Tax investigations are one of the main business concerns. That is why you need to call for help from an accountant to keep in touch with the tax office and to solve any problem that may arise. Our team of professionals will submit all the relevant tax statements in such a way as to streamline the process and cover the risks. TAX/VAT services include: filling your VAT, making payments and repayments, providing information about VAT rates and providing information about the tax period, tax point and time of supply. Different types of investigations: Some tax investigations are more serious than others – although you shouldn’t take it lightly if you’re investigated for any reason. Listed below are the types of investigation you may be most likely to face. Full Enquiry: This is one of the most extensive investigations undertaken by HMRC. It includes an examination of your Self Assessment Tax Return, with a comprehensive review of all books and records regarding the assessment in question. Aspect Enquiry: This type of enquiry regards one or more aspect of your Self Assessment Tax Return. Rather than reviewing the full assessment, HMRC clarifies particular entries or the records relating to those entries. Tax Compliance Checks: Compliance checks can concern Income Tax, PAYE or VAT. HMRC investigates your compliance with tax affairs, to make sure you’re paying the full amount of tax. HMRC will notify to which aspect of tax they’re looking in to, which gives you opportunity to appoint a relevant representative to deal with HMRC on your behalf, although this is not a necessity. VAT Disputes: Disputes are slightly more severe than enquiries and checks, as here HMRC are directly challenging the accuracy of your returns. A VAT dispute will feature a disagreement from HMRC about the amount of VAT you owe or the way you have operated your VAT. PAYE/NIC Disputes: Likewise, this is a challenge to the accuracy or completeness of your Pay As You Earn payments. IR35 Disputes: This investigation concerns your IR35 status and whether you should be subject to Intermediary legislation. If you are found to be inside IR35 you will owe the PAYE and NICs you would have paid as a full-time employee. Business Inspection Notice: This it notice of HMRC exercising their right to request entry to inspect your business’ premises and goods as well as assets and documents. Inspection is undertaken with the approval of an authorized officer and may be on short notice or with no prior warning. What to expect during an investigation: HMRC will send you notice of any impending investigations, and will give you the opportunity to use representation for the inspection. During the investigation, HMRC will take away your records and return them with questions. They tend to only investigate one year’s accounts, although this may depend on your situation. If you receive notice of a HMRC investigation, the first thing to do is tell your accountant. They will be able to advise you as well as give you representation throughout the inspection. If your accountant is unable to help, seek professional advice as soon as possible.Don’t get panicked if your business comes under investigation. It’s easy to start worrying and try to convince your accountant that burning all records is the only thing to do. Just stay calm. If you’ve made a mistake in your return then you need to communicate with HMRC. Penalties are sometimes reduced if you comply, so be upfront about all your affairs if you suspect you’re in the wrong.