Suitable Tax Advisors to handle settlement?

[BankingContract0r]

Hi Guys,

My first post, prompted by a notice of assessment I’ve received from the HMRC and the inevitable anxiety that follows!

The notice is made under Section 29 and covers 2013-14 tax year. At the time I was using a solution by IQ Contracts who have since changed names many times, but still one of the biggest solution providers I am told.

They appointed a company called Previse to deal with matters for their scheme users however I came off the scheme a number of years ago and so it seems I offer very little incentive for them to help. I’ve been told they’re unable to offer help in my scenario and suggested speaking with a Tax specialist called Templeton Brook.

I understand one of my options are to settle under the CLSO by registering my interest with HMRC. This feels like the most suitable options for me (although I haven’t yet sought advice about what other options are available).

My intention is to appoint someone to deal with the settlement process on my behalf – if indeed this is the best course of action in my situation.

Is this generally the preferred approach? If so, who have people used in the past and would be happy to recommend?

I have seen Contractor Specialist PTS Limited come up a couple of times on the forum. Does anyone have experience of Templeton Brook?

All advise greatly received!

[webberg]

You should do some research on advisers.

Some are connected to schemes, such as Previse, and will perhaps run into a conflict between acting for you and the rump of the scheme.

Some are very good at general tax but not in this specialist area. I'm sure that they will do a good job but you may have to pay to get them up to speed.

Some are new to this area and their connections and experience are more discreet. The only way to find out is to do some research via Companies House and Linkedin and whatever other resource is your favourite.

You should also take note of what your fellow posters here say.

From my experience here, the main advisers are us (WTT Consulting) or Phil at DSW.

There is a poster called Iliketax who is very knowledgeable but is not looking for clients I understand.

Many contractor firms offer services which are more geared to day to day running of limited companies and umbrellas. I'm sure that they could do enquiry work, but you need to ask them.

[BankingContract0r]

You should do some research on advisers.

Some are connected to schemes, such as Previse, and will perhaps run into a conflict between acting for you and the rump of the scheme.

In my case Previse weren't able (willing?) to help. I suspect the Tax advisor they referred also has some sort of link so I'm inclined to go with someone completely independent who will be impartial.

Some are very good at general tax but not in this specialist area. I'm sure that they will do a good job but you may have to pay to get them up to speed.

Some are new to this area and their connections and experience are more discreet. The only way to find out is to do some research via Companies House and Linkedin and whatever other resource is your favourite.

Please excuse my elementary questions, how would one search companies house for a suitable tax advisory?

You should also take note of what your fellow posters here say.

From my experience here, the main advisers are us (WTT Consulting) or Phil at DSW.

There is a poster called Iliketax who is very knowledgeable but is not looking for clients I understand.

Many contractor firms offer services which are more geared to day to day running of limited companies and umbrellas. I'm sure that they could do enquiry work, but you need to ask them.

Thanks, I'll take a look into these names.

Another general question; is getting an advisor the best way or have people been successful in negotiating lesser sums when detail with HMRC directly?

[webberg]

To clarify.

You have had Templeton Brook mentioned to you. I suggest that you check them out at Companies House as a measure of their bone fides, experience, connections. The same could be said of all others.

No adviser will get a discount if the HMRC settlement is taken. The deal is the deal. Any adviser who promises a discount should be asked to base their fee on achieving it.

[LS Templeton]

Clarification

To clarify.

You have had Templeton Brook mentioned to you. I suggest that you check them out at Companies House as a measure of their bone fides, experience, connections. The same could be said of all others.

No adviser will get a discount if the HMRC settlement is taken. The deal is the deal. Any adviser who promises a discount should be asked to base their fee on achieving it.

Webberg,
It is actually Wealth Services Limited trading as Templeton Brook, Company No. 10775307, 30 St Mary Axe, The Gherkin, Level 28, London EC3A 8BF, ww w.templetonbrook.com

Banking Contractor, for the avoidance of any doubt, we are completely independent and not associated with any loan scheme/payroll provider, umbrella or agency. Ordinarily, our clients have used multiple providers. Apart from settling negotiations, we can assist with negotiating a time-to-pay arrangement subject to your individual circumstances. <mod snip>


Regards,

LS

[cojak]

Webberg,
It is actually Wealth Services Limited trading as Templeton Brook, Company No. 10775307, 30 St Mary Axe, The Gherkin, Level 28, London EC3A 8BF, ww w.templetonbrook.com

Banking Contractor, for the avoidance of any doubt, we are completely independent and not associated with any loan scheme/payroll provider, umbrella or agency. Ordinarily, our clients have used multiple providers. Apart from settling negotiations, we can assist with negotiating a time-to-pay arrangement subject to your individual circumstances. <mod snip>


Regards,

LS

Thanks for that, we’ll just check you out before letting any other posts through.

Edit: And we have checked, although the address stated is uk , LS Templeton in based in the Isle of Man.

Apart from investigating company links, the poster’s IP address used to register and in their post is part of a range owned by Manx Telecom.

[webberg]

Webberg,
It is actually Wealth Services Limited trading as Templeton Brook, Company No. 10775307, 30 St Mary Axe, The Gherkin, Level 28, London EC3A 8BF, ww w.templetonbrook.com

Banking Contractor, for the avoidance of any doubt, we are completely independent and not associated with any loan scheme/payroll provider, umbrella or agency. Ordinarily, our clients have used multiple providers. Apart from settling negotiations, we can assist with negotiating a time-to-pay arrangement subject to your individual circumstances. <mod snip>


Regards,

LS

Then I'm happy to be corrected and I think it proves my point that individuals looking on here for advisers must do their research.

[WTFH]

Then I'm happy to be corrected and I think it proves my point that individuals looking on here for advisers must do their research.

Actually, you didn't need to be corrected, but it took quite a bit of digging.

Two companies, one dormant, one active.
The active one uses the dormant one's name.
For one, an officer of the company is named with a first and last name.
For the other company, the officer is named with a title, first, middle and last name. So when you search on Companies House, they aren't linked to the same person.

Honest mistake? Misdirection? Deception? I'll let you decide.

For all of those who are searching for tax advisors, wealth managers, etc, please remember: caveat emptor

[St Mary Axe]

Correction

Thanks for that, we’ll just check you out before letting any other posts through.

Edit: And we have checked, although the address stated is uk , LS Templeton in based in the Isle of Man.

Apart from investigating company links, the poster’s IP address used to register and in their post is part of a range owned by Manx Telecom.

Cojak,
"LS Templeton is based in the Isle of Man" is an INCORRECT statement. I do travel on business quite often and you will find that I post from various jurisdictions. There was no need to impose a knee-jerk ban based on IP address. If IP is what you are relying on, undoubtedly I am in London today. We are indeed based in St Mary Axe (The Gherkin) and anyone who would like to meet us at our office is more than welcome to arrange an appointment.
Regards,
LS

[cojak]

Cojak,
"LS Templeton is based in the Isle of Man" is an INCORRECT statement. I do travel on business quite often and you will find that I post from various jurisdictions. There was no need to impose a knee-jerk ban based on IP address. If IP is what you are relying on, undoubtedly I am in London today. We are indeed based in St Mary Axe (The Gherkin) and anyone who would like to meet us at our office is more than welcome to arrange an appointment.
Regards,
LS

I did say ‘apart from investigating company links’. I’ll let WFTH explain what he discovered.

Regarding your address, I stand corrected.

Other than that, the ban stays.