HMRC keeps criminal investigations for cases they want as a deterrent, or where they say the conduct is too serious for a civil penalty. A specialist criminal team inside the Fraud Investigation Service runs them. They still want the tax and interest. Instead of a financial penalty they seek a conviction.
Falsified documents, false statements, conspiracy, organised crime, organised tax-credit fraud and missing-trader VAT (including carousel fraud) are typical. People in a position of trust — accountants, solicitors, doctors — are more likely to be selected for prosecution for the same underlying facts. These cases follow PACE: cautioned recorded interviews, and often searches of business and home.
FIS civil team
FIS also has a civil team, used where a prosecution is not taken forward but they still want a financial settlement. A letter from FIS, civil or criminal, needs specialist advice the same week. We have moved cases out of the criminal frame where the facts did not match the original allegation. If charges remain, we work with a criminal solicitor who knows this work. We do not pretend to be your defence advocate in the Crown Court.
How Solaratax helps
We put the tax analysis, argue for a civil outcome where it is still open, and sit with your lawyer on the numbers. Do not attend a PACE interview without both.
Call 01615 314179 or email enquiries@solaratax.co.uk for a free, confidential discussion. We will not contact HMRC in your name until you instruct us to act.
Questions we are asked
Related investigations
Tax fraud and tax evasion
The most serious civil cases — and the line between a financial settlement and a prosecution file.
Code of Practice 9 and the Contractual Disclosure Facility
Serious suspected fraud: admit and disclose under CDF, or deny — with a 60-day outline disclosure if you accept the CDF.
HMRC Fraud Investigation Service
FIS teams handle the highest-value civil fraud and avoidance cases — sometimes while another HMRC office appears to be writing the letters.
Talk to Solaratax
128 City Road, London, EC1V 2NX. 01615 314179. enquiries@solaratax.co.uk. Free, confidential, no obligation.
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