Dispute Resolution

Sometimes, HMRC enquiries do not involve any allegation of fraud but are simply challenges as to the way in which a particular item of expenditure or income should be treated for tax purposes.

Although any tax return can be subject to enquiry, most technical challenges relate in practice to the computation of business profits. And with the increasing complexity of tax legislation and the pressures on HMRC to fill the gaps in the Chancellor’s budgeting, this kind of thing is becoming more and more common.

If you’re facing a technical challenge from HMRC – an enquiry into the tax treatment of a particular receipt or expense – and the amounts are substantial, the effects on your business can be devastating, particularly if the matter relates to a number of years. With our experience of dealing with HMRC, we can support you through those challenges.

Usually it is best and most cost-effective to settle any dispute without recourse to formal legal proceedings, and it is always our aim to do so if we possibly can. Occasionally, however, we reach an impasse with HMRC and we will advise taking a case before the First-tier Tax Tribunal.

Tax fee protection

BKL clients are able to take advantage of protection at favourable rates against the professional costs of resolving tax disputes and also district-level investigations. If you are not covered, you can find out more about the costs and scope of the cover offered.