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HMRC problems and voluntary disclosures, sorted in confidence
Undeclared income, a letter from HMRC, a compliance check or years of missing returns. Voluntary disclosures are a specialist area of mine. I'll tell you straight what you're facing, what it's likely to cost, and deal with HMRC so you don't have to.
Sound familiar?
The problems I help with
Most people who call me have been worrying about it for months. The first conversation is free, and nothing goes to HMRC until you've decided what to do.
"I've had a letter from HMRC"
Nudge letters about income HMRC thinks you haven't declared usually come with a deadline. Don't ignore them, and don't sign anything until your position has been checked.
"HMRC have opened a check"
I handle the correspondence, gather the records and keep the check to what HMRC is entitled to ask for.
"I haven't declared some income"
Side work, cash jobs, online selling, rental income or income from abroad, put right before HMRC finds it.
"I'm years behind"
Missing self assessment, VAT and company returns filed, with penalties appealed where you had a reasonable excuse.
"My VAT returns were wrong"
Errors corrected on your next return where the rules allow, or reported to HMRC separately where they don't.
"I've been hit with penalties"
HMRC's figures checked, and appeals made where the penalty is wrong or you had a reasonable excuse.
"I can't pay what I owe"
A realistic budget set out and a Time to Pay arrangement negotiated, so you pay in instalments.
"My company has underpaid"
Corporation tax corrected, director's loan problems sorted and late company filings brought up to date.
Why tell HMRC first
Coming forward first means lower penalties
HMRC charges penalties as a percentage of the extra tax. How much depends on two things: why the tax was missed, and whether you told HMRC before they came to you.
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Telling HMRC first, and helping them fully, puts you at the bottom of the range. Wait until HMRC finds it, and the lowest possible penalty goes up.
If you took reasonable care and still made a mistake, there's normally no penalty at all. Interest is charged on late tax either way.
| Why it was missed | You told HMRC first | HMRC found it |
|---|---|---|
| Careless | 0% to 30% | 15% to 30% |
| Deliberate | 20% to 70% | 35% to 70% |
| Deliberate and concealed | 30% to 100% | 50% to 100% |
Offshore income and gains can carry higher penalties, up to 200%. How far back HMRC can go: 4 years if you took reasonable care, 6 years if you were careless, and up to 20 years if it was deliberate.
How a disclosure works
From first call to case closed
Free confidential call
Tell me what's happened. I'll explain your options and the likely cost, and nothing goes to HMRC until you've decided.
Work out the numbers
I rebuild the figures for each year from your bank statements and records, then work out the tax, interest and likely penalty.
Notify and disclose
I tell HMRC you're making a disclosure through the right route, then submit the full disclosure and offer within HMRC's 90-day deadline.
Pay and close
I agree payment with HMRC, including a payment plan if you need one, and deal with their questions until the case is closed.
The right route
HMRC has different routes for different problems
Using the wrong one wastes time and can cost you the lower penalty. I'll pick the right route for your case and handle it from start to finish.
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If HMRC opens an investigation under Code of Practice 9, or your case needs the Contractual Disclosure Facility, I'll tell you at the first call and work alongside a specialist tax investigation adviser, so you have the right protection.
Where HMRC suspects fraud
- Digital Disclosure ServiceUndeclared income, gains, corporation tax and National Insurance
- Let Property CampaignUndeclared income from letting residential property
- Worldwide Disclosure FacilityIncome, gains or assets outside the UK
- VAT error correctionOn your next VAT return, or reported separately for larger or deliberate errors
- CIS and payroll errorsEmployer and CIS mistakes put right with HMRC
- Amended returnsSelf assessment and company tax returns still within the time to amend
Fees
What it costs
Every case is different, so you get a fixed quote after a free, confidential review. No VAT added. See all fees
| Voluntary disclosure | Self assessment, VAT or corporation tax. What's owed calculated, disclosure prepared and HMRC dealt with for you. | From £150fixed price after a confidential review |
| HMRC letters and checks | Nudge letter replies, compliance checks and penalty appeals. | Fixed quoteafter a review |
| Catch-up and late returns | Missing returns filed and penalties dealt with. | Fixed quoteafter a review |
| Time to Pay | Payment plan proposal prepared and negotiated with HMRC. | Fixed quoteafter a review |
Questions
HMRC questions
I think I owe HMRC tax I haven't declared. What should I do?
Get advice before HMRC contacts you. A disclosure you make before HMRC starts asking questions is treated more favourably, and the penalty range is lower. I'll work out what's owed and make the disclosure for you.
I've had a nudge letter. Do I have to reply?
Yes. Nudge letters mean HMRC has information suggesting you may have undeclared income, and ignoring one often leads to a formal check. Some ask you to confirm your tax affairs are correct. Don't sign that until your position has been checked.
How far back will HMRC go?
Usually 4 years if you took reasonable care, 6 years if you were careless, and up to 20 years if it was deliberate. Offshore income has its own rules. I'll work out which applies to you.
Will I be prosecuted?
HMRC deals with the great majority of cases through tax, interest and penalties rather than prosecution. Coming forward first and giving full, accurate information puts you in the strongest position. If anything about your case suggests a higher risk, I'll tell you at the first call.
Can I pay in instalments?
Often, yes. HMRC can agree a Time to Pay arrangement if you can't pay in one go. I'll put together a proposal based on what you can realistically afford and agree it with HMRC.
I'm behind on my returns. Can you help?
Yes. I'll look at what records you have, give you a fixed price to catch up and deal with HMRC for you. The sooner it's sorted, the smaller the penalties and interest.
Next step
Talk to me in confidence
The first conversation is free. I'll explain your options before anything goes to HMRC.
Same-day call back. Weekday evenings until 10pm, weekends until 8pm. No call centre.
Get a fixed quote Message on WhatsAppvincent@tpacc.uk