SDLT claims firms leave Taxpayers in the lurch
With the abolition of Multiple Dwelling Relief on 1 June 2024 came the departure of a number of SDLT claims firms who had previously been a driving force behind amendments to SDLT returns claiming the relief.
HMRC not slowing down
Despite the abolition of the relief HMRC have continued to issue compliance checks in this area meaning that there are a number of Taxpayers who could have received a notice of compliance check only to find that their agent is no longer around to help them.
A compliance check can be a very stressful and worrying process and without the professional support of their agent, a taxpayer could feel that they have no option but to withdraw their claim and repay the refund. This could also mean that they are financially worse off having paid their agent to submit the return on their behalf.
HMRC are not always right!
Whilst we appreciate how unnerving a compliance check can be, the fact you have received one does not mean that HMRC do not agree with your amendment. Your return was either of a type or value that caused it to considered a higher risk of containing an error or was simply selected at random. There will of course be occasions when HMRC will disagree with a Taxpayer’s calculation of SDLT but they do also get it wrong!
Relatus can help
Relatus are extremely experienced in dealing with compliance checks both in relation to returns we have submitted and for clients who have come to us from a different advisor who has been unable to assist them.
We deal with the whole process from the initial compliance response right through to representation at the Tax Tribunal. Read our most recent 1st Tier Tax Tribunal appeal here
We have also resolved many compliance checks with HMRC agreeing our position without an appeal to the Tax Tribunal being necessary, or withdrawing from appeals when they realised that they had no prospect of defending their unreasonable position.
Let Relatus take the stress and time involved in dealing with a compliance check out of your hands and provide you with professional advice and support at what can be a very difficult time.
