Our approach

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) tax investigations can be intimidating and undermine your business and reputation. At worst, they can be a threat to your liberty. The modern regime at HMRC can seem abrasive and hard to manage. Although very serious cases are few in practice, the incidence is increasing as HMRC concentrates its focus on targeting and tackling tax evasion in all its forms (the yield from tax investigations now runs into billions of pounds and is growing each year).

By working with HMRC, and understanding the reasons for its enquiries, it is possible to exercise a level of control and reduce both the timescale and, consequently, the level of anxiety (something we never underestimate). Whilst we only act on the basis that a full and frank disclosure will be made, we will robustly defend our clients’ legitimate technical positions.

At the other end of the scale, there are times when local district level enquiries can cause particular problems, and we are certainly noticing a tendency for HMRC to take entrenched or unusual positions. We specialise in unblocking these situations – sometimes a fresh pair of eyes can see a way forward that is not obvious when you are closely involved. In between the tax districts, the Prosecution Office and Specialist Investigations Office is a host of other specialist departments that may raise investigative enquiries, including the anti-avoidance divisions and the Offshore Fraud Project Teams.

As part of HMRC Compliance Checks, effective from 1 April 2009, the operation of PAYE, National Insurance, VAT and other taxes are also under scrutiny and we have the experience to deal with these cases most effectively.

At Myers Clark we: