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By turning to
this section, you are probably admitting that HMRC investigations are
not your cup of tea. My relationships with accountancy practices are
of varying degrees. Some will phone for advice on particular aspects
of individual cases. Some will ask me to deal with what they regard
as the more problematical investigations. Some will hand every one
to me, on immediate receipt of HMRC's first letter.
In most cases, I deal directly with the client and the Inspector,
invoicing the client. In others, I will deal through yourselves, if
you do not wish either the client, the Inspector or both to know that
you are using specialist assistance. I describe this as 'I make
the bullets, you fire the shots'.
My experience has made me the ideal man to handle your clients enquires.
I have the following advantages:
Certainly, the large nationals will offer you the same service - at
4 to 5 times my rates.
I have dealt with every type of small to medium business - and some
larger ones. They have included a Car Repair Workshop, Sports Goods
Retailer, Plant Hirer, Bed & Breakfast Accomodation, Property
Developer, Post Office & CTN, Heating Engineer, Indian Restaurant, Pub,
Plumber, Paving Contractor, Hypnotist, Care Services Provider, General
Builder, Farmer and many others. These are a combination of small
to medium sole traders, partnerships, companies and individuals. And
of course, Pubs! HMRC are very keen on Pub investigations, and
I have never been beaten on one yet!
Within this list are Civil and Criminal Investigation of Fraud cases. If ever you
get a CIF investigation, for the sake of your client and your sanity, contact
me immediately.
I am a Consultant for the ICAEW Tax Faculty Referral Scheme. See this
year's handbook or website. If you are a Faculty member, give me a ring.
I have a non-HMRC background, and consequently am unstifled by
HMRC training. I have always operated in the real world, and know
how it works, while being familiar with HMRC techniques.
I regard this as a great advantage. Try one of the nationals.
In addition to rates mentioned above, you will almost certainly be
dealing with an ex-Inspector. Their attitude is usually 'If I were
an Inspector, I would yield so far on this case. Therefore, i will
only go for a result that I would expect another Inspector to accept'.
I am not hampered by such yardsticks, and will go for a 100% result
if practicable.
There is none of the usual fudge of 'We'll give on this point, they'll
give on that point, and we will eventually reach a compromise that
keeps the Inspector happy, gets the job out of our hair, and leaves
the client to pay an unjustly large settlement. We don't want to upset the Revenue'. I don't mind upsetting them, in fact I positively
enjoy it, provided the client gets a fair result.
Ability to negotiate or stand firm, as the situation demands.
Each case is a one-off job, and should be treated as such.
The way that the job is handled, and the final result, depend on a
combination of the strength or otherwise of the clients case, the
characteristics of the client, and the characteristics of the Inspector.
At the top end of the scale, I will confidently launch into a full
defence of every aspect of the clients affairs. At the bottom end,
I will attempt a damage limitation exercise. As you can appreciate,
most cases come somewhere in between.
investigations taken over at any stage - it's never too late to make
a difference. A true story. A pub investigation had been dealt with
by the landlords accountant, to the point where the only element missing
was the landlords signature on the offer letter. The offer was £25,000.
The landlord asked me to have a look at the case. I wrote to the Inspector,
requesting copies of all correspondence, and a delay of two weeks.
The Inspector provided the correspondence (without any excess of joy)
and received his reply within two weeks. The result was a revised
offer letter, for £10,000. The fee to the landlord was £700.
There are two morals to this story - 'Horses for courses' and 'If
you're in a hole, stop digging'. I much prefer to see an enquiry through
from start to finish. But if you are part way through, and in the
proverbial hole, I will be pleased to help you.
Flexible arrangements - your client need not even know. This is the
' I make the bullets, you fire the shots' scenario mentioned above.
It tends to be a cumbersome arrangement, but if that is the way you
want it, it can be done.
Above all, an excellent record, with consistently successful results.
What more need be said?
I know that many of you now have your clients covered by fee insurance
schemes. I have dealt with many cases covered by such schemes, and
the insurers have raised no objection.
This section has dealt in the main with HMRC local office and CIF investigations,
which constitute my main activities. However, I also deal with such
matters as status, employer compliance and VAT investigations, which have
included representation at VAT Tribunals.
Two quotes from TAX INSPECTORS:
Local office, during final negotiations:
"If I was being investigated, I would want you to defend me"
Civil Investigation of Fraud, on completion of Disclosure Report:
"The report was to a very high standard, in fact it is one of the best we've seen."
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