McFarlane [2018] TC 06512 – Tax Tribunal case lost for deliberate behaviour

Sep 15, 2018 | Code of Practice 9, Tax Advice, Tax Enquiry, Tax Investigation, Tax Tribunal Cases | 0 comments

The First Tier Tribunal judge found in this appeal that there was a valid discovery and the appellant’s actions were considered deliberate. The appellants agents FTR Accountants Company Limited had made a series of mistakes and errors in the appeal process and did even turn up to the hearing with the excuse that they had got their diaries wrong. This case demonstrates the importance of cooperating with HMRC from the outset and to ensure the formal appeal process is adhered to by the agents as any mistakes could prove to be costly.

Tax fraudster jailed for VAT repayments

Sep 7, 2018 | Code of Practice 9, Tax Advice, Tax Enquiry, Tax Investigation, Worldwide Disclosure Facility | 0 comments

David Handley, aged 43, from Leicester has been jailed for four years for VAT repayment fraud. Mr. Handley was the mastermind behind a gang of 18 people using forged identities to set up businesses and claim more than three hundred fraudulent VAT refunds. In his supervision, Mr. Handley had set up almost 46 illegitimate businesses purely to claim tax from HMRC. Read more…

Football agent loses tax avoidance case

Aug 28, 2018 | Code of Practice 9, Tax Enquiry, Tax Investigation | 0 comments

Jerome Anderson, a former football agent has finally lost his tax case of £1.2 million against HMRC. The Upper Tribunal concluded that Mr Anderson and eight other individuals failed in using this scheme which involved investing in recruiting young players in South Africa. Mr. Jerone Anderson was trying to use this investment to claim a bogus loss of £3 million in order to significantly reduce his tax liability. Read more..

Code of Practice 9 tax investigation closed

Aug 20, 2018 | Code of Practice 9, Tax Enquiry, Tax Investigation, Tax Tribunal Cases, Worldwide Disclosure Facility | 0 comments

This client came to us from London after he was referred to our firm by his accountants. This Code of Practice 9 ( COP 9 ) tax investigation case was being dealt with by a forensic accountant in Wales who decided to close his business and do a runner after taking a large fee upfront. The case involved undisclosed income from various sources over 13 years and involved complex transactions. Our team of tax experts took on the case and after thoroughly investigating the facts and meeting with HMRC officers, were able to reach a settlement that was acceptable to our client and HMRC. The case was closed and our client thanked us for our efforts to bring his life back to normal. Our analysis: Code of practice 8 and code of practice 9 tax investigation cases are very complex. With Code of Practice 9 cases, there is immunity for making a full disclosure. If however, the tax payer does not make a full disclosure, there is a risk of prosecution by HMRC. There have been numerous cases of tax payer being sentenced to prison for not making a full disclosure during the Code of Practice 9 enquiry. Our team of tax specialists have extensive experience in dealing with Code of Practice 8 and Code of Practice 9 investigations and negotiating best possible settlements for the clients.

Man jailed after failing to comply with Code of Practice 9 investigation

Jun 20, 2018 | Code of Practice 9, Tax Enquiry, Tax Investigation, Tax Tribunal Cases | 0 comments

Bartley Murphy from Demesne Road, Downpatrick, has been sentenced to prison for 2 years and three months for tax fraud. Mr. Murphy developed and sold several houses between 2007 and 2014 but did not declare his profits to HMRC or paid any tax. He was offered Contractual Disclosure Facility under Code of Practice 9 by HMRC to make a full disclosure of his tax irregularities. However, despite being under a serious tax investigation Mr. Murphy chose to lie and did not make a full disclosure. Read more.