UK tax law is notoriously complex, and the fact that it is constantly evolving makes understanding your tax liabilities and obligations an almost impossible task. UK tax lawyers like ours specialise in assisting individuals and businesses stay on top of their tax affairs, ensuring they comply with their legal duties, manage any risks, and deal with any issues that arise swiftly and effectively.
At Altion Law, our dedicated HMRC team are experts in UK tax law and practice. Our decades of experience in this niche area give us a unique insight into the inner workings of HMRC, so we can offer advice not only on the technicalities of the law, but also on how HMRC is likely to deal with any given matter.
For a confidential free discussion, call us today on 01908 414990, alternatively email us at Hello@altion-law.co.uk or complete our Free Enquiry Form and we will call you back.
What types of advice do our UK Tax Lawyers offer?
Our UK tax lawyers advise clients on a broad range of issues relating to their tax affairs. Some of our areas of expertise include the following:
- VAT Disputes.
When HMRC disputes your VAT accounting, the onus is usually on you, as the taxpayer, to prove that your position is correct rather than on HMRC to show that it is wrong. Accordingly, it’s essential to have experienced UK tax lawyers by your side when addressing any VAT dispute to assist you in collecting robust evidence that supports your position.
The key to successfully dealing with a VAT dispute is to have a clear strategy in place from the outset. Rather than simply dealing with HMRC’s enquiries and requests as you receive them, you should take proactive steps to collate the relevant documentation and information, so you have it to hand when needed. That way, you can facilitate a smooth process and avoid exacerbating the issue by responding to requests late.
Our UK tax lawyers have vast experience in VAT disputes. We will devise a strategy for dealing with the issue that is bespoke to you, accords with your business reality, and gives you the best chance of successfully defending the issue or achieving a favourable settlement.
- HMRC Criminal Investigations.
HMRC tends to reserve its criminal powers for specific types of cases, such as those involving organised crime, money laundering, or deliberate deception. In most cases involving unpaid tax, HMRC will take the civil route, seeking payment of the unpaid taxes as opposed to criminal sanctions.
However, HMRC has the right to undertake a criminal investigation whenever it sees fit. When it does so, its investigative powers are wide and include dawn raids, seizing evidence, and making arrests. Furthermore, if HMRC gathers enough evidence to warrant the Crown Prosecution Service pursuing a criminal prosecution, the taxpayer faces severe sanctions, including hefty fines and imprisonment. Accordingly, if you believe there is even the slightest risk that HMRC may launch a criminal investigation into your tax affairs, seeking immediate advice from UK tax lawyers is crucial.
- Tax Tribunal Appeals
If you want to challenge certain findings made by HMRC, you should usually appeal to HMRC directly in the first instance. If, after considering your appeal, HMRC confirm its original decision, you have the right to appeal to the first-tier tax tribunal, which is entirely independent of HMRC. Not every HMRC decision can be appealed, and our UK tax lawyers will advise whether the decision with which you are unhappy is subject to appeal.
Strict time limits apply to appeals. If you miss the deadline, you may need to apply to the tribunal for permission to appeal late. This will increase your costs and may necessitate you attending a hearing to explain the reasons for your delay. Accordingly, submitting your appeal on time is vital. Our UK tax lawyers will assist you in preparing the relevant appeal documentation and ensuring it is submitted by the relevant deadline.
The tribunal will set a timetable for your appeal up to the hearing date, which will provide deadlines for completing specific steps, such as providing copies of relevant documents and preparing witness statements. Our UK tax lawyers will do most of this work for you, preparing a robust case that gives your appeal the best chance of success.
Most appeals are settled before the hearing, through negotiation or other alternative dispute resolution methods. Our UK tax lawyers are expert negotiators. By using our detailed understanding of tax law and our insights into HMRC’s policies and procedures, we regularly secure excellent settlements of our clients’ appeals.
Where can I find UK Tax Lawyers?
Our UK tax lawyers work from offices in Milton Keynes but represent clients throughout the Southeast and further afield. We seek to make the process as easy and stress-free for our clients as possible, so we can meet with you either face-to-face or remotely, whichever you prefer.
For a confidential free discussion, call us today on 01908 414990, alternatively email us at Hello@altion-law.co.uk or complete our Free Enquiry Form and we will call you back.
