What should I do if HMRC opens a tax investigation?

If HMRC opens an investigation into your tax affairs, it’s important to seek legal advice as soon as possible. Don’t ignore correspondence or try to handle it alone. Early intervention from an experienced tax lawyer can make a significant difference to the outcome. At Setfords, we guide clients through every stage of HMRC investigations, from the initial enquiry letter through to resolution, protecting your interests throughout.

What is the difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion?

Tax avoidance means using legal methods to reduce the amount of tax you owe, such as claiming allowances or structuring your affairs efficiently. Tax evasion, on the other hand, is illegally concealing income or providing false information to HMRC to reduce your tax bill. While avoidance is lawful, some arrangements may still be challenged by HMRC. It’s always wise to get professional advice to make sure your approach is robust.

Do I need a tax lawyer or an accountant?

Accountants are well-suited to preparing returns and managing day-to-day tax compliance. However, if you’re facing an HMRC investigation, a tax dispute, or need advice on complex structuring, a specialist tax lawyer can offer legal advice and strategic guidance that accountants typically cannot. In many cases, your accountant and tax lawyer will work together to give you the best possible support.

How can I reduce my Inheritance Tax liability?

There are several lawful ways to reduce your Inheritance Tax exposure, including making use of exemptions and reliefs, setting up trusts, making lifetime gifts, and structuring your estate efficiently. The right approach depends on your individual circumstances, so it’s important to take advice early. Our personal tax lawyers can help you plan ahead and make sure your family is protected.

What penalties can HMRC impose for non-compliance with tax laws?

HMRC can impose a range of penalties for tax non-compliance, from financial fines to criminal prosecution in serious cases. Penalties vary depending on the nature of the error and how cooperative you are in putting it right. If you’re concerned about a potential compliance issue, getting legal advice early can help you manage the situation and potentially reduce any penalties.

What should I do if HMRC contacts me about a tax investigation?

If you receive any communication from HMRC suggesting an investigation into your tax affairs, you should seek specialist legal advice before responding. What you say (and don’t say) in the early stages can significantly affect the outcome of your case. Avoid making admissions, providing documents, or engaging directly with HMRC without guidance. An experienced tax fraud lawyer can assess the nature of the enquiry, advise you on your rights, and manage all communications on your behalf.

Tax Law Solicitors For Businesses & Individuals

Tax Lawyers

Dealing with tax matters, whether personal or business-related, can feel overwhelming. The rules are complex, the stakes can be high, and it’s not always clear where you stand. That’s where we come in.

At Setfords, our experienced tax lawyers are here to take the stress out of tax law. Whether you’re facing an HMRC investigation, need help structuring your affairs tax-efficiently, or simply want to make sure you’re fully compliant, we’ll guide you through every step with the clear, practical advice you need.

Get in touch today to find out how our tax law team can help you.

0330 173 4694

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Tax Lawyers Specialisms

How exactly can our tax lawyers help you and your business? Our main areas of expertise include:

Tax Fraud
Tax Fraud
Tax investigations can be complex, intrusive, and highly stressful. You need the right legal advice to help you navigate the situation with confidence.
At Setfords, we are recognised as leading tax fraud lawyers, acting in some of the most significant and high-profile investigations in this area.
Our team has extensive experience defending both individuals and businesses facing HMRC investigations in the UK and internationally, with a strong track record of achieving successful outcomes. From the outset, we provide clear, strategic advice tailored to your circumstances, ensuring your position is protected at every stage.
Find out more about tax fraud lawyers
Tax Compliance
Tax Compliance
Staying on the right side of HMRC’s rules isn’t always straightforward. Tax legislation changes frequently, and the consequences of getting it wrong can be serious, from financial penalties to criminal investigation.
Our tax compliance lawyers help individuals and businesses understand their obligations and put the right processes in place to stay compliant.
Whether you need support with self-assessment, corporation tax returns, VAT compliance, Making Tax Digital requirements or more, we’ll make sure you’re up to date and properly protected.
If HMRC has already raised concerns, we can step in early to help resolve matters before they escalate.
Tax Structuring
Tax Structuring
How you structure your financial affairs can significantly impact your tax position. Our tax structuring lawyers advise individuals and businesses on arranging their affairs in the most tax-efficient way, while remaining fully within the law.
With HMRC increasingly scrutinising tax arrangements, it’s more important than ever to get expert advice upfront. Whether you need advice on business incorporation, group restructuring, share schemes, property holdings, succession planning or more, we take the time to understand your goals and circumstances to recommend a structure that works for you now and in the future.
Personal Tax
Personal Tax
Tax doesn’t just affect businesses. Individuals often face complex questions around their personal tax affairs, too.
Our personal tax lawyers advise on a wide range of matters, including Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance Tax, Income Tax disputes, and tax implications of property transactions, divorce settlements or trusts.
We know these issues often arise at important or stressful moments in life, so we make it a priority to explain things in plain English and give you a clear picture of where you stand. Whatever your personal tax query, we’re here to help you feel confident about your next steps.

Tax Fraud

Tax investigations can be complex, intrusive, and highly stressful. You need the right legal advice to help you navigate the situation with confidence.

At Setfords, we are recognised as leading tax fraud lawyers, acting in some of the most significant and high-profile investigations in this area.

Our team has extensive experience defending both individuals and businesses facing HMRC investigations in the UK and internationally, with a strong track record of achieving successful outcomes. From the outset, we provide clear, strategic advice tailored to your circumstances, ensuring your position is protected at every stage.

Find out more about tax fraud lawyers

Tax Compliance

Staying on the right side of HMRC’s rules isn’t always straightforward. Tax legislation changes frequently, and the consequences of getting it wrong can be serious, from financial penalties to criminal investigation.

Our tax compliance lawyers help individuals and businesses understand their obligations and put the right processes in place to stay compliant.

Whether you need support with self-assessment, corporation tax returns, VAT compliance, Making Tax Digital requirements or more, we’ll make sure you’re up to date and properly protected.

If HMRC has already raised concerns, we can step in early to help resolve matters before they escalate.

Tax Structuring

How you structure your financial affairs can significantly impact your tax position. Our tax structuring lawyers advise individuals and businesses on arranging their affairs in the most tax-efficient way, while remaining fully within the law.

With HMRC increasingly scrutinising tax arrangements, it’s more important than ever to get expert advice upfront. Whether you need advice on business incorporation, group restructuring, share schemes, property holdings, succession planning or more, we take the time to understand your goals and circumstances to recommend a structure that works for you now and in the future.

Personal Tax

Tax doesn’t just affect businesses. Individuals often face complex questions around their personal tax affairs, too.

Our personal tax lawyers advise on a wide range of matters, including Capital Gains Tax, Inheritance Tax, Income Tax disputes, and tax implications of property transactions, divorce settlements or trusts.

We know these issues often arise at important or stressful moments in life, so we make it a priority to explain things in plain English and give you a clear picture of where you stand. Whatever your personal tax query, we’re here to help you feel confident about your next steps.

Setfords’ Approach to Tax Law

We know that when it comes to tax, you need lawyers who truly listen, act quickly, and keep you informed at every stage. That’s exactly how we work at Setfords.

Every client receives personalised attention from a senior, experienced tax lawyer and your case will never be handed off to someone without the expertise it demands.

Whether you’re an individual with a personal tax question or a business navigating a complex investigation, you’ll get clear advice from professionals who know tax law inside out.

Get in touch with our tax solicitors today, and let’s talk about how we can help.

Contact a Tax Solicitor

Personal and Commercial Tax Solicitors

Mark Turner
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Phillip Barnett
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Karen Markall
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Ben Brassington
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Wilson Hill
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Catherine Mathieu
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Tax Law FAQs

What should I do if HMRC opens a tax investigation?
If HMRC opens an investigation into your tax affairs, it’s important to seek legal advice as soon as possible.
Don’t ignore correspondence or try to handle it alone. Early intervention from an experienced tax lawyer can make a significant difference to the outcome.
At Setfords, we guide clients through every stage of HMRC investigations, from the initial enquiry letter through to resolution, protecting your interests throughout.
What is the difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion?
Tax avoidance means using legal methods to reduce the amount of tax you owe, such as claiming allowances or structuring your affairs efficiently.
Tax evasion, on the other hand, is illegally concealing income or providing false information to HMRC to reduce your tax bill.
While avoidance is lawful, some arrangements may still be challenged by HMRC. It’s always wise to get professional advice to make sure your approach is robust.
Do I need a tax lawyer or an accountant?
Accountants are well-suited to preparing returns and managing day-to-day tax compliance.
However, if you’re facing an HMRC investigation, a tax dispute, or need advice on complex structuring, a specialist tax lawyer can offer legal advice and strategic guidance that accountants typically cannot.
In many cases, your accountant and tax lawyer will work together to give you the best possible support.
How can I reduce my Inheritance Tax liability?
There are several lawful ways to reduce your Inheritance Tax exposure, including making use of exemptions and reliefs, setting up trusts, making lifetime gifts, and structuring your estate efficiently.
The right approach depends on your individual circumstances, so it’s important to take advice early. Our personal tax lawyers can help you plan ahead and make sure your family is protected.
What penalties can HMRC impose for non-compliance with tax laws?
HMRC can impose a range of penalties for tax non-compliance, from financial fines to criminal prosecution in serious cases.
Penalties vary depending on the nature of the error and how cooperative you are in putting it right.
If you’re concerned about a potential compliance issue, getting legal advice early can help you manage the situation and potentially reduce any penalties.
What should I do if HMRC contacts me about a tax investigation?
If you receive any communication from HMRC suggesting an investigation into your tax affairs, you should seek specialist legal advice before responding. What you say (and don’t say) in the early stages can significantly affect the outcome of your case. Avoid making admissions, providing documents, or engaging directly with HMRC without guidance.
An experienced tax fraud lawyer can assess the nature of the enquiry, advise you on your rights, and manage all communications on your behalf.

Tax Law

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Tax Lawyers