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Where Taxpayers and Advisers Meet

How far back can HMRC dig into my records?

CaptA
Posts:4
Joined:Wed Jun 26, 2019 7:06 pm
How far back can HMRC dig into my records?

Postby CaptA » Wed Jun 26, 2019 7:13 pm

I'm a US based online seller who is registered for VAT since it was a requirement for non-UK based companies. I'm a low volume seller, a hobby seller you might say, and opted for the flat rate scheme (FRS) for simplicity.

Recently HMRC has contacted me with regards to "online compliance". I've been submitting the reports they have requested, but once they realized i was on the FRS they are now demanding invoices going back over a decade when i started selling in the UK.

Nothing in my reporting has been wrong. I'm confident my numbers are correct to the penny. There shouldn't be any reason to raise suspicion that i'm fiddling the numbers.

Can HMRC request documentation going back about 11 years in a situation like this? This seems unreasonable and rather excessive. I know they can go back 20 years under certain circumstances but this situation doesn't seem to meet that criteria?

If they are not allowed to go back that far without good reason, i'd appreciate it if someone could reference official documentation that i can go back at them with.

Thanks

pawncob
Posts:5090
Joined:Wed Aug 06, 2008 4:06 pm
Location:West Sussex

Re: How far back can HMRC dig into my records?

Postby pawncob » Thu Jun 27, 2019 11:56 am

https://www.accountingweb.co.uk/any-answers/how-far-back-can-hmrc-investigate-vat

https://medium.com/@google_5501/how-far-back-can-vat-inspection-go-e3a4da077f87
With a pinch of salt take what I say, but don't exceed your RDA

kingmaker
Posts:8
Joined:Tue Feb 11, 2014 3:14 am

Re: How far back can HMRC dig into my records?

Postby kingmaker » Thu Jul 04, 2019 12:20 am

Try this link as someone posted a similar question.

https://www.vatforum.co.uk/post/how-far-back-can-hmrc-go-in-a-tax-investigation-10143695?highlight=how+far+back&pid=1308950345
I'm looking for VAT advisory work & subcontracting work from accountants


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