Calm, organised support through HMRC enquiries

Who this service is for

This service is for individuals, sole traders, partnerships and companies across Birmingham who have received an HMRC compliance check, enquiry or information request, or who suspect one may be coming and want to be prepared. It also suits accountants and business owners who want a steady, methodical pair of hands to help manage correspondence and keep everything properly documented.

How we can help

An enquiry is often more manageable than it first appears. We help by turning a stressful letter into a clear set of steps: understanding exactly what HMRC has asked, working out what your records show, and responding in a way that is accurate and well evidenced. Our aim is to keep the process calm and organised, so that decisions are made on the facts rather than under pressure. Where the matter needs specialist input beyond general practice, we say so early and help you bring in the right people.

What’s included

• An initial review of the HMRC correspondence to establish what type of check it is and what is being requested
• Identifying deadlines and the specific information HMRC has asked for
• Help gathering and organising the relevant records
• Reconciliation of the filed returns to the underlying records
• Communication with HMRC on your behalf where you have authorised us
• Preparation for, and attendance at, any meetings with HMRC
• Consideration of whether a disclosure is appropriate, and help preparing it
• Review of penalty and behaviour considerations so any charge is looked at on a fair basis
• Support with settlement calculations where a liability is agreed
• Explanation of appeal and statutory review options where you disagree with a decision
• Referral to tax-dispute or legal specialists where the matter calls for it

How it works

1. You send us the HMRC correspondence and we review it together to confirm what is being asked.
2. We map out the deadlines and the information required, and agree who does what.
3. We help you gather your records and reconcile them to the returns already filed.
4. We prepare a clear, evidenced response and, where authorised, correspond with HMRC on your behalf.
5. If a meeting is needed, we help you prepare and attend with you.
6. We work through any penalty, disclosure or settlement considerations and explain your options.
7. Where you disagree with a decision, we explain the appeal and review routes, or refer you to a specialist if the matter warrants it.

What we’ll need from you

• The full HMRC letter or notice, including any reference numbers
• Your accounting records, bank statements and supporting documents for the relevant period
• Copies of the returns under review, if we did not prepare them
• Written authority for us to deal with HMRC where you would like us to
• Prompt answers to our questions, so we can meet HMRC’s deadlines comfortably

Common mistakes to avoid

• Ignoring the letter or missing a deadline in the hope it will resolve itself
• Replying quickly and informally before the records have been checked
• Guessing at figures rather than reconciling to the actual records
• Volunteering more than has been asked, or less, without thinking it through
• Assuming a penalty is automatic, or that it cannot be reduced by cooperation and disclosure
• Trying to handle a complex or high-value dispute without the right specialist support

Serving Birmingham and the Midlands

We support businesses and individuals across Birmingham, Solihull, the Black Country and the wider Midlands through HMRC enquiries and compliance checks. Wherever you are in the region, we can work with your records securely and correspond with HMRC on your behalf once authorised, so distance is rarely an obstacle to steady, well-organised support.