HMRC Tax Investigation

HMRC investigations are complex, time-consuming and stressful, and what you say in the first weeks often shapes the outcome. If you've received an enquiry notice, early expert representation protects your position, keeps the scope contained and minimises tax, interest and penalties.

HMRC Tax Investigation Representation

Acumon provides comprehensive representation throughout the investigation process. Our tax specialists include people with prior HMRC experience, giving you insight into HMRC's investigation procedures, negotiation strategies and settlement approaches — and a realistic view of what HMRC will and won't accept.

Types of HMRC Investigations

Full enquiries: comprehensive investigations into tax returns, often extending across multiple years.

Aspect enquiries: focused investigations into specific entries or claims on a return.

Random enquiries: routine checks that still need prompt, accurate handling to stay routine.

Code of Practice 9 (COP9): investigations into suspected serious tax fraud, where specialist handling is essential.

Contractual Disclosure Facility (CDF): the route to disclose deliberate irregularities with protection from criminal prosecution for the disclosed conduct.

VAT investigations: including input tax claims and partial exemption calculations.

PAYE and employment taxes: employment status, benefits and payroll compliance.

Corporation tax enquiries: including transfer pricing, R&D claims and capital allowances.

What Triggers an Investigation?

Some enquiries are random, but most are prompted: HMRC's data-matching systems compare returns against information from banks, employers, the Land Registry, online platforms and overseas tax authorities. Unusual fluctuations, late filings, sector campaigns and third-party reports all raise the risk. Understanding why HMRC opened the enquiry is the first step in closing it — and it shapes our whole strategy.

Our Investigation Support Services

We start with an initial assessment of HMRC's position and your exposure, then review the documentation before anything is sent. From there we handle all HMRC liaison — information requests, correspondence and meetings — so you never face an inspector alone. Where matters are disputed we pursue resolution through negotiation, statutory review, alternative dispute resolution or appeal, and we negotiate penalties hard: behaviour, disclosure quality and cooperation all drive the final figure, and presenting them well is where experience pays.

Voluntary Disclosures and COP9

If there is something to correct, coming forward on the right terms dramatically improves the outcome. We prepare voluntary disclosures, manage COP9 and Contractual Disclosure Facility cases, minimise penalties, arrange payment plans with HMRC and structure disclosures to avoid escalation — including strategies to keep matters civil rather than criminal.

Why Choose Acumon

HMRC experience on your side of the table, comprehensive representation from first letter to final settlement, a strategic approach that contains scope and cost, and integrated tax, accounts and audit expertise to answer technical challenges quickly. Most importantly: you get straight answers about your position and options at every stage.

What You Get With Acumon

• Initial assessment and documentation review before HMRC sees anything
• All HMRC liaison, information requests and meetings handled for you
• Dispute resolution: negotiation, statutory review, ADR and appeals
• Penalty negotiation and minimisation
• Voluntary disclosure, CDF and COP9 representation
• Payment plan negotiation where liabilities arise

Why Acumon for HMRC Tax Investigation?

• Tax specialists with prior HMRC experience
• Handles full, aspect and random enquiries plus VAT, PAYE and corporation tax investigations
• Code of Practice 9 (COP9) representation for suspected serious tax fraud
• Contractual Disclosure Facility (CDF) support for disclosing irregularities with reduced penalties

Get a Fixed-Fee Quote

Tell us what you need and we'll come back within one business day with a clear scope and a fixed price — no hourly-rate surprises. Call 020 8567 3451 or use the form and we'll be in touch.