Many advisers will be concerned that due to the current lock-down conditions, they do not know what is happening with their ongoing investigation cases. Markel Tax has complied a helpful summary for advisers and their clients.
-
In situations where agents are in email correspondence with HMRC officers, the case officer should continue correspondence electronically and send copies of any statutory notices via email to the agent as well as by post to the client.
-
The majority of HMRC officers should be able to correspond electronically with agents, providing the agent agrees to HMRC’s email protocol.
-
In situations where their usual offices are in lock-down and they are unable to visit them, agents need to make clients aware that they do not have access to HMRC mail and so anything a client receives directly should, where possible, be passed on.
-
If there is any concern around whether or not mail has been sent to a closed agent’s office, call HMRC and discuss provision by email or an alternative address.
-
Where any deadlines have been missed as a result of the inability to access post, late appeals under the ‘reasonable excuse’ provisions should be made, but remember that under those provisions, failures should be rectified as soon as the excuse ceases to apply.