I'm currently involved in a clients tax inspection which feels like it's been going on forever. We had a meeting with the HMRC officers a couple of weeks ago, which solved very little.
They wrote to me today regarding the current situation and want a response to a couple of questions. But they forgot to send the minutes of the meeting. They had a note taker present at the meeting, so I know that minutes were taken.
Can I just wait until they try to use the minutes as their defence to something, and then carefully explain that as I haven't seen or countersigned the minutes due to their incompetence, that they can't be used?
Replies (11)
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Surely the only professional response is to write back pointing out the omission and requesting the missing minutes. Anything else would seem disingenuous.
And, does being awkward ever solve anything?
Surely the only professional response is to write back pointing out the omission and requesting the missing minutes. Anything else would seem disingenuous.
I take and have major issues with HMRC.I make them clear as and when I need to. They are frustrating beyond belief However, when representing client's, which is what we do, we should demonstrate high levels of professionalism - in my humble opinion.
Did you take notes?
I would never rely on their notes anyway - I would send the answers with my minutes and wait for them to react - even better if the notes contained the answers anyway
@OP: tactics
If you did that, there would then just be a dispute about whose record of the meeting was accurate.
It's probably best to get their minutes and then lodge your corrections now.
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I would call the inspector in a friendly way and say "got your letter, will do, can you just send the minutes out"
If they don't do so, I would then formally document the phone call in a letter to them.
You managed to embarass a tax inspector before.....
probably due to your professionalism and preparation and, in turn, he showed a lack of preparation and, therefore professionalism. In the past I have done exactly the same although, I took no enjoyment from it. Indeed I had some sympathy with the Inspector.
The reason; he'd already decided that there was something wrong with the records and was out to make my client appear that he'd undisclosed an element of sales. Due to my preparation and, knowledge of the client's affairs, I was able to overturn each and every accusation made, within the cash book and, HM Inspector of Taxes (as they were then) had no evidence to proceed.
The moral of this anecdote? Why waste time on being awkward?
I used to have a client on the second-hand car Scheme.
Vat inspector came out at 3pm on a sunny Friday, sat down & said “I think this will be a relatively quick inspection - I don’t really know how the second-hand car scheme works, can you walk me through it please”.
Inspector out of the office by 4.15, 100% clearance.
I agree with the last post.
Having dealt with HMRC for many years, I have never thought my being awkward could ever be an advantage - especially if the matter were to proceed to a Tribunal Hearing.
HMRC Minutes
I would always check their minutes very carefully as I have had examples where they have added items that were not discussed and errors on what had been discussed and sent them out unseen and unsigned by me to the Case Reviewer (that's how I saw them).
NEVER EVER TRUST THEM!
The are not the HMRC that was a gentlemanly and honest organisation but now there are those who just chase bonuses in any way they can , bully , lie and cheat.
Sorry but one bad apple etc does indeed spoil the whole barrel.