Tax investigation: how soon after tax return?

[brownc]

I submitted my 2010/11 tax return in May 2011.

If an investigation were to take place would this be some time during 12 months following the date of submission, or 12 months following the final submission date in January 2012?

Many thanks.

[DaveB]

IIRC the cut off for normal investigations is 6 years from the end of the company year in question. Under certain circumstances they can go back further than that.

EDIT : Ignore that.

For CT it is now 12 months from date of Submission of the return.
http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/ctsa/enq-window.htm

[brownc]

IIRC the cut off for normal investigations is 6 years from the end of the company year in question. Under certain circumstances they can go back further than that.

Sorry, I should've given more info. I'm a contractor - my self-assessment tax return was submitted in May 2011. I've heard different things regarding the window for investigation...some say 12 months following submission, others say 12 months following the Jan deadline. I've just read that it recently changed to 12 months following submission but can't confirm this.

I'm just wondering if anyone knows for sure?

[northernladuk]

Something to hide have ?

[brownc]

IIRC the cut off for normal investigations is 6 years from the end of the company year in question. Under certain circumstances they can go back further than that.

EDIT : Ignore that.

For CT it is now 12 months from date of Submission of the return.
HM Revenue & Customs: Corporation Tax: enquiry window changes – dealing with large and medium-sized groups

Thankyou.

[Clare@InTouch]

For your personal tax return (rather than the CT return above) it's also 12 months from submission, but it may be longer if you filed late or filed an amendment.

Details here: HM Revenue & Customs: Checks into your tax return

[ChimpMaster]

Unless of course HMRC suspect you've been up to no good, in which case I believe they can go back as far as 20 years!

ISTBC.

[malvolio]

Unless of course HMRC suspect you've been up to no good, in which case I believe they can go back as far as 20 years!

ISTBC.

They still have to tell you that your return is being investigated within 12 months of final submission. They can then open inquiries on other years if they are justifiable

[davetza]

They usually only go back 12 months but if they believe the tax return was incomplete or misleading that can issue a Section 29 which allows them to go back 6 years. See here for more info

Why contractors can