HMRC investigation question

[loneb]

Hi can anyone confirm if HMRC will review all personal bank accounts under your own name and any personal joint accounts as part of a HMRC investigation for expense claims or do they simply review receipts?

[Not Losing Any Sleep]

Hi can anyone confirm if HMRC will review all personal bank accounts under your own name and any personal joint accounts as part of a HMRC investigation for expense claims or do they simply review receipts?

The are entitled to ask for personal bank acccounts and most probably will.

[webberg]

The are entitled to ask for personal bank acccounts and most probably will.

Not quite correct.

HMRC can ask for bank statements if they are relevant to their enquiries. Such request can be refused if the information is available from other sources.

Only in the more serious investigations (COP9) would HMRC send a third party notice to the bank asking for the data. Even then most banks resist on the grounds of client confidentiality.

I'm not saying that HMRC won't eventually get statements but it's nowhere near as common as you think, can be resisted on many levels by all parties and is normally reserved for serious cases.

[loneb]

Thanks for the details - my problem is that i purchased a laptop for £700 for work about 1 year ago however it was purchased on the ex's credit card and i then paid expenses to myself and then forwarded it to her.

I have the receipt but i no longer have her details as we haven't kept in touch for a long time.

I am not under investigation but worried if HMRC will fine me etc for not being able to produce her statements for the purchase.

[chubacabra]

Thanks for the details - my problem is that i purchased a laptop for £700 for work about 1 year ago however it was purchased on the ex's credit card and i then paid expenses to myself and then forwarded it to her.

I have the receipt but i no longer have her details as we haven't kept in touch for a long time.

I am not under investigation but worried if HMRC will fine me etc for not being able to produce her statements for the purchase.

Think this has been posted in the wrong section? This sub forum is for EBT scheme enquiries.

In relation to the question though - As long as you have the receipt you are fine. HMRC are not interested in seeing your bank statements in relation to this

[loneb]

sorry didn't notice i posted this in incorrect thread - please feel free to move it.

thank you all for confirming

[cojak]

Moved.

[BlasterBates]

Thanks for the details - my problem is that i purchased a laptop for £700 for work about 1 year ago however it was purchased on the ex's credit card and i then paid expenses to myself and then forwarded it to her.

I have the receipt but i no longer have her details as we haven't kept in touch for a long time.

I am not under investigation but worried if HMRC will fine me etc for not being able to produce her statements for the purchase.

The tax office normally just check receipts. Only in exceptional circumstances where there was some systematic fraud suspected are they going to go further.

Buying a Laptop as an IT contractor is not really suspicious and perfectly valid looking receipt is all they'll normally need. If they really want to check, then they can check with the retailer.