HMRC tax investigations

If HMRC comes knocking, don’t go it alone

If you were facing a serious legal charge, you wouldn’t defend yourself in court, so why would you try and face an HMRC investigation alone?

At Sunny Accountants, we specialise in representing clients during HMRC tax enquiries and investigations.

Our expertise includes:

VAT enquiries
Investigations into overseas income and undisclosed capital gains
Self-assessment tax return reviews
Payroll and CIS reclaim investigations

We’re not afraid to challenge HMRC’s interpretation of tax law. Our team is tenacious, thorough, and experienced in negotiating the suspension, reduction, or removal of penalties where appropriate.

Why choose Sunny Accountants for HMRC investigations?

Because experience matters – and so does your outcome.

We’re often approached by clients who’ve been left feeling unsupported during stressful tax enquiries, and we regularly take over when other firms fall short.

Here’s what sets us apart:

Proven expertise in the most contentious and technical areas of tax
Confidence to challenge HMRC – we know the rules, and how to argue your case
Hands-on approach – we don’t pass you off to junior staff or rely on form letters
Clear communication – we explain what’s happening, why it matters, and what we’re doing to protect you
Results-driven – we don’t settle for minimum effort or easy outcomes

We don’t just defend your position, we actively fight your corner, backed by law, logic, and experience.

What to expect during an HMRC investigation

Most investigations begin with a letter requesting a meeting, records, or clarification. Common triggers include discrepancies in VAT returns, payroll reporting, or income declarations.

If you receive a letter from HMRC, don’t panic – contact us first.

When you engage Sunny Accountants:

We deal with HMRC on your behalf
We request that any meetings take place at our office
We prepare and present your case clearly and professionally
We minimise your involvement to reduce stress and disruption
We work for a fast, fair resolution, without overexposing you to unnecessary risk

A few recent wins

Here are just a few recent examples of how we’ve successfully defended clients under HMRC scrutiny:

Missing PAYE scheme – £5,000 saved

HMRC flagged missing PAYE despite wage costs in the accounts
We recreated wage records and challenged HMRC’s default assumptions
We proved staff earnings using NI numbers and negotiated a lower penalty
Result: Over £5,000 saved and no lasting impact

VAT registration dispute – £10,000 saved

A client unknowingly breached the VAT threshold during fluctuating COVID income
HMRC tried to register them retrospectively for four years
We proved only one period qualified and created full input VAT records
Result: Client saved over £10,000 in VAT and penalties

Sports facility VAT registration – registration secured

A complex case involving a charity partnership delayed a critical VAT registration
We worked with senior HMRC officials, met them on-site, and resolved concerns
Result: Registration approved and project saved

These outcomes reflect our deep technical knowledge, our strategic approach, and our commitment to protecting our clients.

Facing an HMRC investigation?

Get expert representation from a team that knows exactly how HMRC thinks and how to respond.

Let’s reduce your stress, protect your business, and fight your corner.

Our Services

Less admin, more time for you

Are you still using Word or Excel to create invoices and writing up your cashbook?

Start-up support

Some accountants avoid start-up businesses like the plague! We love them
– the enthusiasm…

Company set-up and business banking

We are happy to provide you with advice on the most advantageous share structure for your company.

Large Companies

Business banking Are you looking for an accountant for your £1million plus turnover company?

VAT support

VAT is the most complex tax we deal with and the most despised by our clients.

Suncloud Accounting

We recognise that may business owners have reasonably straightforward
financial affairs…

International VAT

Is your business based in the UK? Do you sell many of your goods overseas?