Should I go to a meeting with HMRC?

If HMRC opens an enquiry into your tax or VAT affairs they will almost always ask you to attend an interview.

Our advice? Don’t go!

We believe that attending a HMRC interview whilst under investigation is not in your best interests. We advise against attending, especially on your own.

HMRC Interview and meeting There is no law stating that a taxpayer must attend except in two particular types of enquiry:

1. In a COP 9 investigation, it is necessary to attend a formal HMRC interview, but it is essential in our view to only answer the 9 questions put to you and nothing more.

2. Under Section 144 enquiry you are required to attend an interview, but it is absolutely vital you have legal representation, as it is conducted under the Police and Criminal Evidence Act (PACE) 1984.

Apart from the above types of investigation, you have no legal obligation to attend an interview at their offices or to allow them to come and visit you.

HMRC Interviews During An Enquiry

If HMRC sends you a letter stating they are opening a tax enquiry into your affairs, they almost always invite you to attend an interview.

At KinsellaTax we do not believe that attending HMRC interviews are in the taxpayer’s interest, therefore we would advise against attending one on your own.

There is no legislation stating that a taxpayer must attend an interview with HMRC except in certain types of cases.

Very few accountants and solicitors are strong enough to tell The Inland Revenue that their clients will not attend an interview.

At KinsellaTax all cases will be dealt with through correspondence via our offices.

There is no legislation stating that you must attend an interview at an HMRC office or you that you must allow HMRC to come and visit you.

If you are under investigation by HMRC you should always deal with that tax enquiry through a representative, like KinsellaTax.

Call KinsellaTax TODAY on 0800 471 4546 to deal with HMRC on your behalf.

Let us handle your HMRC Interview

Very few accountants are strong enough to tell HMRC that their clients will not attend an interview. In the majority of cases, it is because they do not know that attending a HMRC interview or meeting is not a legal requirement.

We will always keep you up to date on how your enquiry is progressing but once we have control, HMRC will have no more direct contact with you.

The moment you receive a letter from HMRC informing you of their intention to open an investigation is the moment to pick up the phone.

Call our specialists on 0800 471 4546.