Tax dispute resolution
Expert advice to guide you through tax disputes with, and disclosures to, HM Revenue & Customs.
Who can benefit?
Our tax dispute resolution service provides expert support and advice to anyone facing a tax investigation or needs to make a disclosure to HMRC.
How does it work?
The pressure to close the ‘Tax Gap’ and provide more funds for the government means HMRC have been asked to improve and speed up their performance. That means more money from tax checks and enquiries. New intrusive information powers are now available to inspectors and they are starting to use them.
In this climate, specialist tax investigation expertise becomes even more important in delivering the best possible result for you.
Our Tax dispute resolution services include:
- Dealing with Specialist Investigations of HMRC, including Code of Practice 9 (COP 9)
Specialist Investigations are opening many cases. If you receive a COP9 letter you must make an outline disclosure within 60 days and a detailed disclosure thereafter. If you do not make an outline disclosure you may face a criminal investigation. COP9 is very serious and EDF has the experience and expertise to help.
- Managing disclosures under the Liechtenstein Disclosure Facility (LDF)
The Liechtenstein Disclosure Facility, which will run until 2015, is a wonderful opportunity for clients with offshore accounts, even if not originally in Liechtenstein, to disclose and resolve any tax problems. HMRC may settle for fewer years and a smaller penalty than under a standard enquiry. Expert advice is necessary to ensure the full benefits are obtained.
An alternative to the LDF is the new Switzerland agreement and we can also assist with advice and disclosures.
- Resolving all types of HMRC enquiries
- Negotiation of settlements with HMRC
- Advice and support on appeals, discovery, information powers, penalties and Tribunal hearings
- Defending tax planning
- Reviewing implementation of tax planning – for planning to work implementation must be perfect
- Reviewing corporate residence – is that company still resident overseas?
Tax Investigation Experience
EDF Tax is flexible in how we support you when dealing with HMRC. We do not prepare accounts or tax returns so existing agents retain these roles. We can take on the working of an enquiry until resolution, engaging directly with you. Alternatively we can advise on the conduct of the enquiry in the background or be engaged to handle a specific item like a meeting, a penalty demand or a Tribunal hearing.
We have experience of handling and resolving the most serious enquiries including COP 9. We have staff who have worked for HMRC and so can understand the inspector’s perspective. We will work with you to resolve the tax dispute as quickly as possible and by advancing all reasonable arguments in your favour seek to reduce the amount due.
How much will it cost?
We aim to be transparent on costs and where possible we will quote up front for the whole project.
Who to contact?
For more information contact Iain Macleod at EDF Tax on 0115 983 5580, imacleod@edftax.co.uk