Protecting you from the unexpected: Kreston Reeves Tax Investigation Service

Receiving a letter from HMRC can be an unsettling experience for any taxpayer. Even when your tax affairs are fully in order, enquiries are increasingly common and can arise for a wide range of reasons – sometimes simply due to routine checks or random selection.

At Kreston Reeves, we offer our Tax Investigation Service to provide clients with reassurance, expert support, and financial protection should HMRC open an enquiry into your tax affairs.

Why consider tax investigation protection?

HMRC continues to increase its focus on compliance and closing the tax gap, meaning more individuals, trusts and businesses are coming under scrutiny.

Importantly:

• Anyone who submits a tax return can be selected for review
• Enquiries are often triggered by data analysis, but others are selected at random
• Many investigations do not imply wrongdoing

However, what many people do not realise is that the cost of handling an enquiry can be significant, even where no additional tax is ultimately payable. Professional fees to respond to HMRC can quickly run into thousands of pounds due to the time and expertise required.

How our Tax Investigation Service helps

Our Tax Investigation Service is designed to remove both the financial burden and stress of dealing with HMRC.

Key benefits include:

Cover for professional fees
Our fees for handling most types of HMRC enquiries and investigations are covered, from the first contact through to resolution (subject to terms).

Expert representation from advisors who know you
Unlike some policies, we continue to act for you directly throughout the process, ensuring continuity and the benefit of our in-depth understanding of your affairs.

Wide-ranging support
The service covers many types of HMRC activity, including:

• Full and aspect enquiries
• VAT and PAYE checks
• “Nudge letters” and compliance reviews

Peace of mind
With protection in place, you can be confident that you won’t face unexpected professional costs, allowing you to focus on running your business or managing your personal affairs.

An increasingly important safeguard

Tax enquiries can take months or even years to resolve, and often involve detailed requests for information and ongoing correspondence with HMRC.

As HMRC continues to expand its use of data and analytics, the likelihood of enquiry activity remains high. This makes having a robust defence strategy, and the right professional support in place, more important than ever.

2025/26 Renewal: Extended 15-month cover for the price of 12

This year, we have introduced a one-off 15-month subscription period, rather than the usual 12 months, but our fees remain at the level they would have been for a 12-month period.

This provides extended cover with no interruption and additional value for clients during the transition period.

A small cost for valuable protection

Like any form of protection, it’s something you hope you’ll never need, but when an enquiry arises, clients are often relieved to have the service in place.

The cost of defending an enquiry without protection can far exceed the annual subscription, making it a practical and valuable safeguard for individuals, trustees and businesses.

To learn more about the Tax Investigation Service, to take advantage of a 15-month subscription for the price of 12, or to discuss your cover, please speak to your usual Kreston Reeves contact or visit here.