Case Study 1: COP9 Investigation for Fraud
Our client had been under investigation for 18 months by the time they contacted us. When she first received the notice she asked her day-to-day accountant to handle the investigation.
When she felt this was not resolving the issue quick enough she approached a specialist tax investigation firm paid on an hourly-rate. After spending 5 figures in 12 months, she felt the company was only interested in dragging out the investigation.
Then she approached us.
Using our expertise, we first took time to fully investigate the root of the concerns from HMRC and seek substantial evidence from HMRC as to why they had started the investigation in the first place. Once we had a full understanding of the issues, we were able to mediate between HMRC and our client and forensically show how HMRC’s concerns were unfounded and the actual issue was merely an accidental omission and not fraud of any kind.
We closed the investigation inside 4 months. The client paid a fixed fee and a small amount of tax as a result of their omission.
Case Study 2: COP9 Investigation – Medical Issues
Our client approached us when he received the original COP9 letter and was totally distraught. Some unrelated medical issues exacerbated his ability to deal with and engage with the investigation. On appointment, we put in place a number of special measures to minimise the effects on his medical issues.
Using our forensic approach, we were able to investigate the basis of the investigation and show that the client had relied on professional advice throughout.
The investigation was closed with ‘just’ the tax underpaid paid and no penalties. We even passed our working papers to a Barrister to act for our client and seek redress from the previous accountant.
Case Study 3: Fees paid by HMRC
In a very unusual case, our client approached us after being under investigation for 5 years. They had first tried to solve the issue themselves for 13 months.
Then they had approached a general practitioner accountant who spent 18 months but did not get to the bottom of the issues.
The accountant recommended a specialist investigation firm. The investigation firm tried and then passed it to a specialist solicitor.
At their wits end, the client approached us and we obtained everyone’s working papers to provide a second opinion.
It was clear to us that early work had steered the investigation in completely the wrong direction.
We were able to show how HMRC had made fundamental errors and had they not done so, the investigation would have been over either with the work the client had done or ‘just’ the accountant. HMRC closed the investigation, paid 100% of our fees and 25% of the other professional’s fees.
Livechat – Click the blue 'chat' logo at the bottom right.
Phone – 0121 661 4656
Email – team@taxspute.co.uk