HMRC Investigation? Don't Face It Alone — I'll Handle the Dispute and Protect Your Position

Receiving an HMRC enquiry letter or being told you are under investigation is one of the most stressful experiences a taxpayer or business owner can face. The process is deliberately opaque, the correspondence is often ambiguous, and the consequences of responding incorrectly — or saying more than you need to — can be severe. I advise individuals, company directors, and businesses who are facing HMRC enquiries, Code of Practice 9 investigations, Serious Fraud Office referrals, and dawn raid situations, providing robust legal advice and professional representation throughout. I handle all types of HMRC investigation: self-assessment enquiries, PAYE and payroll compliance reviews, VAT assurance visits, Code of Practice 8 avoidance investigations, and the most serious Code of Practice 9 cases involving suspected fraud. The moment you instruct me, I take over all communications with HMRC so that you do not inadvertently make admissions or provide information beyond what is legally required. My goal in every case is to bring the investigation to the best available outcome — whether that means a negotiated settlement, a technical challenge to HMRC's position, or, where appropriate, a formal appeal. I also advise on voluntary disclosure where a client has identified undeclared income or errors in past returns before HMRC makes contact. Making a voluntary disclosure at the right time and in the right way can make a significant difference to the penalties ultimately imposed — HMRC's penalty regime rewards unprompted disclosure. I advise on the Worldwide Disclosure Facility for offshore income and the Let Property Campaign for undeclared rental income. How It Works 1. HMRC correspondence reviewed and initial position assessed 2. I take over all communications with the enquiry officer 3. Strategic response prepared — challenge, negotiate, or disclose 4. Settlement agreed or appeal lodged if appropriate 5. Penalty mitigation representations submitted What You Get - Representation in all HMRC communications from day one - Technical challenge to HMRC's legal position where appropriate - Penalty mitigation representations - Voluntary disclosure strategy and submission FAQ Q: Do I have to respond to HMRC's questions? A: Not always. Some requests are informal and can be challenged. Others are backed by statutory information powers. I advise on what you are legally required to provide. Q: What is the difference between a COP8 and COP9 investigation? A: COP8 covers suspected tax avoidance. COP9 involves suspected serious fraud and includes a Contractual Disclosure Facility offer. COP9 requires an immediate decision on whether to make a full disclosure. Q: Can HMRC go back more than four years? A: Yes — HMRC can go back six years for careless errors and twenty years for deliberate non-compliance. For offshore matters the discovery window is extended further.