Whether you have an IR35, VAT or cross-border tax dispute, our legal and tax experts are ready to support you.
Tax disputes
Resolving your HMRC tax disputes
ForrestBrown offers expert, end-to-end support for resolving tax disputes efficiently, reducing stress and disruption.
We combine deep technical expertise with a pragmatic, client-first approach. This empowers your business to navigate complex tax challenges confidently – prioritising timely, cost-effective resolutions that protect your key interests.
Our team can help you navigate a range of HMRC disputes. Whatever the trigger, our track record in resolving HMRC disputes means that we are uniquely qualified to support you with:
- Objective case review
- Commercially aligned dispute strategy
- Day-to-day dispute management
HMRC dispute resolution
At ForrestBrown, we’re passionate about helping you to achieve the right outcome for your business. That’s why our team works collaboratively with you to ensure an effective and commercially aligned resolution to tax disputes with HMRC.
We’re also pragmatic. We recognise that there can often be a tension between defending every detail at each stage, and a swift and cost-efficient resolution that protects the most important aspects of your case.
Our team understands that navigating a tax dispute involves managing multiple stakeholders and working to tight deadlines – especially during a compliance check or Tribunal proceedings. ForrestBrown will take on the heavy lifting and reduce the day-to-day impact on your team, managing communications with all relevant stakeholders.
Options for resolution
There will often be a range of strategies available to achieve a resolution both during the enquiry or following an appeal. We will discuss these with you and give practical recommendations on next steps.
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1
Alternative dispute resolution
Bringing you together with a HMRC caseworker to discuss the dispute and help break the deadlock.
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2
Requesting a statutory review
Asking for a review from an independent officer of HMRC who has not been involved in the enquiry process.
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3
Liaising with HMRC to mitigate penalties
Taking the lead on the case with HMRC to ensure that any penalties are proportionate.
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4
Escalating the case through HMRC’s complaints channels
We will correspond directly with HMRC to ensure that it upholds the standards set out in its Charter and recover costs where appropriate.
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5
Taking the case to Tribunal
If the dispute cannot be resolved within the enquiry process or through ADR, appealing to the Tribunal could be an option. We have a strong track record at Tribunal and won the first case on a point of law relating to R&D tax relief.
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Whichever route we advise, our priority is to ensure that you feel empowered and in control at each stage of the process. This gives you the confidence that important deadlines will be met and risk mitigated.
HMRC ADR: alternative dispute resolution
Sometimes adopting a fresh approach will unlock the deadlock and bring the dispute to a close. Mediation can be the ideal solution, giving parties the space and time to discuss the issues in person. In contrast with other forms of dispute resolution such as Tribunal, mediation can also be a more cost-effective option.
It may be appropriate where you’ve put a strong case forward but are struggling to reach a resolution, or as a way of avoiding the stress and time of a Tribunal. It may also suit disputes that rely heavily on facts, rather than those that challenge HMRC policy.
ForrestBrown will help you prepare for the mediation by providing any supporting documentation to HMRC in advance and advising you on the day. We will only recommend a settlement if it is in your strategic and commercial interest.
Our experts
Our team of legal and tax experts will give you strategic advice, providing the perfect blend of skills to help resolve your dispute.
James Dudbridge LLB
Director
James is a tax lawyer who leads our tax advisory practice. He has extensive experience of dealing with HMRC and brings incisive insights to tax disputes, developing commercially effective strategies for clients. He successfully led ForrestBrown’s support for Quinn (London) Limited in a landmark Tribunal case in 2021.
Jayne Stokes FCA
Associate Director
Jayne is a senior adviser in FB Consulting and, as a former Big Four director, has considerable experience of advising businesses on tax disputes. She plays a key role in assessing and managing tax risk and leads client relationships with HMRC.
Phil Smith CTA
Technical Lead
Phil has a wealth of experience in managing HMRC disputes, which he draws on to advise clients. He has supported businesses using a variety of dispute resolution mechanisms, always ensuring that the legal process is clearly explained. Phil has been quoted in Financial Times coverage of HMRC’s handling of tax disputes.
Contact ForrestBrown
To speak with us in confidence about your situation and how our specialist team can help you, get in touch.
- Telephone
- 0117 926 9022
- hello@forrestbrown.co.uk
What our clients say
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We are absolutely delighted with the result. It has been a long journey but working so closely with the ForrestBrown team gave us confidence that our hard work would eventually pay off.
Seamus Quinn
Managing Director,
Quinn (London) Limited
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Everything was clearly articulated at each stage, including the intricacies of the law and how it applied to our case. The previous case that ForrestBrown was successful in taking to Tribunal – Quinn – was directly relevant to ours and it was helpful to be able to draw on the experience gained from it.
Sam Coleman
Managing Director,
AIS
Tax disputes FAQs
There are many questions to consider when dealing with a tax dispute. These are some of the common themes that we get asked as an adviser:
Where there is a compelling reason, yes. It may be that HMRC has got something wrong, or that you have a good case, but have been poorly advised. Whatever the scenario, it’s important to consult an expert that can offer appropriate advice.
In short, no. As a taxpayer, you have rights and exercising those when appropriate is important. You won’t be prejudiced as a result.
Tax disputes can be lengthy and costly. Certain elements, such as Tribunals, are public and carry with them reputational risk. As a result, it’s important to know the right course of action for you and to be prepared.
It’s important not to miss a deadline. If you miss a deadline and the case goes to Tribunal, the court has discretion over whether to accept the evidence. It can immediately place you on the back foot.