Your trusted local accountants
HMRC sends millions of letters every year. Most are routine. Some need urgent action. We'll tell you exactly what yours means, what your deadline is, and how to respond — today.
Tell us about your business — we'll explain how we can help and what it would cost.
Every HMRC letter has a different meaning, urgency level, and correct response. Here's what each one means and what you should do.
HMRC sends these automatically to remind you a return is due or to check your records are correct. Often computer-generated, they don't mean you're under investigation.
HMRC wants to check your tax affairs are correct. This is not a criminal investigation — it's civil. They'll ask for records, receipts or explanations. You typically have 30 days.
HMRC wants to inspect your VAT records. This can be routine or triggered by anomalies. Either way, preparation is critical — how you handle it matters significantly.
CP9 is HMRC's most serious civil investigation — reserved for suspected fraud. If you receive this letter, you need specialist help immediately. Do not respond alone.
HMRC says you owe money and wants payment. This might be a time-to-pay warning or notice of enforcement. Deadlines are strict and interest accrues daily without action.
HMRC has passed your debt to enforcement and may be authorised to seize assets. If you've received a letter from a bailiff acting for HMRC, time is extremely short.
Not sure which type you have? Take a photo of the letter and WhatsApp it to 0203 633 5413 — we'll identify it within the hour. No charge, no obligation.
These mistakes turn manageable situations into serious problems. We see them every week.
The most common mistake. HMRC will escalate — deadlines pass, penalties compound, and what started as a £200 fine becomes a £2,000 enforcement action.
What you say in your first response sets the tone for everything that follows. An untrained reply can inadvertently open new lines of enquiry you didn't need.
Over-disclosure can significantly broaden the scope of HMRC's enquiry. Only respond to exactly what's been requested — nothing more, nothing less.
Many general accountants are not experienced with HMRC investigations. If they don't do this regularly, their response may make things significantly worse.
Under stress some people make panicked decisions. Altering, destroying or backdating records is a criminal offence. Whatever state your records are in — call us first.
HMRC deadlines are strict. Missing them triggers automatic penalties and signals non-cooperation. We can request extensions on your behalf — but only before the deadline passes.
From the moment you call us, you don't need to speak to HMRC again. We represent you at every stage.
We read the letter, identify the exact type of enquiry, and tell you precisely what HMRC is looking for and what your deadline is.
We formally notify HMRC we're acting on your behalf. All correspondence goes through us. You stop receiving letters directly.
We prepare your response carefully — giving HMRC exactly what's required, nothing more, protecting your position throughout.
We negotiate the best outcome, handle all meetings and calls, and put safeguards in place so this doesn't happen again.
HMRC enquiry defence is included in every AudTax monthly plan — up to £5,000 of professional defence costs covered. If you're already a client, you're already protected. If you're not, this is a very good time to become one.
Almost certainly not. The vast majority of HMRC letters are routine compliance checks, automated reminders, or requests for information — not criminal investigations. Formal criminal investigations (Code of Practice 9) are rare and HMRC is required to tell you explicitly if that's the case.
It depends on the letter type. Routine information requests typically give you 30 days. Payment demands can be as short as 14 days. Call us immediately — we can identify your exact deadline from the letter in minutes.
Yes — in most cases HMRC will grant a short extension if you ask promptly and give a reasonable reason. We do this routinely on behalf of clients. The key is to request the extension before the original deadline passes, not after.
HMRC will escalate. A missed deadline triggers an automatic penalty, followed by further letters, a formal assessment where HMRC estimates what you owe — usually high — and ultimately enforcement action. Ignoring it never makes the problem go away.
Not necessarily. Many compliance checks result in no additional tax owed — especially when a specialist accountant handles the response. We regularly close investigations with no additional liability for our clients.
If you become an AudTax client, HMRC enquiry defence up to £5,000 is included in your monthly fee from £150+VAT. For one-off assistance, we'll quote a fixed fee after reviewing the letter — no hourly billing, no surprises. Call 0203 633 5413 for an honest assessment on the first call.
From cashflow to business growth, we'll make it feel easy. If you're ready to take the next step and get your business on the path to growth, get in touch today so we can learn about your plans.