What would an HMRC enquiry cost you?
Professional fee cover, up to this limit
Our Fee Protection Service covers our fees for dealing with HMRC on your behalf, up to £100,000, for one simple annual fee.
Even a correct return can lead to questions.
HMRC opens thousands of enquiries every year, and some returns are selected entirely at random, even when everything has been done correctly.
When HMRC gets in touch, we deal with them on your behalf. That work is charged at our normal hourly rate.
A full enquiry can run to hundreds or even thousands of pounds in professional fees, even if HMRC finds nothing wrong.
What the Fee Protection Service covers
Our professional fees for dealing with HMRC are covered, up to £100,000, for:
Full enquiries into your tax return or accounts
Aspect enquiries into specific parts of a return
VAT disputes
PAYE and National Insurance disputes
Employment status and IR35 disputes
HMRC business inspections
VAT, PAYE and National Minimum Wage compliance visits
Up to £2,000
Informal HMRC letters and calls asking for clarification
Up to £2,000
IR35 status check letters
Up to £2,000
Gift Aid inspections for charities
Up to £2,000
Inheritance tax return queries, where we prepared the return
Up to £5,000
Code of Practice 8 investigations
Up to £5,000
More value for companies and partnerships
Limited companies and partnerships: the personal tax returns of directors, partners, their spouses and company secretaries are covered too, where we prepare them, at no extra cost.
Directors' cover does not extend to rental income over £50,000 a year or to other business activities.
Free legal helpline
Members can call a legal advisory helpline for guidance on employment, contracts, GDPR, commercial disputes and more, Monday to Friday, 8am to 6pm.
Simple annual pricing
Limited companies and partnerships
or £120 + VAT a year
- All prices are plus VAT.
- Membership runs to 31 October each year. The full annual fee applies whenever you join.
- Personal tax clients with rental income over £50,000 a year (before expenses) are charged at the sole trader rate.
Join. Send us the letter. Leave it with us.
Join the service
Join by completing the short form below. We'll confirm by email and add the fee to your next invoice.
Start with certainty
Your cover starts from the date we register you. Enquiries that start after that date are covered.
We take it from here
If HMRC contacts you, send us the letter. We deal with HMRC and you won't receive a bill for our time (within the cover limits).
Important to know
- Cover applies only to HMRC enquiries and disputes that begin after you join. Anything already known about before you joined is not covered.
- Returns and accounts must be filed no later than 90 days after the deadline for cover to apply.
- We must prepare the returns or accounts concerned.
- The service covers our professional fees. It does not pay any tax, interest or penalties HMRC may charge.
- Not covered: fraud investigations (Code of Practice 9), criminal prosecutions, tax credit enquiries, CIS disputes, domicile enquiries, and investigations involving dishonesty.
Membership terms
- Membership runs from the date you join to 31 October, then renews automatically each year on 1 November.
- We'll email you before each renewal. If you don't want to renew, simply let us know by the date given in that email.
- Membership is for the full year. If you pay monthly, you commit to the year; no refunds are given if you leave part-way through the year.
- The full annual fee applies whenever you join.
A few things you might be wondering.
Who provides the Fee Protection Service?
This is a service we provide. The Bean Counters holds its own policy to cover the cost of our time on HMRC enquiries, and your membership fee contributes to that.
Does it pay my tax bill or penalties?
No. It covers our professional fees for dealing with HMRC. Any tax, interest or penalties due are not covered.
I've already received a letter from HMRC. Can I join now?
You're welcome to join, but an enquiry that has already started, or that you already knew about, won't be covered. Speak to us about the current letter.
How do I pay?
We add the fee to your next invoice. Limited companies and partnerships can pay monthly or annually.
Can I cancel?
You can choose not to renew at each renewal date. Fees already paid for the current year aren't refundable.
What happens if HMRC writes to me?
Send us the letter as soon as you receive it. Don't reply to HMRC yourself first.
Join the Fee Protection Service
One simple annual fee. The same trusted team, here when you need us.
Keep your attention on what matters.
If HMRC has questions, we'll be by your side.