Following HMRC’s disclosure that one in ten small businesses is under investigation in an attempt to get back the tax is failed to collect in 2015-2016, ICAEW has issued some advice to businesses who may be under scrutiny. With one in ten small companies expected to be reviewed, there are practical steps that can be made.
Advice includes:
- Keep invoices for sales and purchases; receipts for business expenses and bank records. Good records will also save you time and help you run your business more efficiently.
- HMRC will carry out a compliance check on a self-assessment, corporation tax return or VAT return if they think that something is incorrect. For example, when figures appear incorrect, a business makes a large claim for VAT or one with a large turnover declares a small amount of tax.
- Most cases are settled by reaching an agreement with HMRC or businesses can have ask for a review or appeal against most of HMRC’s decisions.
- If HMRC decides to look at your business records they will usually contact businesses by telephone. The call should take between 10-15 minutes and HMRC will ask questions to make sure companies meeting their legal responsibilities.
- From the replies, HMRC will assess whether a business can submit an accurate tax return from its records; if further action will be taken; if a business needs some additional help and support and whether the case needs a face to face visit.
- HMRC will contact you to agree a date and time if they think a business requires a face to face visit. The visit will take around two hours.
- Depending on the outcome of a compliance check or business records check a business may have to pay additional tax as well as facing penalties.
Clive Lewis, ICAEW Head of Enterprise, said: “Legally businesses have to keep records for income, VAT and employees. If HMRC announces that they are looking more closely at a company it can be both daunting and frightening for the business owner. If you are worried please contact an ICAEW Chartered Accountant for a free consultation using the Business Advice Service.”
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