Tax Fee Protection

Protection from the cost of an HMRC Tax investigation
Underwritten by Vantage Fee Protect

Why you need protection from HMRC

Our Fee Protection Service has been especially created to deal with HMRC’s powers and to protect you against the unexpected costs of an investigation. If we become involved from the start of any investigation, you are far more likely to escape paying extra tax or penalties.

Each year HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) undertake an enormous number of tax enquiries into individuals and businesses to check they have paid the right amount of tax. Since 2010 HMRC have strengthened their approach to enquiry work by using wider powers and sophisticated software and consequently secured a record £34.1 billion of additional tax revenue in 2018/19, up a staggering £3.8 billion on the previous year.

Brian Jukes – Dafferns Tax Partner

Increased attention from HMRC

HMRC activity has increased significantly in recent months, with the number of new enquiries opened now exceeding pre-pandemic levels.

Tax enquiries can last for months, even years and defending you against HMRC’s detailed questions requires specific expertise and can be time consuming and costly. Indeed, the cost of dealing with an enquiry can amount to thousands of pounds, even if no extra tax is payable.

Dafferns still do the work, so you will continue to deal with us, the accountants who know you and therefore be able to work on your case for as long as it takes to resolve the situation, up to our insurance policy limit.

Karen Keeling – Dafferns Tax Partner

Tax Fee Protection Insurance – what’s covered and how it works

Protection from the cost of an HMRC Tax investigation

We advise all our clients to join, or renew membership of the Dafferns Tax Fee protection scheme

Cover for businesses, individuals, companies and their directors

Full HMRC tax enquiries
Aspect enquiries from HMRC – where they enquire about specific items in your tax return or accounts
IR35 status disputes
Paye / Nic enquiries / Employer compliance visits
VAT inspections

Business Support Helpline, staffed by qualified, experienced specialists on the following topics:

Employment
Health & safety
Commercial legal issues

The Dafferns Tax Fee Protection scheme is underwritten by Vantage Fee Protect. The scheme year renews on 1 October and is open for all Dafferns clients. Like all insurance however, if you don’t join and pay your premium, you won’t be covered.

Full terms and conditions of Dafferns Fee Protection Insurance

What could an investigation involve?

HMRC so far has been targeting the SME sector, medical professionals such as dentists and doctors and ‘hidden wealth’, where individuals are apparently living beyond their declared means.

HMRC may have information about an offshore bank account, an expensive asset like a luxury car or even images from Google Earth showing a large extension. Reviewing records up to six years old is not uncommon and cost thousands to defend.

Where our fee protection comes in

If the HMRC states its intention to investigate your tax payments you don’t need to panic. Then just call or email us – your dedicated accountant and best defence against an enquiry.

We will translate the many complicated questions the taxman may pose, manage the entire conversation with the taxman, help you submit any required information and minimise the impact on your business or personal accounts.