Start with the notice
Read the notice carefully and identify the tax, period, information requested and response date. Avoid assuming it covers every aspect of your affairs. Understanding the actual request is the first step towards a relevant, supported response.
Gather the records behind the figures
Gather the return or calculation concerned and the documents behind it. Keep copies of anything already sent to HMRC. If a figure cannot be traced, note the gap so it can be investigated rather than filled with an unsupported explanation.
Work through questions and responses
A response should address the questions asked and be consistent with the records. Discuss any uncertainty before sending additional information. If you have already replied, provide that history so the next step takes account of what HMRC has received.
After the enquiry
The outcome may identify a recordkeeping issue or a question about an earlier calculation. Keep the final correspondence and any agreed next actions with the relevant records. Improving that trail can make future accounting work easier to follow.
bookkeepingYour questions, answered.
What should I send first?
Start by sharing the nature of the letter and the response date. Agree a suitable way to provide the notice and supporting information.
Does an enquiry mean HMRC has found an error?
Not necessarily. An enquiry is a request to examine matters; the facts and the correspondence need to be reviewed.
Can an accountant help if I have already replied?
A discussion can still be useful. Bring copies of your replies and any subsequent HMRC correspondence.