Disputes with HMRC are an unfortunate fact of business life. Sometimes the facts are in question, and in other cases it is the interpretation of tax legislation itself. Tax is not always black and white, and where genuine disagreement exists, we are happy to argue your case in the strongest possible terms.
Butterworths Accountants will fight your corner and ensure that your rights as a taxpayer are respected. We have specialist tax knowledge to assist with a wide range of disputes, including employment status, repairs versus capital expenditure, private use adjustments, capital allowances, IR35, valuations for tax purposes, VAT issues, employee benefits and trading versus investment status.
Our aim is always to maximise your chances of a successful outcome and to minimise the tax, penalties and stress involved.
Tax Enquiries and Investigations
Being selected for a tax enquiry can happen through no fault of your own, as HMRC now carries out random investigations as well as targeted ones. A full investigation can be a stressful and unpleasant experience without expert support.
Butterworths Accountants understand how HMRC works and how enquiries are conducted. We ensure that HMRC follows its own internal guidelines and does not overstep the mark. We will guide you through the entire process, explain what to expect, and support you throughout the enquiry.
Where additional tax is identified, HMRC can seek substantial penalties and interest. We work hard to minimise these penalties and negotiate the best possible outcome on your behalf.
Anti-Investigation Scanning Checks
Although anyone can be selected at random, many enquiries are triggered by issues or inconsistencies in tax returns and accounts.
Every tax return and set of accounts we submit goes through an anti-investigation scanning check to identify potential risk areas before submission. Where necessary, we include appropriate explanations to HMRC to reduce the likelihood of an enquiry. This significantly helps to minimise your chances of being selected for investigation.
Tax Planning
You are legally entitled to arrange your affairs to pay the minimum amount of tax possible.
While completing tax returns and meeting statutory obligations is essential, Butterworths Accountants go further by actively seeking tax planning opportunities for our clients. Within the legal framework, there are many ways to reduce tax liabilities and improve your overall financial position.
We advise on tax planning for personal and business taxes, employee remuneration, VAT, inheritance tax, capital gains, profit extraction, exit strategies, employment status and IR35. Our advice is based on tax legislation and case law, and any risks are clearly explained to you in advance.
Many new clients are surprised by how much can be done to improve their tax position. We always aim to go the extra mile and encourage early planning to maximise the benefits.
Tax Returns and Self Assessment
Who said tax has to be taxing? Butterworths Accountants prepare tax returns for individuals, sole traders, partnerships and limited companies.
The Self Assessment regime is strict, with heavy penalties for late or incorrect returns. We ensure your returns are completed accurately, filed on time and fully supported by proper records.
In addition to preparing your returns, we advise on your tax liabilities, complete all necessary tax computations, deal with HMRC correspondence on your behalf and negotiate with HMRC where required. We also identify suitable tax planning opportunities to help you reduce your future tax bills.
Our aim is to take the worry out of tax compliance and ensure you never pay more tax than you need to.
Personal tax planning
[insert firm name] can help with the complex issue of personal tax, we know it can be difficult to understand, which is why we help every step of the way. We take away the time and stress by creating a tax planning strategy that suits your tax affairs, helping ensure you pay the least amount of tax. Our team will advise when payments are due along with what forms need to be filed and returned to keep you compliant.
Capital gains tax
You may be looking at investments, a second property or another asset and our team can make sure you maximise your exemptions while simplifying the difficult area of capital gains tax.
Self assesment
Our tax services make sure that your tax liability is calculated taking into account all allowed exemptions and deductions. We simplify the process by using accountancy software to accurately complete tax returns and calculate any tax liability that may occur, along with any payments that need to be made.
Corporation tax
Corporation tax reliefs and rates change annually, so we ensure that we can provide all the right guidance and advice when looking at exemptions, allowances and deductions that may be available. We will thoroughly review and prepare corporation tax returns in great detail in order to ensure you are compliant and that you don’t incur any penalties.
Our Core Services
