Member Article

Seek advice on HMRC "nudge" letters

Leading tax disputes and investigations specialist ntrusted is urging entrepreneurs and businesses not to buckle to pressure from HMRC by responding to intimidating ‘nudge’ letters.

ntrusted, which works with businesses and high-net-worth individuals to resolve ongoing tax disputes, says that HMRC is increasingly writing directly to taxpayers to try to persuade them to drop their appeals.

Gary Rowson, director, ntrusted said: “HMRC’s nudge letters are increasingly being used to try to directly influence taxpayer behaviour. However, they deliberately don’t tell taxpayers the whole story and often threaten financial penalties if HMRC wins its case. This is a scare tactic! Penalties can only be levied if a taxpayer has got something wrong or failed to do something that they should have done. Penalties cannot be charged in every case.”

ntrusted is keen to reassure businesses and individuals and remind them that specialist advice is essential when dealing with HMRC.

Gary warns: “HMRC wants as many people as possible to believe that the taxman is always right. That is not the case. At ntrusted, we know how HMRC thinks, how HMRC works and, most importantly, what HMRC is trying to achieve. We work with HMRC to try to resolve matters whilst ensuring that our clients are protected throughout.”

Gary concludes: “Many letters are being sent to individuals or businesses who entered into legal tax planning arrangements, but whose advisers are no longer around. Clients then think that’s it’s not worth fighting on. I would encourage anybody who receives a ‘nudge’ letter from HMRC to seek expert advice. A second opinion from ntrusted can help change the direction of the HMRC enquiry”.

For further information about ntrusted and the services it offers, please visit www.ntrusted.co.uk or call 0800 652 6156.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Daniel Lindley .