What you say in the first response shapes everything that follows. We take over the correspondence, deal with HMRC directly, and work to close the case with the smallest exposure available to you.
HMRC deadlines usually run from the date on the letter, not the date you opened it. Missing one narrows your options and can increase penalties. Send it to us and we'll tell you where you stand.
If you're not sure which of these applies to you, that's normal — the letter often doesn't say plainly.
A routine enquiry into a return, a VAT position, or a specific figure. Handled properly and early, most close without escalating.
Serious enquiries where HMRC believes significant tax has been lost, but is not alleging fraud. The scope can widen quickly if it isn't managed.
Cases where HMRC suspects deliberate conduct. The window to respond is short and the decision matters — take advice before you accept or reject the offer.
Coming forward before HMRC comes to you: let property, offshore income, undeclared trading, or historic errors. Disclosure made first almost always costs less.
Challenging a determination you believe is wrong, and arguing behaviour and penalty loading where the figures aren't in dispute but the label is.
Where the liability is settled but the cash isn't there, negotiating time to pay on terms the business can actually survive.
The aim is to take the correspondence off your desk and give you a clear view of the likely outcome as early as possible.
Email a scan or a photo. We'll read it and come back to you, usually the same working day, with what it actually means.
A call to go through the background, the exposure as we see it, and the realistic range of outcomes. No obligation and nothing chargeable at this stage.
If you want us to act, we agree scope and fee in writing first, and file authority so HMRC deals with us instead of you.
We prepare the analysis, answer the questions, and push back where HMRC has overreached — arguing the figures, the behaviour and the penalty position.
We agree the closing position, sort out payment terms if needed, and fix whatever caused it so it doesn't happen twice.
Tell us roughly what's happened. There's no charge for the initial review.
No adviser can promise a particular result with HMRC, and you should be wary of anyone who does. What we can do is make sure the case is argued properly and that you understand your position at every stage.