Tax Enquiry Fee Protection Service

Insurance-backed protection. Professional representation. Total peace of mind.

What is our Tax Enquiry Fee Protection Service?

Our Tax Enquiry Fee Protection Service is an insurance-backed service that protects you and your business from the professional fees we incur on your behalf if HMRC opens an enquiry, compliance check, visit or investigation into your tax affairs.

HMRC enquiries can be time-consuming, intrusive and stressful. Even where everything is correct and no additional tax is due, the cost of professional representation can quickly run into thousands of pounds.

This service means those costs are covered, allowing you to focus on running your business and managing your personal affairs, without worrying about unexpected accountancy fees.

The policy runs on an annual basis and provides cover of up to £100,000 per claim, with no excess.

Why might you need Tax Enquiry Fee Protection?

HMRC has wide-ranging powers and increasing access to third-party data, including information from banks, property records, digital platforms and payment providers. As a result, any tax return can be selected for review.

Being selected for an enquiry does not mean you’ve done anything wrong. Many investigations:

are entirely random
arise from minor inconsistencies
form part of sector-wide HMRC campaigns
are triggered by automated data matching

Regardless of the outcome, you remain responsible for the professional fees involved in dealing with HMRC. Enquiries can last months or even years, requiring detailed responses, meetings and ongoing correspondence.

By engaging us from the outset, we can:

respond accurately and robustly on your behalf
limit disruption to your business or personal finances
help bring matters to a timely conclusion

Tax Enquiry Fee Protection removes the financial uncertainty from that process.

What does the service cover?

Our Tax Enquiry Fee Protection Service provides insurance-backed professional representation for HMRC enquiries, compliance checks and investigations relating to:

Corporation Tax
Income Tax & Self-Assessment
PAYE and National Insurance
VAT (including VAT visits)
Construction Industry Scheme (CIS)
IR35
Capital Gains Tax
Stamp Duty Land Tax
P11Ds and benefits in kind
Employer compliance visits and checks of employer records
National Minimum Wage
Gift Aid legislation
Inheritance Tax
Child Tax Credits
HMRC information and inspection powers under Schedule 36

Cover applies whether or not a dispute has yet arisen.

Key features

£100,000 fee indemnity per claim
No excess
Professional representation by us
Insurance-backed protection

What’s included beyond HMRC enquiries?

In addition to HMRC enquiry and investigation cover, the service also gives you access to My Business Hub – an online compliance and support platform designed to help you grow, manage and protect your business with confidence.

My Business Hub brings together trusted guidance, practical tools and expert support across key operational risk areas, helping you stay compliant and make informed decisions as your business evolves.

Through the platform, you have access to:

Unlimited telephone support from UK-based specialists across HR, employment law and health & safety
A library of up-to-date policies, contracts and compliant documents, all downloadable and ready to use
Clear guidance on topics such as absence management, termination, maternity and family leave, flexible working, staff handbooks, fire safety, DSE and manual handling
Regular updates to help you stay on top of regulatory change and best practice

This support is designed to reduce risk before problems arise, complementing the financial protection offered by the Tax Enquiry Fee Protection Service.

All access is included at no additional cost.

Who the service is for

Who can benefit from Tax Enquiry Fee Protection?

Our service is available to:

Private clients
Including individuals with rental income of up to £50,000.

Sole traders and self-employed individuals
Including those with rental income over £50,000.

Limited companies and partnerships
With an annual turnover of up to £25 million*.

Larger businesses
With an annual turnover of more than £25 million*.

* Where Ward Williams acts as the tax return agent for directors, partners or company secretaries (including spouses or civil partners), the business fee also covers their personal tax returns at no extra cost, provided annual gross rental income is below £50,000 and there is no self-employment income. Otherwise, an additional Sole Trader fee will apply.

Why arrange cover now?

HMRC enquiries typically relate to returns already submitted. Once an enquiry has started, it is too late to put cover in place.

Arranging Tax Enquiry Fee Protection now ensures:

future HMRC enquiries are covered
professional fees don’t become an unexpected burden
you have expert representation from day one

It’s a simple, cost-effective way to protect yourself against a risk that applies to everyone, not just those who have made mistakes.

Why Tax Enquiry Fee Protection matters

Case Studies

The examples below illustrate the types of HMRC enquiries that can arise, and how they are typically handled in practice. They highlight why professional representation and protection against the associated fees, can be so important.

A lengthy tax enquiry with no errors found

HMRC opened a full enquiry into a client’s tax return. Over an extended period, HMRC made repeated requests for detailed information and supporting documentation, each requiring careful review, formal responses and ongoing correspondence.

The enquiry lasted for a significant length of time and was ultimately closed with no amendments made and no additional tax due. Despite the positive outcome, the professional time required to manage the enquiry from start to finish was substantial.

Because Tax Enquiry Fee Protection was in place, the client was able to rely on our full professional support throughout, without concern about the accumulating cost of representation.

A routine VAT visit that required further follow-up

A VAT inspection was arranged at a client’s premises, requiring professional representation at the meeting. During the visit, HMRC raised questions around record-keeping and data storage processes.

Although the visit did not result in penalties or assessments, additional work was required after the inspection to respond to HMRC and advise the client on improvements to systems and procedures.

Tax Enquiry Fee Protection ensured the client could take a measured, well-supported approach, with all necessary professional work handled on their behalf.

A CIS enquiry that led to a positive outcome

HMRC opened an enquiry into a construction company’s Construction Industry Scheme (CIS) payments. The enquiry ran for several months and involved detailed analysis and ongoing communication with HMRC.

The matter was resolved successfully, resulting in a favourable outcome for the client. Throughout the process, professional representation was essential in managing HMRC’s requests and protecting the client’s position.

Having Tax Enquiry Fee Protection in place meant the client could focus on running their business, knowing the enquiry was being dealt with thoroughly and efficiently.

“Nudge letters” an early HMRC contact that still requires action

HMRC increasingly uses “nudge letters” to prompt taxpayers to review specific areas before a formal enquiry is opened. While not full investigations, these letters still require careful consideration and professional input.

In one case relating to property disposals, no amendments were ultimately required. However, responding appropriately still involved reviewing the position, preparing explanations and corresponding with HMRC.

Tax Enquiry Fee Protection covered the professional time involved, reinforcing that even early-stage HMRC contact can carry a real and often unexpected impact.

Frequently asked questions

Does a tax enquiry mean I’ve done something wrong?
No. Many HMRC enquiries are routine or random. Even where no errors are found, professional representation is still required throughout the process.

Can I take out cover once HMRC has contacted me?
No. Cover must be in place before HMRC opens an enquiry or compliance check.

Are professional fees covered even if no tax is due?
Yes. Fees are covered regardless of the outcome, up to the agreed policy limit.

How long does the policy run for?
The service operates on an annual basis. The service period runs from May 2025 to April 2026. Renewal terms and pricing for the following year apply from May 2026.