HMRC Risk-led enquiries
May 16, 2014
HMRC Risk-led enquiries – just from their adverts it can be seen that HMRC’s attitude has changed!
HMRC has the right to investigate any tax return submitted by any taxpayer. They have considerable powers to inspect documents and to ask questions.
HMRC does not need a reason for an investigation. It selects some returns at random so an investigation does not necessarily mean that you are suspected of doing anything wrong.
The procedures for tax investigations are formal and subject to a code of conduct. They can often arise from a ‘discovery’. This includes situations where HMRC has discovered information not properly entered on your tax return. A discovery can extend the period HMRC have to investigate.
If you are contacted by HMRC about a tax return, you should contact us to ensure that the matter is dealt with properly.
Reducing the risk of an investigations
As some investigations are conducted at random, you can never completely escape the possibility of an inspection. However, most investigations, particularly the more detailed ones, arise because HMRC has concerns about a tax return.
The following steps should help avoid an unnecessary enquiry:
1. Make sure your returns are correct
Ensure that the arithmetic is correct, that the amounts relate to the right year and that all figures have been put in the appropriate box. If sending a paper return, make sure you have signed it.
2. Keep copies and documents
Keep a copy of the return with all the working papers to show how every figure on the return has been calculated. Along with supporting accounts and all documents for at least six years.
3. Record queries
If you have raised a query with HMRC, keep a note of it with your tax papers. If the query was made by telephone record the name of the tax officer, their department, the date and time and a note of what was said.
4. Check your figures
Compare the figures for turnover and profit with the previous year and with comparable trades. If there is a significant difference, ensure that you know why.
5. Contemplate full disclosure
Consider if any disclosure needs to be made in the ‘white space’ on a tax return. This is where you may disclose any other information. If you make a full disclosure in this space, it can restrict the right of HMRC to investigate, as HMRC cannot ‘discover’ what you have already told them.
6. Check your bases
Check the bases you use for determining the tax treatment. Do not assume that a basis is correct just because you have used it for many years without HMRC querying it.
What happens in an investigation?
You should contact us immediately if you receive an enquiry letter from HMRC. If it is a routine enquiry, we can ensure that any questions are answered promptly and fully.
HMRC can impose penalties for mistakes. The size of these penalties depends on:
- whether the mistake was careless or reckless
- whether it was concealed or voluntarily disclosed
- how much you cooperate with HMRC
The tax payable plus interest and penalties can be a large figure. We may not be able to avoid penalties but we can ensure that the penalty is minimised as much as possible.
We can also ensure that HMRC does not demand to see papers that are protected by legal privilege. HMRC is not entitled to go on a ‘fishing expedition’ to see if it can find evidence of underpaid tax. There have been cases where taxpayers have successfully challenged HMRC’s demands for documents.
Conduct of an enquiry
HMRC will, generally, carry out enquiries where one of three things is suspected:
- fraud
- fraud and avoidance
- serious fraud
HMRC will tell you if they suspect fraud. If they do, they usually do not tell you what is suspected or what evidence they have for their suspicion. Instead you are invited to make a disclosure of any irregularities you are aware of. It is a final opportunity to ‘come clean’. Where HMRC suspects fraud, it is essential that you obtain professional advice.
Tax evasion is a criminal offence for which offenders can be imprisoned and get a criminal record. HMRC often prefers to use a procedure known as ‘civil investigation of fraud’. Under this, a taxpayer who cooperates may be fully able to avoid criminal action.
How to survive an investigation
The following should help you when being investigated:
Be calm, polite and cooperative
A taxpayer who is agitated, impolite or uncooperative could be seen as having something to hide. Such behaviour undermines the credibility of evidence. Politeness makes it more likely that HMRC will listen sympathetically to what you have to say. Cooperation can reduce the amount of any penalty, sometimes to zero.
Be honest and complete in disclosures
If you are open in admitting your mistakes, you make it more likely that your other comments will be believed. One of the worst things to do is to make a partial admission while holding something back.
HMRC may have information about you that it has not disclosed, such as other shareholdings or properties.
Get your facts straight
Do not change your story or be vague. For example, if money has been paid to a director, be clear whether this is salary, dividend, loan, loan repayment, rent, expenses or something else. Ensure that your records support this.
If a document is missing, recreate the original, stating that it is re-created, and include as much detail as can be provided.
Remember that verbal evidence is still evidence. Normally your accountant will speak for you but ensure that you have someone who has a good command of the facts. It is helpful to produce a timeline of what happened and when. You should know why all decisions were made. Have your documents ready in an indexed bundle.
Tax Investigation Service
Tax investigations can be expensive, even if you are cleared or are subject to a random inspection. In addition to your own time and the disruption to your business, there can be accountants’ fees, which can become significant.
We offer a Tax Investigation Services to meet the cost of HMRC investigations with business cover starting from as little as £11.56 plus VAT per month.
Please get in touch if you would like to discuss any aspect of tax investigations.
If this applies to you please contact Bevan & Buckland, or Lee directly using the details below, as soon as possible.
Lee Bradley
Tax Director
01792 410119
email: lee@bevanbuckland.co.uk
Bevan & Buckland Accountants Swansea Tel: 01792 410100
Bevan & Buckland Accountants Haverfordwest Tel: 01437 760666
Bevan & Buckland Accountants Pembroke Tel: 01646 682383
Bevan & Buckland Accountants Carmarthen Tel: 01267 233115
Bevan & Buckland Accountants St David’s Tel: 01437 720352
Bevan & Buckland Accountants Cardiff Tel: 02920 459960
Bevan & Buckland Accountants Newton Abbot Tel: 01626 361484
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