Case Studies

Discovery

We became involved in the last stage of a CTSA tax investigation. HMRC were claiming over £60,000 of tax, interest and penalties were due and also had clear evidence of an incorrect certificate of full disclosure being signed. HMRC were adamant that this was the minimum amount due and stated that they were willing to raise tax assessments as well as interest and penalty determinations. We successfully demonstrated that HMRC should have discovered some of these matters in a previous tax enquiry and were successful in arguing that HMRC could not reopen some earlier years (as well as reducing the amounts due for years where assessments could be raised). The eventual figure which was agreed as payable was just over £14,000 including interest and penalties.

Employment Status

We were contacted by a Scaffolding Contractor after HMRC had issued assessment claiming tax and NIC’s totalling over £70,000 excluding interest and penalties in relation to two subcontractors the Inland Revenue had ruled to be employees. We reviewed all of the facts and interviewed the Subcontractors and the Directors of the Company (something the HMRC had not done). Despite the late stage at which we became involved we were successful in demonstrating that the individuals were genuinely self employed reducing the demand to nil.

Disclosure

We were approached by an individual who had been working for himself for over 10 years and who had never declared his income to HMRC. We were successful in bringing the whole matter to a conclusion within 6 months with a tax bill significantly less then the client was expecting. In addition as the tax evasion had been disclosed voluntarily to HMCR the level of penalty charges was the lowest possible in the circumstances saving our client a significant sum in penalty reduction.

Long Running Dispute

After a 4 year Inland Revenue investigation where no progress had been made HMRC had concerns that a Tax Fraud had occurred with sales of approximately £30,000 omitted from one year of a businesses accounts, HMRC were looking for adjustments for this year and previous years. We were appointed to bring this enquiry to a solution and 3 months after been appointed we brought the enquiry to a close with agreed corportation tax of nil.

Tax Debt

An individual approached us who owed HMRC over £9000 and who had already failed to keep to a time to pay arrangement with HMRC. We identified further expenditure which had not been claimed and reduced the debt by £3,400. HMRC were in the process of taking County Court action and we pursuaded them to agree an installment arrangement with the client. Payments were spread over a 2 year period.

Code of Practice 9 (Now Civil Investigation of Fraud)

We were approached by a client who had been running two sets of books and where money and investments had been made overseas. HMRC believed that the tax at stake was in the region on £500,000 excluding interest and penalties. We approached Special Civil Investigations and persuaded them to operate the case under Code of Practice 9. We completed the report in the agreed timescale and reduced the overall settlement including interest and penalties to £325,000.

Testimonials

Here are some of the things our clients have said about us

"We are so happy that Gilbert Tax are on our team." - Nick, Bolton

"We would recommend your services to any of our clients who need tax investigation advice." Paul, Newcastle

"I would also like to thank you as I would not have achieved such a good outcome without your assistance." Bill, West Midlands.

"Gilbert Tax helped conclude the tax enquiry in an efficient and successful manner." - Rob, Liverpool

"HMRC behaved completely differently when you attended the meeting." Richard, Wakefield

"I would like to thank you and Kim for all the help you have given us through what could have been a very stressful period." James, Bradford

"Thank you for sorting out our subcontractor position. If we had to treat the subcontractors as employees the PAYE and NIC due would have bankrupt the business" Martin, Castleford

The fact is that we have had expressions of thanks from 100% of our clients.

VAT Case Studies

Sole proprietor operating an equestrian centre - compulsory VAT registered with a £90,000.00 VAT bill plus 15% penalty. Registration cancelled no VAT liability or penalty.

Large Double glazing business - undisclosed turnover, HMR&C arrested the directors and claimed £1.5 million plus penalties. Matter resolved and client paid £60,000.00.

Large civil engineering and construction business - did not reduce VAT recovery in relation to exempt turnover, HMR&C claimed £850,000.00 plus penalties. Special method devised, liability £7,000.00 and no penalty.

Takeaway food business - VAT of £70,000.00 claimed by HMR&C on undisclosed takings based upon test purchases and invigilation. Sampling and invigilation shown to be unreliable, liability reduced to £9,000.00.

VAT Testimonials

"The great thing about Andy is his practical and common sense approach" - Simon (Finance Director, Hull).

"Andy has acted for us for almost 10 years, through some difficult times, when he first said - I'll sort it - I had my doubts, but no longer" - John (Managing Director, Bradford).

"I didn't know what to do, the VAT Officer just wouldn't listen, someone recommended Andy, he just took over and the issues were resolved in a matter of weeks" - Neil (Sole Proprietor, Dewsbury).

"He becomes part of the team, totally committed to the project and his client" - Eric (Accountant, Leeds).