Preparing for an HMRC investigation or audit is likely to put extra pressure on an already stretched tax or finance department.
Bringing in outside expertise in the form of a VAT consultant will allow you to manage the investigation strategically, in a cost-effective way that minimises exposure to risk and stakeholder scrutiny.
VAT investigations may attract attention from auditors, both external and internal, as well as your organisation’s senior finance leaders. By bringing in a VAT adviser to work alongside your finance team, you can be confident that the investigation has been handled professionally and has robust documentation that complies with the most stringent tax governance and risk-management frameworks.
A VAT consultant can give you improved outcomes and will ensure that the investigation process is documented to comply with your organisation's tax governance requirements.
(Accordion For Section Management)
An experienced VAT adviser can take the pressure off a stretched finance department during an HMRC check by clarifying the investigation process and assisting with preparations.
A Trusted Intermediary
Our consultants can act as an intermediary for HMRC by managing communications, supplying requested information to deadline, and presenting a consistent, well-supported position while avoiding unnecessary disclosure. Outsourcing communications with tax authorities will also reduce disruption to your finance team and minimise the administrative burden of an investigation.
Analysing Risk
Your Proactive Consultancy Group adviser can provide independent risk analysis by identifying strengths and weaknesses in your position. We will review HMRC’s report, quantify liabilities and assess any risks related to penalties and interest.
Stakeholder Management
Our analysis can then be used to communicate likely outcomes to senior stakeholders in a way that will streamline decision-making.
Standing Up to Scrutiny
Drawing on the facts you supply, we can apply our knowledge of case law and legislation to help you develop a technically robust response that will stand up to HMRC’s scrutiny.
Negotiating With HMRC
Our consultants can carry out negotiations with HMRC and they have the expertise and experience to get you a better settlement, with fewer penalties and reduced costs.
HMRC's interpretation may occasionally be challenged successfully. A VAT adviser is there for you, ready to question factual inaccuracies, dispute technical interpretations and highlight inconsistencies.
Confirming Your Review
We can confirm whether HMRC has wrongly assessed your business for VAT, or wrongly denied a VAT refund or wrongly imposed a VAT penalty. VAT consultants can also present alternative legal arguments as they apply to your business.
Dispute Services
Where a dispute arises, we can provide an end-to-end service, calling our trusted partners with the necessary legal and accounting skills.
Step 1 – Assessment
When you call on us to provide support during a VAT investigation, the first thing we will do is make an assessment to inform our work. We will take the time to get to know your business and to find out more about HMRC’s VAT investigation.
Step 2 – Validation
Next, we will validate your case. This is to ensure that the work we do will benefit your business and that the outcome will be positive for you.
Step 3 – Engagement
Once we are both confident that we can successfully support your finance department during an HMRC investigation, you engage us at no upfront cost. We will take our fee from the final settlement.
We Will Work Alongside Your Team to Deliver Our Investigation Support Service
Because we work closely with your team, you will be able to see that the investigation and interactions with HMRC are managed effectively and professionally. And our experienced consultants work autonomously so investigations can progress as efficiently as possible. Our service includes:
- Preparation for the investigation
- Communication with HMRC
- Analysis of HMRC’s assessment
- Insight to help you develop a robust response plan and manage exposure to risk
- Guidance in case of any challenge or dispute
While we can provide support and advice about an ongoing HMRC investigation, we can get better commercial outcomes if we come on board early in the assessment process. When we get involved early, we can guide you in shaping your response to the investigation in a way that minimises risk to your organisation.
It is Never Too Early to Call Us in
So the best time to call on The Proactive Consultancy Group is as early as possible, once you realise an audit will consume management time. Ideally, we would like to start working with you as soon as you have been notified that HMRC will be investigating your VAT.
When You Need Specialist Interpretation of HMRC's Enquiries
It is not unusual for us to get a request for service from a finance director who has noticed HMRC is asking questions that just seem more specific than usual. A quick consult with us could help you to better understand what risk HMRC is thinking about, allowing you to make a decision about the right response.
When You Need to Meet HMRC’s Deadlines
We can work with your team to resolve information requests promptly to meet HMRC’s deadlines, and we can help your finance department present a robust consistent position, which will give you an advantage during the investigation.
When You Need to Maintain Day-to-Day Operations
An HMRC investigation is a major distraction from your finance department’s day-to-day work. Drawing on outside expertise is the best way to ensure that normal operations continue without interruption.
Our VAT assessment consultation service is intended for high-value businesses, non-profits and charities who are anticipating an HMRC VAT investigation or who are already under investigation.
We specialise in VAT investigations support services for these sectors:
Healthcare
including private hospitals, dental groups and care homes
Financial Service Providers
including lending and credit firms and investment and wealth management companies
Property and Real Estate
including developers and commercial landlords)
Charities and not-for-profit
Education
Insurance
International business
with a UK presence
VAT Support at the Right Service Level
Whether you need one-off support from a VAT adviser or an ongoing service to cover a shortage of in-house VAT resource, we can help with a full or part-time consultant.
The Proactive Consultancy Group can offer peer-level support to heads of tax to check their approach to an HMRC investigation.