Code of Practice 9 (COP) Accountants – Crouch End

Jul 30

Professional Crouch End Code of Practice 9 (COP) Accountants

HMRC – Post Covid 19 Overview

HMRC’s various compliance arms are now back up to speed and functioning as normal. All existing tax investigations and disclosures will be progressed with increased veracity.

Given the impending financial crisis that the country now faces; we will inevitably see an intensification of HMRC compliance and investigation activity.

This will result in a more aggressive and punitive approach to all new tax investigations. There has never been a better time to come forward and make a full voluntary disclosure, thus removing the risk of criminal prosecution or heavier financial penalties.

If you have any concerns regarding your tax affairs; We are here & open to help. Our Tax Investigations Experts are here for you and just a call away, with help for any type of HMRC tax investigation.

What is Code of Practice 9?

Code of Practice 9 (COP9) is a UK tax investigation procedure that HMRC use in cases where they suspect serious tax fraud. The procedure is incredibly intense, stressful and intrusive.

You should never attempt to deal with a case conducted Code of Practice 9 without advice and representation from a UK tax investigation specialist.

Our top Code of Practice experts take incredible pride in serving the people of Crouch End in their time of need. We offer a wide range of tax investigation services around Crouch End , UK.

COP8 and COP9, What is the difference?

Code of Practice 8 Investigation

HMRC will usually launch a COP8 investigation if they suspect that you may have committed tax evasion, but do not have enough evidence to prove it.

In a COP8 investigation, you will be required to provide further information regarding any historical tax arrangements. The process of giving this information makes a COP8 investigation long, complex and time-consuming. Therefore, it can make a lot of sense to seek help from a Code of Practice 9 specialist or accountant. If during a COP8 investigation, HMRC uncovers the proof that they suspected existed, this will trigger a COP9 investigation.

Code of Practice 9 Investigation

If HMRC has enough proof to present evidence of tax evasion, you will be sent a COP9 letter.

COP9 investigations are only launched when HMRC have a suspicion that you have committed serious tax fraud, usually in excess of £100,000. This fraud can be historical and date back as far as 20 years.

Once you are under a COP9 notice, you are at high risk of prosecution and so should respond very carefully and avoid trying to further conceal any information.

Therefore, at this point it is always best to seek qualified advice from a Code of Practice 9 expert.

We provide you with expert & affordable Code of Practice 9 (COP) Accountants who will fix even the most complicated problems related to your tax affairs

Code of Practice 9 (COP) Accountants in Crouch End UK

Call 0786 214 3033 to get a quote today

Why Use Our Code of Practice 9 (COP) Accountants

With a COP9 letter you have 60 days to accept or reject. This decision is vital to the outcome of the case and the financial impact on you.

You don't have to accept the CDF offer. If you have not acted deliberately with any tax irregularities, the CDF offer should be rejected. Any rejection, however, needs to be handled with care as HMRC already suspects you have committed tax fraud.

Doing nothing is also not an option as HMRC will deem you to have rejected its CDF offer and will start its investigation.

You will be considered as uncooperative, the amount of your penalties will be greatly increased and, more importantly, you will have lost all control.

The difference between making a mistake and taking positive action is not always straight forward. An HMRC specialist accountant will be able to establish how your actions should be seen in light of the COP9 investigation and will be perfectly able to make representations to HMRC should this be needed.

The possible consequences of a rejection must be taken seriously, but so also the financial implications of accepting you have committed tax fraud.

Getting professional advice when accepting or rejecting the CDF offer is, therefore, essential to ensure you make the right decision.

We have ex-HMRC investigators working with our team to help anyone with a COP9 investigation.

What is a COP9 Letter and Leaflet?

Code of Practice 9 offers you two different options:

Admit to deliberate tax fraud and commit to taking part in the contractual disclosure facility

Deny deliberate tax fraud; by either stating that specifically or by not replying to the Code of Practice 9 letter.

The leaflet explains how you should complete the relevant outline disclosure forms. It is vital that you seek specialist professional advice before doing so. Failure to complete the outline form correctly; even innocently, will lead to HMRC refusing your request to take part in the CDF process.

Call us (020-3974-1012) to schedule an appointment with one of our Code of Practice 9 (COP) Accountants and we will be with you as soon as possible!

COP9 Investigation Procedure

HMRC’s handling of the case will be determined by the material items disclosed as part of the initial outline of tax irregularities. You should never underestimate the importance of submitting an accurate and substantive outline. If you are expressing a wish to take part in the CPF by admitting deliberate tax fraud; the last thing you want at this stage is for HMRC to refuse your application. They will deal with you as if you via the denial route or simply treat you as if you had not returned the outline forms. This will be viewed as a lack of co-operation; with potentially serious consequences. Aside from harsher penalties you could find yourself before the courts and in prison.

What to do if You Receive a COP 9 Letter

Firstly; try not to panic – You will hear no scare mongering words from our COP 9 experts. We will give you the straightforward no nonsense support and advice that you need to come through this.

COP 9 is a serious procedure; but remember HMRC are offering you an olive branch. Come forward with an admittance and full disclosure of your tax irregularities and they will not prosecute you.

Be decisive and act – You simply must seek professional advice and support when undertaking any form of contact with HMRC during the COP 9 process. HMRC strongly recommend that you seek specialist support in their opening letter.

Accountant or tax investigation specialist? – You should always choose a tax investigation specialist; as opposed to you own or a new accountant. Smaller bespoke firms; specialising in COP 9 work invariably offer a better service than larger firms of accountants.

That includes accountants listed in the so called Big 5. The protocol when dealing with a large firm is totally different than when dealing with a dedicated tax investigation practice.

Larger operations are impersonal; where the partner will often deal with the sign-up process only to pass your case on to one of his less experienced team members.

When we represent you; your COP 9 disclosure or investigation will always be handled by our Director of Investigations.

Code of Practice 9 Acceptance or Denial

COP9 ACCEPTANCE

If you decide to accept HMRC’s offer to take part in the COP 9 / CDF procedure, then you must firstly outline the nature, scale and extent of tax irregularities perpetrated. This needs to be sufficiently detailed to give HMRC a summary of the matters to be disclosed. It need not be forensic. Your appointed tax investigation adviser will be able to deal with this correctly for you.
Once your outline disclosure is filed, HMRC will review this against the information they hold. If the investigator is satisfied, they will write to you confirming that your outline has been accepted. They will likely request a meeting check what you have stated in the outline disclosure matches the information HMRC holds.
If the inspector is satisfied that you have disclosed all material tax issues you will be notified of this in writing and HMRC will usually request a meeting with you and your adviser.
Should HMRC decide that they are unable to accept your outline disclosure; because they feel it is inaccurate or incomplete then they will write out to you confirming this and informing you that they will be launching their own investigation into your tax affairs. This could either be a civil or criminal investigation.
If you outline is accepted, and a meeting is requested. It is vital that you prepare properly. Your adviser will brief you on the standardised elements of the meeting; together with clear advice on what you need to prepare and/or bring to the meeting.
At the meeting HMRC will ask you and your adviser to prepare a full disclosure report of all irregularities within an agreed time frame.
It is vital that your adviser communicates regularly with HMRC during the report preparation process. There will likely be interim, progress meetings between HMRC and your representative to ensure all parties are satisfied. This should also minimise the level of scrutiny once your full disclosure report is submitted.
Once your report is submitted HMRC will then compare and test the report; against the information they hold. This will be a risk-based assessment. Your honesty and the appointment of the right tax investigation specialist is vital at this stage. Mistakes; however well-meaning can be extremely costly.

COP9 DENIAL

HMRC are not always correct in their assertion that deliberate tax fraud has be committed. If you feel that HMRC have got something wrong or have acted unfairly then you should speak with a tax investigation specialist immediately.
Should HMRC pursue their own investigation after you adopt the denial route, then you should assess all requests for information and documents carefully. This is not simply a question of you “having nothing to hide”. You should think carefully before supplying information of documents to HMRC that they are not legally entitled to see.

Affordable Code of Practice 9 (COP) Accountants in Crouch End

We can support you through the entire Code of Practice 9 (COP9) process.

We will:

Review your tax position thoroughly
Negotiate the scope with HMRC
Work with you to complete a full disclosure report
Attend all meetings with HMRC
Negotiate a final settlement, including tax, interest, and penalties
Secure you time to pay if required and appropriate
Advise you on future good practice

Regardless of scale if you:

Have received a letter from HMRC Special Investigations or civil investigation of fraud, informing you that they are investigating you under Code of Practice 9
Have been asked to make a full disclosure of your tax affairs
Have concerns regarding tax fraud or tax evasion generally

Why Trust Us to Handle Your Code of Practice 9 Case?

We are Crouch End ’s top Code of Practice 9 Specialist company with only the most skilled and experienced HMRC experts who are well-versed in all of the HMRC terminology and practices. There is no problem that we cannot help you with if you put your trust in us!

Our Code of Practice 9 (COP) Accountants work closely with you whatever your decision is we can help you save money in both instances.