The most common mistake people make when HMRC opens an enquiry is responding before getting professional advice. HMRC’s letters are carefully worded to encourage early disclosure. Anything you provide — documents, explanations, figures — becomes part of the case and cannot be withdrawn. People respond quickly thinking it will help. It doesn’t. It gives HMRC more to work with.
The second most common mistake is ignoring it entirely. That gives HMRC the power to issue assessments based on their own estimates, and those estimates are never in your favour.
Between responding too fast and not responding at all, there’s a narrow window where the right professional response makes a significant difference. When you come to us, we review the correspondence, assess your exposure — worst case, likely case, and what we can do about it — and take over all communications. You don’t deal with HMRC directly. We handle everything.
We prepare all responses, ensuring we provide what’s required without volunteering unnecessary information. We negotiate on penalties, which range from 0% for an unprompted disclosure of a genuine mistake to 100% for deliberate and concealed behaviour. The difference between those levels can be tens of thousands of pounds. We handle these regularly.
HMRC examines a specific item on your return — a particular expense, a property transaction, a discrepancy. Focused, but they can expand if HMRC finds more issues. Early, well-prepared engagement usually leads to a better outcome.
Covers your entire return and all sources of income. HMRC can open one within 12 months of filing. Requires detailed disclosure of records and financial affairs. We manage all information requests and represent you throughout.
If HMRC suspects deliberate tax evasion, they may issue a COP9 notice offering the Contractual Disclosure Facility. This is serious — it’s HMRC’s alternative to criminal prosecution. You need specialist representation immediately.
If you know your tax affairs aren’t right — undeclared income, missed returns, errors on previous filings — coming forward before HMRC comes to you will almost always result in significantly lower penalties. We manage the disclosure process from start to finish.
Schedule a free 30-minute consultation to discuss your personal tax compliance.
