If HMRC has opened an enquiry or you need to make a voluntary disclosure, early specialist advice can protect your position, reduce stress and help bring the matter to a quick, clear and final resolution.
What is an HMRC investigation?
HMRC can check personal or company tax affairs to ensure the right amount of tax has been paid. This may involve an enquiry into income tax, accounts, Self Assessment, corporation tax, PAYE, VAT or other tax records.
When to seek help
You should seek advice as soon as you receive a letter from HMRC, before sending information, making assumptions about what HMRC is entitled to request, or agreeing settlement figures.
Voluntary disclosures
If you identify unreported income, gains or errors before HMRC contacts you, a voluntary disclosure may be the most appropriate route. The process should be carefully managed to ensure the disclosure is accurate, complete and positioned correctly.
As well as in other circumstances, you should seek professional advice if you have any of the following matters ongoing with HMRC:
- HMRC enquiry letters and information requests.
- VAT, PAYE, Self Assessment and corporation tax enquiries.
- Code of Practice 8 and Code of Practice 9 cases.
- Offshore income, gains or asset disclosures.
- Voluntary disclosures and targeted HMRC campaigns.
How can Stratos help you?
Stratos can provide practical, technically robust support tailored to the facts, the tax position and help you to achieve the best outcome.
Issues which we regularly assist our clients in resolving include:
- Reviewing HMRC correspondence and identifying the scope of the enquiry.
- Liaising with HMRC on your behalf.
- Preparing information responses and technical explanations.
- Advising on voluntary disclosure routes and settlement strategy.
- Calculating tax, interest and potential penalties.
- Negotiating with HMRC to reach the best possible resolution.
Get Specialist Help with an HMRC Enquiry or Disclosure
Contact Stratos before responding to HMRC. We can review the enquiry, prepare correspondence to explain your options and manage the process on your behalf.
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Case Study
Resolving Undeclared Rental Income
The Challenge
The client had been receiving rental income for several years without realising that it was taxable or that a Self Assessment tax return was required. This went undiscovered until the client received a Let Property Campaign letter from HMRC, advising that HMRC was aware of the undeclared income.
The letter imposed a strict 90‑day deadline for the client to make a full disclosure covering the previous seven tax years, calculate the tax due, and settle all tax, interest, and penalties. The short timeframe, coupled with uncertainty over the total liability, caused significant stress for the client.
The Solution
We worked closely with the client to prepare a full and accurate disclosure under HMRC’s Let Property Campaign. This involved reviewing the rental income and allowable expenses for each tax year since 2017 and calculating the tax due, including statutory interest.
As HMRC penalties operate on a tiered system, we prepared representations to support a reduction in penalties, successfully appealing to lower them based on the circumstances of the disclosure. This significantly reduced the overall amount payable within the 90‑day deadline.
Alongside the disclosure, we also submitted the client’s current Self Assessment tax return and put processes in place to ensure her rental income would be correctly reported going forward.
The Value
By acting quickly and strategically, we helped the client meet HMRC’s deadline while minimising penalties and interest, reducing the total amount payable. The disclosure was completed accurately and efficiently, avoiding further HMRC scrutiny or potential escalation.
The client now has peace of mind knowing their tax affairs are fully up to date, with ongoing support in place to manage their rental accounts and future tax returns correctly.
FAQs
Do not ignore it, but do not rush to respond without advice. A specialist adviser can help check the scope of the request and prepare an appropriate response.
Yes. Stratos can liaise directly with HMRC, manage correspondence and help ensure your position is properly represented.
A voluntary disclosure is a proactive approach to telling HMRC about previously unreported income, gains or errors so the position can be corrected.
Potentially. Penalties depend on the facts, behaviour, timing and quality of disclosure. Well-prepared representations can help support a lower penalty where appropriate.
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HMRC Enquiries & Voluntary Disclosures
Tax Returns
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