VAT 'compliance visit' from HMRC

[philip@wellwoodhoyle]

There's absolutely no need for them to visit you. We've dealt with many VAT "compliance visits" by simply posting copies of the bank statements, VAT return workings and invoices to the local VAT office to let them check at their leisure. Obviously this is only practical if there's not much paperwork to send - you don't want to be sending boxes full of the stuff. The reason we do this is simply so we don't have to waste our time with them if they come to our office to view the books and most clients (especially IT contractors) don't want to have to take a day off work just to sit at home watching the VAT men do their stuff. Just phone them up and tell them that you'd rather post them copies of the paperwork - they can always ask for more paperwork if they don't think you've sent enough to satisfy them.

[dude69]

There's absolutely no need for them to visit you. We've dealt with many VAT "compliance visits" by simply posting copies of the bank statements, VAT return workings and invoices to the local VAT office to let them check at their leisure. Obviously this is only practical if there's not much paperwork to send - you don't want to be sending boxes full of the stuff. The reason we do this is simply so we don't have to waste our time with them if they come to our office to view the books and most clients (especially IT contractors) don't want to have to take a day off work just to sit at home watching the VAT men do their stuff. Just phone them up and tell them that you'd rather post them copies of the paperwork - they can always ask for more paperwork if they don't think you've sent enough to satisfy them.

I've sent them an email offering to email them my invoices, adding that the visit wouldn't be convenient. No response as yet.

[lexington_spurs]

I've sent them an email offering to email them my invoices, adding that the visit wouldn't be convenient. No response as yet.

Perhaps you are being picked on as a nice easy training visit for someone.

[dude69]

Perhaps you are being picked on as a nice easy training visit for someone.

he's off sick apparently, so it has been cancelled.

[northernladuk]

he's off sick apparently, so it has been cancelled.

Result!! LOL

[centurian]

The link between VAT & tax inspectors is a bit like Immigration & Customs when coming back from overseas.

If an immigration officer has cause to search someone's bags for immigration purposes, they are not looking for contraband. However, if they stumble across a bag of white powder, they'll hardly ignore it.

The VAT inspectors coming in for that purpose. If they wanted to do an aspect enquiry, they would be doing this in the first place. If they're coming in to do a VAT inspection, give them what they ask for - nothing more, nothing less.

If you have insurance cover, time to invoke it. If you haven't then it's time to get it just in case (or join the PCG PDQ, which is the better option).

The insurance won't cover any investigation that you are aware of at the time you take out the policy - although if it does develop into an aspect enquiry, it might be arguable that it is a new enquiry. Expect any insurers to fight this hard though - and rightly so.

[centurian]

he's off sick apparently, so it has been cancelled.

Who said Swine Flu was a bad thing

Congrats though. Hopefully they won't revive it later, but just goes to show that it was probably just a general fishing trip and nothing to worry about anyway.