The Eternal Triangle

Much like a jealous lover, HMRC cannot stand the fact that businesses use tax advisers when dealing with HMRC.

HMRC want to show their "love" for businesses directly, without having to share it with others.

As such it should come as no surprise to learn that HMRC are trying a pilot scheme in Exeter, designed to remove tax advisers from the equation.

AccountingWEB reports that HMRC will be contacting local business owners directly, rather than going through their professional advisers, in order to arrange a two day examination of their tax records (without reference to their professional advisers).

HMRC claim that the pilot scheme is designed to minimise compliance costs for both "customers" and HMRC.

Andrew Browne of Bishop Fleming is not convinced:

"This initiative may be aimed at distancing business owners from their tax advisers and putting them under aggressive scrutiny by the taxman."

The old maxim "if you hire a dog, don't do the barking yourself" applies here. In the event that you are contacted by HMRC, pass on the correspondence to your tax adviser and let him/her deal with it.

That is why you are paying them.

Threesomes are much more fun!

Tax does have to be taxing.

Professional Cover Against the Threat of Costly TAX and VAT Investigations

What is TAXWISE?

TAXWISE is a tax-fee protection service that will pay up to £75,000 towards your accountant's fees in the event of an HM Revenue & Customs full enquiry or dispute.

To find out more, please use this link Taxwise

Tax Investigation for Dummies, by Nick Morgan, provides a good and easy to read guide for anyone caught up in an HMRC tax investigation. A must read for any Self Assessment taxpayer.

Click the link to read about: Tax Investigation for Dummies

HMRC Is Shite (www.hmrcisshite.com), also available via the domain www.hmrconline.com, is brought to you by www.kenfrost.com "The Living Brand"