Tax Litigation Solicitors in Birmingham and Northampton
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If you are involved in a tax dispute with the HMRC, our expert tax litigation lawyers can advise you on how to resolve the issue as quickly and efficiently as possible. Whether you are under investigation, facing tribunal action or are concerned about legal compliance and international tax law matters, the Witan Solicitors teams will be able to guide and support you with decades of legal experience under our belt.
As a successful law firm recognised by the Legal 500, here at Witan we are committed to providing exceptional quality services. To achieve this we have built a dedicated team of commercially-minded tax lawyers who specialise in resolving complex tax disputes. Whether you have a high net worth, an owner-managed business, a trust or own a large corporation, we will help you achieve a positive outcome, both in civil and criminal litigation.
Not to mention, we have a proven track record of advising on a range of commercial tax issues, including those arising from claims against an adviser due to negligence, as well as financial institutions responsible for structured planning.
Our specialist tax solicitors have been working with clients across the UK for over 10 years making us a widely recognised tax law firm nationwide. During this time, we have successfully advised individuals and corporate clients ranging from large businesses to non-profit organisations, which gives us a unique insight into the range of options available when dealing with tax litigation.
If you need legal advice on tax-related disputes, speak to one of our tax litigation solicitors in Birmingham today on info@witansolicitors.co.uk
Tax Disputes & Litigation Experts
Tax disputes and litigation is a very specialised area of UK tax law that we navigate with knowledge and expertise. When you are involved in a contentious legal matter, whether you are under investigation or you want to raise a claim against a third party, you will find the reliable legal support you are after at Witan Solicitors.
Our tax dispute resolution specialists can help you with:
- Resolving tax disputes with HMRC
- Legal representation in Tribunals and High Courts
- Alternative dispute resolution
- Fraud investigations
- Negligence actions against tax advisors
- Reducing tax liability in business restructuring
- Shareholder tax issues from share buybacks to income tax for shareholders
- Direct and indirect tax litigation
- Tax resolution
If you don’t have adequate legal representation when facing tax disputes and litigation, this could result in heavy penalties and even criminal charges. So, if you are in disagreement with HMRC about your tax situation, please don’t hesitate to contact our specialist tax dispute lawyers in Birmingham..
Types of Disputes We Can Advise On
Our tax specialists have extensive experience advising on:
- Capital gains tax
- Corporation tax
- Income tax
- Inheritance tax
- National insurance contributions
- PAYE tax
Additional Expertise
We can also advise on disputes involving:
- Car benefit schemes
- Employee benefit trusts
- Employee bonus schemes
- Film fund schemes
- Employer-financed retirement benefit schemes
- Enterprise investment schemes
- Share loss relief schemes
- Stamp duty land tax schemes
- Tax reliefs – including disincorporation relief, enterprise relief, incorporation relief, marginal relief, roll-over relief and terminal loss relief
Accelerated Payment Notice
If you receive a tax advantage from participating in a tax avoidance scheme and the scheme has been declared under Disclosure of Tax Avoidance Schemes, the Finance Act 2014 allows HMRC to issue an accelerated payment notice (APN), even before a conclusion is reached on the legitimacy of the scheme.
If you receive an APN, it is crucial to seek legal advice at the earliest opportunity.
Corporate Tax Law Experts
Working with Witan, you can be confident that any tax disputes and litigation involving your business are handled by experts in the field. We approach complex tax law disputes with a commercially focused mindset and we offer practical legal advice stripped of the confusing legal jargon to ensure you have a clear understanding of the application of UK tax law in your case.
Our in-depth knowledge of financial and corporate law allows us to support you with out-of-the-box resolution strategies to legal disputes over tax concerning the HMRC, as well as businesses, shareholders and directors. We are trained in using alternative dispute resolution, such as mediation and negotiation, and we can confidently represent you in court, if necessary.
Why Choose Witan Solicitors?
At Witan Solicitors, we have a team of experienced tax dispute solicitors who assist corporate and private clients in resolving challenging tax law disputes.
Since 2014, our specialist tax lawyers have represented clients in many high-profile cases brought before tax tribunals and have even advised on complex tax disputes and confidential settlements with HMRC. Our expertise extends to tax relief claims, complex research and development, fraud enquiries under Codes of Practice 8 and 9, as well as portfolio settlements for businesses and individuals.
Our commercially-minded solicitors do more than just provide legal advice. We will help you address the practical, commercial and strategic issues that can arise from tax disputes, minimising the potential impact on your business.
We are commercially minded and we offer our clients a number of benefits, including:
- Established tax law firm since 2014
- Recognised by Legal 500
- Tax dispute & litigation experts
- Trained alternative dispute resolution lawyers
- Clear, jargon-free advice
Meet The Team
Combined, our team of commercial solicitors have the skills and expertise to successfully handle a range of tax disputes. Read their team profiles to learn more about their qualifications and achievements.
Qarrar Somji
Solicitor-Advocate
Qarrar qualified as a Solicitor Advocate in 2014 having previously had experience in a varying range of litigation roles. He graduated with a Masters in Commercial Law from the University of Birmingham in 2009 writing his thesis on Employer’s Liability for Work Related Stress.
Ada Chu
Assistant Solicitor
Ada is an Assistant Solicitor at Witan Solicitors. She joined the firm as a Litigation Executive in August 2020, became a Trainee Solicitor in 2021 and qualified as a Solicitor in 2023.
Ada works across the full breadth of litigation work at Witan Solicitors with a particular focus on commercial and civil litigation. Ada has led and assisted with various high-value disputes for both individuals and companies, including shareholder and director disputes, breach of directors’ duties, partnership disputes, Insurance disputes, joint venture disputes, construction disputes, insolvency disputes among others.
Aliya Abid
Assistant Solicitor
Aliya completed her LLB, LPC and LLM at Birmingham City University from 2017 to 2021. She joined Witan Solicitors as a Litigation Executive in March 2022 and has experience in Family Law, Civil Law and Employment Law. Aliya is now a Trainee Solicitor at the firm.
Aliya advises on all aspects of family law, guiding clients to the best outcomes. When representing clients in separation, divorce and related matters, Aliya can advise on financial settlement agreements as well as child related matters.
Funding
We understand that our clients want to achieve the best possible outcome at an affordable price. That is why we provide a range of funding options.
Our Awards
We are immensely proud of the Commercial team, whose outstanding work has been recognised by SME News and APAC Insider.
Contact Us
Witan Solicitors has tax litigation solicitors based in London, Birmingham and Northampton so we are conveniently positioned to take on clients across the UK. If you need legal advice on a tax law matter, national or international, speak to a member of our team info@witansolicitors.co.uk for an initial, no-obligation consultation.
FAQ
What happens during an HMRC tax investigation?
There are three types of investigations carried out by HMRC:
- Section 9A enquiries – Section 9A of the Taxes Management Act 1970 allows HMRC to investigate any self-assessment tax return. Generally, these are conducted through written communication
- Code of Practice 8 Investigations – If HMRC suspects tax avoidance or minor fraud, HMRC will conduct a series of informal meetings and correspondence with you to identify any unpaid tax
- Code of Practice 9 Investigations – If HMRC suspects serious fraud but has not started a criminal investigation, they will ask you to provide a detailed report on your tax affairs, as well as anything you have done that may have caused irregularities.
Once the value for any unpaid tax has been determined, negotiations will begin regarding the penalty payment. HMRC will take into account your conduct before and during the investigation. But generally, the penalty will be lower if you cooperate.
Will my case go to court?
If you have not committed a serious offence, your case will not go to court as long as you can reach an agreement on the amount of unpaid tax and penalty you should pay. If you cannot reach an agreement, you can appeal HRMC’s decision and begin litigation.
For serious offences, HMRC may start a criminal investigation and you may have to go to court.
No matter what type of tax dispute you are involved in, it is always wise to seek advice from a specialist in this area. Call us on 0300 303 2071 or email us at info@witansolicitors.co.uk.
What if I am unhappy with the outcome of HRMC’s investigation?
If you disagree with HMRC’s decision, you can request an internal review that will be carried out by an impartial HMRC officer.
If you are still unsatisfied, you can appeal the decision in a tribunal or civil court.
If the court decides that you have underpaid, you will receive a deadline to pay the difference between your tax calculations and HMRC’s, plus interest and a penalty payment. In some cases, they may allow you to make payments in instalments. However, if you fail to make payments, you may face prosecution.
Which offences can lead to criminal prosecution?
Serious tax avoidance and fraud offences can lead to criminal prosecution, including:
- Cheating the public revenue
- Income tax evasion
- Money laundering
- Providing false information or documents to HMRC
- Smuggling or fraudulent evasion of indirect taxes on imported goods
- VAT evasion
What additional penalties can I face?
Depending on the type of tax litigation, you may face:
- Civil penalties – HMRC will negotiate a monetary penalty with you based on the amount of unpaid tax, whether the missed payment was deliberate and how cooperative you have been
- Criminal penalties – On top of having to pay unpaid tax, a criminal prosecution can result in imprisonment, a fine or both. In some cases, you may be ordered to pay the prosecution’s costs. If you are convicted of money laundering, your possessions may be confiscated under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 and the Money Laundering Regulations 2017
Qarrar Somji
Solicitor-Advocate
Qarrar qualified as a Solicitor Advocate in 2014 having previously had experience in a varying range of litigation roles.
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