Tax Investigations

Overview

Accounts investigation is an area in which HMRC often seems to enjoy a degree of supremacy over the accountancy profession, and HMRC are pouring resources into making the enquiry regime ever more effective.  The new compliance regime makes the settlement of investigations extremely expensive and has given HMRC ever increasing powers to obtain information and put pressure on taxpayers.  The new penalty regime is particularly draconian and poorly-advised taxpayers will pay through the nose.  Preparation is everything.

The experience of most clients, particularly since Customs merged with the Revenue, is that investigations are intrusive, aggressive and stressful.  Most practitioners will not have had the detailed training given to Inspectors in this area and may be vulnerable at just the time when their clients need their help the most.

But it doesn’t have to be that way any more!  This lecture provides a comprehensive and practical review of the compliance process and will help you to give your clients the proactive and practical advice and support that they need in the new tax compliance environment.

Course Content

Recent changes in the law
Relevant cases before the Commissioners and what can be learnt from them
Keeping the client's head down - how to identify risk of selection
Strategy - running cases successfully
Settling investigations, including review of the new penalty regime