GS Tax Solutions

Assisting both corporate and personal clients secure the most positive outcome from their dealings with HMRC. Our knowledge of how HMRC tax department works, the limit of the tax inspector’s powers, and tax law ensures the best outcomes for our clients. 

Specialties: Negotiation with HMRC, tax risk assessment, enquiry defence

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About Gary ClarksonWho we are

Gary Clarkson

Gary worked for HMRC for more than 20 years as an Inspector of Taxes. He had time dealing with large corporates in the Large Business Office and International Division before becoming a Group Leader in Special Compliance Office dealing with tax avoidance and fraud.

He left HMRC to join PwC as a senior manager, and then moved to Deloitte as a director dealing will all aspects of HMRC interest in their clients. Gary then set up his own consultancy business ensuring his clients obtain the best possible result from their negotiations with HMRC.

Steve Tetley

Steve worked for HMRC for some 30 years. He has extensive experience and knowledge of tax litigation, HMRC’s High Risk Corporate Programme, COP9 and Alternative Dispute Resolution. As a member of a HMRC Penalty Board, Steve was responsible for authorising the more contentious penalties against large businesses. He was also an Authorised Officer for the purposes of authorising third party notices and complex information requests.

Gary Clarkson ServicesServices

  • Tax Avoidance
  • High Net Worth Individuals
  • Enquiry
  • HMRC
  • Problems/letters HMRC
  • Counter avoidance
  • Capital Gains
  • Corporation Tax
  • Income Tax
  • Investigation
  • Fraud

Frequently Asked Questions

I’ve been contacted by HMRC do I have to reply?

Although some letters are formal legal notices and carry statutory time limits most are not and the deadlines indicated by HMRC are their own internal ones. Although engagement usually pays you should not feel bullied into responding in the form or timescale suggested. It’s important that the nature of the letter is identified and then an appropriate response can be provided.

Can they tell my family, customers, bank etc that they have me under enquiry?

Yes but only in certain very specific circumstances. You are owed a duty of confidentiality by HMRC and any breach of this duty should be addressed immediately.

Do I have to accept what they say is due?
Absolutely not. Mistakes are made. Amounts overstated to encourage a response. Facts misunderstood. An appeal is always possible to allow careful consideration. At the very least time to pay can be discussed.
How quickly will they demand payments?

If demands can’t be met it is crucial that discussions are held with HMRC immediately.

Can I pay over a longer period? Time to pay depends on specific circumstances but periods of several years are regularly agreed.

What information do they have on me?

HMRC are able to access many sources of information including dvla, land registry and other public records. In addition they receive reports from money laundering units and interrogate on line systems. They also cross reference information obtained from returns and accounts made to them on an annual basis. When in doubt assume HMRC have the information and act accordingly.

Case Study 1

A client received a letter from HMRC demanding information relating to an ongoing enquiry. The letter detailed 64 pieces of information required by the inspector and ended with the threat of formal action and penalties if the information was not forthcoming within 28 days.

We reviewed the information requested and assessed whether each item could be demanded by the inspector legally. As a result, more than 40 items were found to be outside the powers of HMRC for a variety of reasons and provision denied. In addition, engagement with HMRC secured an extended period for provision of the remaining items.

HMRC can ask you for anything. It is important to understand when you don’t need to answer.

Case Study 2

Client faced a substantial tax demand having ignored correspondence from HMRC over a period of years. As a result, the inspector had raised ever larger demands attempting to force cooperation and the client faced bankruptcy.

Upon being engaged by the client we immediately opened discussions and with HMRC obtaining copies of all outstanding matters and obtaining a suspension of enforcement action whilst matters were reviewed.

The review revealed a number of errors in the enquiries and assessments issued by HMRC which immediately reduced the sum demanded. Further discussions resulted in a still smaller total and agreement for repayment to be made by instalments over several years.

It is entirely understandable that the receipt of an HMRC brown envelope provokes stress and indeed panic. If the stress becomes too great we can deal with the unopened correspondence and take the worry away.

Get in touch cntact Gary Clarkson TaxGet in touch

EMAIL . info@gstaxsolutions.uk

PHONE . 07399 242015

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