclose to the client what information they held.

The enquiry lasted for over three years and cost over £15,000 to deal with in accountancy fees alone.

It turned out that HMRC’s information was incorrect and that no tax penalties or interest were due. However the accountant’s fees were still settled under the Tax Investigation Service.

Cross Tax Enquiry

HMRC launched a “Cross Tax Enquiry” into a manufacturing business that included a full review of the entire corporation tax return and four years of PAYE and VAT records.

From the outset it became clear that HMRC were unsure exactly what they were looking for and were undergoing a fishing expedition.

The questioning became increasingly onerous and seemingly endless. After one meeting alone, dozens of questions followed. Despite the best efforts of the advisor, the enquiry dragged on for over two years, resulting in only small adjustments. Over £20,000 of fees were settled under the Tax Investigation Service.

Did you know?

Last year HMRC collected £41 billion from tax investigations and enquiries. They also revealed that in the year to 2023, it brought in a record total of £843 billion in taxes, up by 15.4% on the previous year.

The stress and cost of an investigation can be considerable and our expertise can save you time and money in the long run. There has never been a better time to subscribe to our Tax Investigation Service. Subscribing clients will also have free access to a specialist Unannounced HMRC Visits Helpline.

HMRC can visit at any time and we believe it is vitally important you can get the advice you need, when you need it. Subscribe to our Tax Investigation Service today to protect yourself from the costs involved in a tax investigation.

It could happen to you.

Every year, HMRC carries out enquiries into the tax affairs of an increasing number of individuals and businesses in the UK. Many people find an HMRC enquiry disruptive, intrusive, stressful and ultimately expensive.

There does not need to be a reason for HMRC to check your tax affairs. If you submit a tax return you can be selected at random, even if you have done nothing wrong.

There has been a surge in compliance cases opened by HMRC as it ramps up tax investigations work. 316,000 checks had been opened in the year to 31 June 2023 – up 30% from 247,000 in the previous 12 months. A tax investigation can cost you thousands of pounds in accountancy fees and can often drag on for years. The average cost of an investigation is £3,800 in accountancy fees.

Nothing to hide?

Many tax enquiries are conducted at random. Unfortunately even innocent taxpayers get caught up in the process and are under threat of investigation. Whether or not there is an issue with your tax affairs, an investigation is a time-consuming process that can rack up substantial accountancy fees.

We have taken out an insurance policy in our own name that is backed by Bespoke Fee Protection, one of the UK’s leading providers. Our policy enables us to provide you with expert advice and peace of mind knowing we will work on your case to resolve the situation up to our service limits.

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TAX INVESTIGATION SERVICE 2024/25

APPLICATION FORM (for the period to 31 October 2025)

"*" indicates required fields

All fees inclusive of VAT

Select Service Level*
Tick as appropriate
* If you have gross rental income in excess of £50,000 per year or a business with turnover in excess of £50,000 you should select the sole trader category.

** Partner, director and spouse personal protection – a business subscription will automatically provide personal protection for its partners/directors and their spouses.
This only applies if we prepare the tax returns for the partner/director/spouse and subject to the further condition set out below.

*** If a partner/director/spouse has personal gross rental income in excess of £50,000 per year or a separate business with turnover in excess of £50,000 they will need to pay a supplementary sole trader fee.
Please complete details in the table below and highlight those individuals requiring an additional subscription.

Subscriber Details

Name(s) of subscribers/business. Include company name and any partners/directors/spouses taking additional sole trade cover.
Supplementary sole trader subscription*** £116.00 inclusive of VAT
Supplementary sole trader subscription*** £116.00 inclusive of VAT
Supplementary sole trader subscription*** £116.00 inclusive of VAT

If you require additional fields please contact Fiona Isherwood
Tel: 01242 680000 or email: Fiona.isherwood@hazlewoods.co.uk

Groups of companies – a separate quote will need to be provided and you should contact Fiona Isherwood on 01242 680000 to arrange this.

We will issue an invoice for payment upon submission of this form.

Declaration

Service Agreement*
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