Tax investigations are a costly business, and order to ensure that our clients are protected against the expenses of an investigation, we offer the opportunity to enrol with our HMRC Investigation Service which is fully backed by an Insurance Policy, by Markel Tax.
If you are subject to an enquiry, as a member of our HMRC Investigation Service you will have one of our expert tax consultants defend and negotiate your position with HMRC, protecting you from any costly fees, free of charge.
Having the appropriate service protection removes any stress and will save you a great deal of time and resource that could save you thousands of pounds.
Protect Yourself with Our Tax Investigations Service
Here are five reasons why we feel it is important to take out our HMRC Investigation Service.
- Tax investigations can happen to anyone, whether you are an individual or in business.
- HMRC is working hard to collect more revenue than ever before. Last year it generated £30.4 billion from compliance activity and it plans to increase this figure significantly over the next 12 months. This means that the chances of being selected for an enquiry are on the rise.
- HMRC is becoming more sophisticated in its approach to recovering tax with the details held within its systems. This enables HMRC to be increasingly targeted in its selection of those it chooses for investigation.
- Don’t underestimate the impact on you or your business of the stress and anxiety caused by being selected for an enquiry.
- Our HMRC Investigation Service ensures that you have an experienced professional on your side when you need them at no additional cost.
Download our Tax Investigations Service Brochure
To download our Tax Investigations Brochure, including full-service details and costs, please click here.
Service protection
Fee Protection of up to £125,000 is provided in the event of:
Full and aspect enquiries into:
- Corporation Tax Returns
- Partnership Tax Returns
- Sole Trader Tax Returns
- Personal Tax Returns
Disputes into:
- VAT
- Employer Compliance (PAYE, P11D and NIC)
- IR35
Code of practice 8 enquiries (£5,000 limit of indemnity) and Inheritance Tax enquiries (£5,000 limit of indemnity)
HMRC use of Information and Inspection Powers/Sch.36 Pre Disputes in respect of:
- VAT control visits
- Employer Compliance Visits
- Check of Employer Records
- National Minimum Wage reviews
- Interventions
- Requests for information
- Capital Gain Tax
Main exclusions
- Fees incurred prior to the written acceptance of a claim.
- HMRC Specialist Investigations, Civil Investigations of Fraud, Criminal Investigations Sections, Fraud Investigation Service, Counter Avoidance Sections and Code of Practice 9 cases.
- Returns submitted more than 90 days after the due date.
- Notification by HMRC of any of the above prior to subscribing to the service.
- Failure to notify/register for tax or VAT.
- Compliance costs associated with routine submission of statutory returns e.g. P11D’s RTI Returns, CIS Returns etc.
- Cases of suspected fraud e.g. Code of Practice 9 cases and Public Notice 160 enquiries.
- Where there is no reasonable prospect of challenging HMRC (VAT, PAYE and IR35 Disputes).
- Costs for third party valuations.
- Tax planning arrangements where HMRC have allocated DoTAS Number and/or bespoke tax planning arrangements outside of the normal trade.
In the event a client faces investigation, we will represent you and reclaim any costs incurred in dealing with the Enquiry directly from the insurance company. The practice will be responsible and have the discretion for making claims under our Policy. Clients will be responsible for any fees that we cannot recover from our Insurers.
Employment, health and safety, and business legal advice
Business clients who subscribe to the service also have access to a 24-hour telephone helpline. More information can be found overleaf and details of how to access this service will be sent with your service confirmation.
Business and commercial legal helpline
As an additional benefit of subscribing to the service, business clients receive unlimited access to a business legal helpline. This is a 24-hour, 365 days a year telephone advice service manned by a highly experienced team of 70 barristers and solicitors. The helpline provides a wide range of companies and organisations with commercial, employment and health and safety advice.
Commercial Advice
There are many areas within a business which, if not handled correctly, can take a substantial amount of resources to resolve. The legal advisors will be at hand to provide you with details of the relevant and current legislation in respect of any guidance you may need on matters including:
- Intellectual Property
- Small claims court procedures
- Business tenancies
- Debt recovery
- Dealing with complaint letters (asserting rights)
- Dealing with statutory demands
Employment Advice
Employment legislation can be a minefield and an incorrect decision could put your business into turmoil. Therefore, the advice line can help to ensure your business remains compliant and proper, fair procedures are followed. You can receive advice on matters including:
- Recruitment
- Discrimination
- Appraisal and disciplinary procedures
Health and Safety Advice
All businesses are required by law to undertake a full health and safety risk assessment of their premises and business procedures. In the event of accidents, businesses could be involved in a civil claim for compensation and there could also be criminal prosecutions resulting in fines and even imprisonment. You may receive advice on:
- Undertaking health and safety assessment
- Correct procedures in the workplace
- Understanding new legislation
Legal Telephone Advice Services
The telephone legal advice is provided by Markel Law LLP and can advise on general UK law. Markel Protection Group Limited is a corporate member of Markel Law LLP. Markel Law LLP is regulated and authorised by the Solicitors Regulation Authority. Markel Law makes no additional charge for providing these telephone services.
The advice will primarily be provided by Markel Law LLP and its team of solicitors, who are ultimately managed by the Director of Legal Services (who is a lawyer).
If the client has a complaint about these telephone legal advice services, they should contact the customer services manager, Markel Law LLP, Interchange, 81-85 Station Road, Croydon CR0 2AJ. If the client is unhappy with the written response from the customer services manager, the client may contact the Legal Ombudsman at PO Box 6806 Wolverhampton WV1 9WJ, or www.legalombudsman.org.uk, or 0300 555 0333 and ask them to consider the matter. The Legal Ombudsman will only consider matters which have been submitted to it within the earliest of the following timescales: (a) within 1 year from the act/omission complained of; (b) within 1 year from when the client should reasonably have known there was a cause for complaint, without taking advice from a third party and; (c) within 6 months of the client receiving a written reply from Markel Protection Group Limited concerning the complaint.
If you also wish to make Markel Tax aware of the complaint, please contact the customer services manager, Markel Tax, One Mitchell Court, Castle Mound Way, Rugby CV23 0UY. Tel: 0345 223 2727.
