Professional tax advisors representing clients during enquires have found HMRC’s conduct during investigations exasperating. 

One very serious issue is that HMRC do not always make interviewees aware that meetings are voluntary and that they are under no obligation to give answers. One taxpayer complained to his MP about this action and was told that this was an oversight particular to the case in hand.  Research into the matter suggests otherwise: the following article http://www.qdosconsulting.com/qdosmain.asp?file=3bhjm92ct1sm suggests in paragraph 6 that HMRC never advise that meetings are voluntary and an article entitled Tactical Misinformation in the 10 April 2008 issue of Taxation raises the issue of voluntary meetings and HMRC’s actions generally.

There are serious concerns about the way HMRC conduct themselves in some cases. In one case the facts seem to have been distorted to arrive at the result that produces the largest tax yield; other cases have run on for years as HMRC try to defer making refunds.

Sometimes HMRC initially seem cooperative however they often appear to lose patience and favour heavy-handed tactics.  On occasions HMRC have failed to read reports submitted by professional advisors and, when issuing their own opinion, have stated that they were not intending to enter into a dialogue and gave only a few days to respond.

In situations such as this AegisTax, knowing from the inside how HMRC operate, have the knowledge and experience necessary to counter HMRC tactics and resolve cases efficiently, obtaining the best possible result for their clients.