As a sole practiotioner I get involved in various tax investigations - but am of course sometimes limited by not having expert advice on hand. I am looking for some support and assistance regarding an ongoing client investigation where I now need to advise the client of the next step in defending himself
Can anyone recommend someone who would be able to step in and provide the support to my business on a subcontract basis
I am Thames Valley based
Many Thanks
Steve B
Replies (10)
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Thanks for your comments.
I have unfortunately been laid up with the flu for the better part of a week but will hopefuly talk to one of you this afternoon for some advice.
Fees
I think you will need to shop around an get a few fee quotes. I know of one person who is under investigation where the tax at stake is £70-£80K plus penalties and the accountants (in Central London)have charged him at least £14k (£200 +VAT per hour). Elsewhere in London £60 to £100 per hour. In Thames Valley from £40/50 per hour upwards
Costs...
....are probably the decisive factor here. If you require constant and readily available backup support then I see no reason why you cannot secure that immediately? It is not difficult and it is only complicated if you wish to make it complicated!
Although I am based on the sleepy Wirral, I can refer a London based experienced tax enquiry consultant to you immediately on a "need to use" basis if that is the arrangment you are looking for?
....so costs remain the only issue here and the fact that you have not re posted any comments yet suggests that you may be unsure as to what you want to do. My telephone number has not changed from yesterday!
Office - 0151 326 2233 (Freephone 0800 988 0585)
Sub Contracting
Regarding Clive's comments the problem is that you require a sub contractor so its difficult to recommend someone else who will do such work on a sub contractor basis. There are specialists that can help you but because their fee rates are high per hour they seldom work on a sub contract basis.
Abbreviated Outline
Steve
What we "posters" have done here of course is NOT recommend someone, other than ourselves. I guess we've simply treated your posting as an advert and looked at it as an opportunity! My apologies. As they always said in school and college, "read the question carefully".
Help is at Hand
Steve
I have been a member of the Chartered Institute of Tax since 1980 and do have a lot of experience of investigations. I am currently dealing with a couple of such cases including wilful neglect where the HMRC are going back more than 6 years.
I work and live in both Newbury & London so I am always travelling along the Thames Valley
To contact me my email address is as follows:
Support on HMRC Enquiries
By way of introduction I am employed by the Mercury Tax Group joining the Group last October following 38 Years working in HMRC the last 20 of which involved and actually working all aspects of Revenue Enquiries. In recent years I also delivered training to staff on approaches to enquiries. I am therefore well experienced in Revenue Enquiries and have the added advantage of being fully aware of their approach.
Prior to joining the Mercury Tax Group I provided a consultancy service to Accountants and also had experience of Code of Practice 8 & 9 enquiries as well as more local ones.
For Mercury I provide a similar service. As a company we do not provide the normal Compliance support expected from Accountancy firms. We are a specialist Group and the department I am attached to provides the particular skills that you are seeking on the terms of engagement you are proposing. Our website found at www.mercurytg.com explains more about the Company and provides an insight into my skills and experience and also those of Andy Wells who leads the Forensic & Investigation Team.You will see from the website that we have offices placed in various locations and travel is never a problem. If you feel that we can help please do not hesitate to telephone on 0870114 2800 or e-mail. I would welcome the opportunity to meet with you and I assure you that no job is to big or small
Offer of advice
Steve
I would be more than happy to talk to you about your current client and the tax enquiry. I have handled many enquiries, on behalf of clients and assisted practitioners such as yourself and was previously an inspector of taxes, so would hopefully be able to offer a balanced view.
My email address is:
kind regards
Manoj
Please Contact Us...
Steve, call me if you wish on 0151 326 2233 or Freephone 0800 988 0585. I am in the North West myself but some of my tax enquiry consultants are quite near to you. One of them will provide whatever level of support you need.
Our hourly fee rates are set at an extremely competitive rate for London. We achieve this by means of our unique business structure. Our consultants benefit from the support of all their colleagues.
e mail - [email protected]
or
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