What are Tax Investigations?

The Inland Revenue have indicated that investigations can and will be launched where it is thought that there is a risk of tax being lost. This type of enquiry can be launched where one or more of the following factors are present:

	Cash businesses.
	Failure to comply with tax law, e.g. late submission of Returns, late payment of taxes.
	Unexplained capital accumulations.
	Insufficient income to meet outgoings.
	Third party information.
	Information from other tax gathering departments, e.g. the VAT office, PAYE Audit or Compliance visit.

You should be aware that the Inland Revenue passes information to the VAT office and thus you could also be involved in a VAT investigation as a direct result of any Revenue enquiry.

In view of the Revenue’s powers and multiple sources of information at it’s disposal, dealing with an investigation can be a very time consuming and costly affair. It also requires a higher level of expertise by professional consultants. ags has a dedicated and experienced investigation team at your disposal.

We can provide either an advisory service or we can conduct an investigation on your behalf and you can be assured that we will always serve your best interests.

If you or perhaps one of your clients would like to use our expertise in this somewhat complex and distressing area of taxation, please contact the Tax Department.

VAT Investigations

The VAT authorities have at their disposal far reaching powers to assist them in undertaking investigation work, i.e. evasion and fraud, and these powers include forced entry of business premises and can involve arrest.

The types of cases which the VAT authorities investigate are evasion, the consequences of which can be the imposition of severe penalties and interest as well as the recovery of underpaid VAT and fraud, which as well as monetary penalties, can lead to criminal prosecution.

ags can offer an advisory service in the event that you are under investigation or we can take over the investigation and deal directly with the VAT office to bring the matter to a conclusion assuring you that your best interests are at the heart of our service.

It should be noted that the VAT office passes information to the Inland Revenue and therefore you could also be involved in an Inland Revenue investigation.

If at present you complete your VAT returns in house then you may want to consider our VAT compliance services.

Should you require further information, please contact us on 01384 217222.

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