Hassle-free help from the UK's best Money, Tax & Debt solicitors.
Transparent pricing, from start to finishGet the support you need, when you need itTrusted lawyers, clear expectations
Transparent pricing, from start to finishGet the support you need, when you need itTrusted lawyers, clear expectations
Amazing experience
After placing an enquiry, I received a call 20 minutes later, and then 2 hours later, I had a solicitor assigned to me. They were absolutely incredible right from the word go - amazing and very prompt with replies, answering all my questions and keeping the process moving. We finally completed today and I am so unbelievably happy. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Lawhive again in the future if needed.
Lily
First class service
I initially made an online enquiry about a tricky conveyancing matter and received an immediate call back. They understood straight away what was needed and gave me a quote that was very reasonable. It was such a pleasure to find someone who was cheerful, professional and completely reassuring as I’d been getting quite anxious about the sale of my house. The service Lawhive has provided is absolutely first class and I cannot recommend them enough.
Charles
Empathetic, professional and efficient
I am an executor, selling my mother's home. I found the assistance I received from Lawhive first rate - empathetic, professional and efficient.
Mark
Great service from Lawhive
We used Lawhive for our conveyancing needs and our solicitor was very helpful, patient and informative. She helped us with our needs with prompt responses and provided a very efficient service.
Kelvin
Great service when you need clarity and calm
Our solicitor was warm, friendly and provided crystal clear communication. A lot of conveyancers assume customers know everything about the process already, so it was really appreciated to hear each stage included in the price given.
Em
Quick and efficient
We used Lawhive for a transfer of property and conveyancing. Our solicitor was so helpful and thorough with the whole process. He responded quickly and efficiently to any questions or requests that we had and explained some of the more complicated issues regarding the process clearly.
Geri
Fantastic service and experience with Lawhive
I had the pleasure of working with Lawhive doing a transfer of equity on a property. Our solicitor’s service was amazing, she responded quickly to any questions or concerns and kept me updated throughout the process. I can strongly recommend her for any conveyancing work that you may need. Fantastic service all round.
Jane
Amazing experience
After placing an enquiry, I received a call 20 minutes later, and then 2 hours later, I had a solicitor assigned to me. They were absolutely incredible right from the word go - amazing and very prompt with replies, answering all my questions and keeping the process moving. We finally completed today and I am so unbelievably happy. I wouldn’t hesitate to use Lawhive again in the future if needed.
Lily
First class service
I initially made an online enquiry about a tricky conveyancing matter and received an immediate call back. They understood straight away what was needed and gave me a quote that was very reasonable. It was such a pleasure to find someone who was cheerful, professional and completely reassuring as I’d been getting quite anxious about the sale of my house. The service Lawhive has provided is absolutely first class and I cannot recommend them enough.
Charles
Empathetic, professional and efficient
I am an executor, selling my mother's home. I found the assistance I received from Lawhive first rate - empathetic, professional and efficient.
Mark
Great service from Lawhive
We used Lawhive for our conveyancing needs and our solicitor was very helpful, patient and informative. She helped us with our needs with prompt responses and provided a very efficient service.
Kelvin
Great service when you need clarity and calm
Our solicitor was warm, friendly and provided crystal clear communication. A lot of conveyancers assume customers know everything about the process already, so it was really appreciated to hear each stage included in the price given.
Em
Quick and efficient
We used Lawhive for a transfer of property and conveyancing. Our solicitor was so helpful and thorough with the whole process. He responded quickly and efficiently to any questions or requests that we had and explained some of the more complicated issues regarding the process clearly.
Geri
Fantastic service and experience with Lawhive
I had the pleasure of working with Lawhive doing a transfer of equity on a property. Our solicitor’s service was amazing, she responded quickly to any questions or concerns and kept me updated throughout the process. I can strongly recommend her for any conveyancing work that you may need. Fantastic service all round.
Jane
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01 overview
Sometimes disputes can arise after an appealable decision from HMRC, such as when they raise an assessment, conclude an enquiry, or issue a penalty decision.
But going head-to-head with HMRC can feel like venturing into uncharted territory if you’re unfamiliar with the processes involved. Fortunately, there are various ways to manage HMRC disputes effectively whether you’re an individual taxpayer or business owner.
At Lawhive, our network of expert money, tax, and debt lawyers specialise in guiding clients through HMRC disputes, providing expert advice and representation tailored to your specific circumstances.
So, if you are caught up in an HMRC dispute, contact us today for a free case evaluation and quote from our legal assessment team.
You can challenge a decision from HMRC relating to a:
When HMRC makes a decision, they’ll send you a letter explaining it. This letter will also tell you if you have the right to appeal.
You may be able to request HMRC cancel the tax you owe if you believe that HMRC didn’t take action based on information provided by you, your employer, or the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), and the tax demand is based on incorrect information.
You may have the right to appeal against a tax decision from HMRC. They’ll tell you if you can.
How you appeal a tax decision from HMRC depends on whether it relates to direct or indirect tax.
HMRC usually impose penalties if they assess a taxpayer’s behaviour as careless or deliberate, with the latter usually coming with significantly heavier penalties.
You can appeal HMRC penalties in the same way as tax decisions. In penalty cases, the burden of proof is on HMRC to prove deliberate or careless behaviour.
If you have received a penalty for deliberate or careless behaviour, it’s a good idea to get advice to better understand your situation and the strength of your appeal.
When HMRC finishes a tax investigation, they issue a closure notice. If you disagree with the findings of the closure notice, you have 30 days to appeal to the HMRC investigator, outlining the grounds for your appeals and requesting a postponement of the disputed tax payment.
Direct tax includes things like income tax, PAYE, corporation tax, Capital Gains Tax, National Insurance Contributions, and Inheritance tax.
If you want to appeal a decision on direct tax, your decision letter will provide instructions on how to do so and the deadline, which is usually within 30 days.
Typically, this involves using the appeal form provided with your decision letter. Alternatively, you can write to HMRC at the address mentioned in the letter or the relevant HMRC office.
When you appeal a direct tax decision with HMRC, your case will be reviewed by a case worker. If the decision remains unchanged, you can have your case reviewed by someone not involved in the initial decision and you may receive a review offer. You can accept this or appeal to the tax tribunal.
Indirect tax includes VAT, excise duty, customs duty, and environmental taxes.
If you want to appeal an indirect tax decision, HMRC will offer a review in your decision letter. You can accept the review or appeal to the tax tribunal within 30 days from the decision date.
It’s important to note that if your case involves direct tax, you have to appeal to HMRC first before taking the matter to the tax tribunal.
When you’re in a dispute with HMRC, an independent internal review is often the first step in resolving the issue. As HMRC is required to respond to requests for an internal review within specific timeframes, it can be a relatively fast way of resolving HMRC disputes.
During the process, an HMRC officer who wasn’t part of the original decision will review your case and decide whether the original decision aligns with the law and HMRC guidelines.
If negotiations don’t settle an HMRC dispute, Alternative Dispute Resolution might be worth considering. It’s often a quicker and less expensive route compared with traditional litigation and can be used alongside tribunal applications.
The first-tier tax tribunal operates independently of HMRC and falls under the administration of the Tribunals Service. Its role is to assess appeals based on the facts presented and the legal arguments from both taxpayers and HMRC.
If HMRC disputes can’t be resolved through an independent review or ADR, you can take an appeal to the first-tier tax tribunal. However, appealing to the tribunal can be a lengthy process with additional costs involved. What’s more, there’s no guarantee that your appeal will be successful. Therefore, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons carefully.
Our network of money, tax, and debt lawyers can help you in making this decision.
Contact us today for a free case evaluation with our legal assessment specialists to find out more.
To appeal to the tribunal, you need to write to the Tribunals Service within 30 days of receiving the decision later from HMRC. Or, if you chose to have an independent review, 30 days from receiving the review conclusions letter.
You can do this through the appeal form on the Tribunals Service website or contact the Tribunals Service to request a copy of the form.
When the Tribunals Service receives your appeal form, they’ll either schedule a hearing to resolve your HMRC dispute or, in simpler cases, make a decision based on information provided by both parties without a hearing.
The most efficient way to resolve an HMRC dispute is to approach the process with an open mind, willing to cooperate, and (in some cases) compromise. You should also make sure you’re aware of all of the deadlines involved and respond to any communications in good time.
The strategy you take to resolve an HMRC dispute depends on your case. Sometimes, taking a matter to the tax tribunal isn’t the best course of action. Instead, it may be better to consider settlement. But this isn’t always the case and HMRC isn’t known for taking a soft approach to matters which can leave you feeling unsure of your position and intimidated.
If you find yourself in this position but believe your case is strong, then taking the matter to the tribunal may be the best course of action. It all depends on your situation.
A tax lawyer can explain the strength of your case and help you understand all the options available to you, so you can make a confident, informed decision.
If your dispute involves direct tax, you can request HMRC to delay collecting the disputed tax until the appeal is resolved, either by a settlement agreement or the tribunal. However, interest will still be added to any postponed or unpaid tax throughout the dispute.
Following the resolution of the dispute or the tribunal’s decision, you should pay the tax as per the circumstances.
For indirect tax disputes (except Customs matters), HMRC won’t collect the disputed tax during the independent review. However, you do have to pay the disputed tax before your case can be heard by the tribunal unless you make other arrangements with HMRC due to hardship.
Again, after the tribunal reaches a decision, you have to pay any tax due as per their decision. HMRC will reimburse any amounts owed to you in line with the tribunal decision, plus applicable interest.
You don’t need a solicitor to prepare and send an appeal to HMRC, but it may be worth your time and money to seek legal advice from a money, tax, and debt specialist.
HMRC disputes can be complex and a lawyer can help you understand all the relevant points and support you in presenting a strong case with the best chances of success.
The independent review process usually takes around three to six months to complete. If you do not agree with the outcome of the independent review, you then have another 30 days to notify the tax tribunal of your appeal.
Should you take your case to the tax tribunal, many things may affect how long it takes to complete. Straightforward matters could take around six to 12 months, but it could take longer for more complex cases.
At Lawhive, our expert network of tax lawyers consists of licensed solicitors who specialise in various legal areas.
Whether you’re facing an HMRC dispute or need guidance on tax matters, we’re here to help quickly for affordable fixed fees. Our network of lawyers has extensive experience in HMRC disputes and can provide you with clear advice on your best options and the steps to take.
Contact us today using our quick and easy online form to book a case evaluation with our Legal Assessment Specialists and get a free no-obligation quote personalised to your circumstances.
With straightforward pricing - so you know exactly what to expect at every step.
