Content
Leading article...
We can't go on like this...
General tax...
The name is Bond
Blessed are the givers
Excuses, excuses
PAYE the penalty
Silver and gold
Moving goalposts
Doctor, doctor...
Something phishy
Pension problems
Tax dot com
Unpleasant discoveries
Fair's fair (at last)
Chartered taxpayers
This year, next year
VAT...
Focus your mind
Flat rates aren't flat
Reverse the charges
Flapjack flash
Ready set ECSL
A lofty idea
Law items...
I want my lawyer
Not on my holiday
A grey area
No difference
| When HMRC want information, they usually start just by asking. If that doesn't work, they send a Notice (with a capital N) demanding it. If the taxpayer doesn't comply, they can charge stiff penalties. These can be cancelled if the trader has a "reasonable excuse" for not answering. In two recent cases, companies pleaded that they had relied on their accountant to respond - it was the same accountant, and he was overwhelmed with 50 enquiry cases on the go at once. One of the companies won their appeal: the information was complicated and it was reasonable to rely on the accountant, even if he was snowed under. The other company could have provided the answers itself, because the questions were straightforward. The penalty was confirmed. The main thing is, if you get a request from HMRC - especially if it's a formal Notice - you need to deal with it promptly. We will help - not all advisers are submerged under that many enquiry cases! |
© Bayar Hughes & Co., 2010.