Is There a Time Limit for HMRC Investigations?

Why would HMRC open an enquiry against you? And how long can an HMRC enquiry go back? This article answers those questions and more about HMRC tax investigations

What is the time limit for HMRC to open an enquiry?

HMRC can open a full enquiry into a tax return if they give notice to the taxpayer and do so within the time limit. The time limit allowed is basically 12 months from when the return was filed, if that occurred on or before the filing date (the 31st January following the end of the tax year on 5 April).

What will HMRC be looking for during an enquiry?

The tax investigation into the return can vary from concentrating on a single entry in the return because it looks wrong, looking at the deductibility of various expenses shown in the profit and loss figures, e.g. section 24 interest claimed by landlords, through to an in-depth review of the taxpayer’s tax and financial affairs sometimes known in the trade as a “drains-up investigation”.

How many years can HMRC go back into an investigation?

Once an enquiry has been opened into your tax affairs, the HMRC have 4 years from the end of the tax year concerned to issue a discovery assessment.

If they can show that a loss of tax has been brought about carelessly or deliberately (i.e. dishonestly) by the taxpayer or his agent, then they can issue a “discovery assessment” for the missing tax.

The rules about discovery assessments are complicated, but basically, the normal four year period is extended to six years where the taxpayer has been careless, and 20 years if he has been dishonest.

How does the HMRC obtain the information to support a discovery assessment?

HMRC use their information gathering powers in Schedule 36, Finance Act 2008 to support their investigation. The important point to note is that no time limits apply to how far back HMRC can request information.

So what are the practical limits on how far back HMRC can get information?

Because Schedule 36, FA 2008 does not lay down effective time limits, the courts and tribunals have developed a principle that before HMRC can force a taxpayer to hand over information that is more than four years old, HMRC must show that they have an arguable case that the entries on the tax return were either careless (up to 6 years then allowed) or dishonest (up to 20 years then allowed): see Hegarty [2018] UKFTT 774 (TC) and Brannigan [2006] EWHC 885 (Admin) quoted in Hegarty.

In other words, HMRC cannot go on fishing expeditions if they suspect that the correct amount of tax may not have been paid more than four years ago. In order for the taxpayer to be required to supply the information requested, HMRC must first show that they have a reasonable chance of being able to issue a discovery assessment for that tax within the time limits allowed.

For example, if there has not been any dishonesty, they would not be able to issue an assessment going back more than six years anyway, so there is no point in requiring the taxpayer to provide such information.

If you have received an enquiry or investigation from HMRC, contact Patrick Cannon today to get professional advice and representation against HM Revenue and Customs.