FAQ: How can I get help from the Revenue Adjudicator’s Office or the Ombudsman?

September 9th, 2009

“The Adjudicator acts as a fair and unbiased referee looking into complaints about HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), including the Tax Credit Office (TCO), and the Valuation Office Agency (VOA)”; according to their website. The Adjudicator will investigate and help to resolve complaints from individuals and businesses who are still unhappy about the way their affairs have been handled; after the Revenue’s own complaints team have dealt with it and have received a final response from them.
The Revenue Adjudicator can deal with complaints regarding HMRC administration.  This includes excessive delays in processing tax claims, errors made and discourtesy to taxpayers.  The Revenue Adjudicator does not deal with: technical tax disputes (which can be dealt with by the Tax Tribunal); complaints that have already been investigated by the Parliamentary Ombudsman; or matters relating to a criminal prosecution, during the course of legal proceedings.
The Revenue Adjudicator will normally only get involved after HMRC have had the opportunity to sort out the problem using its internal complaints procedures.  But exceptionally they may help you sooner, e.g. if delay could cause you or your business irreparable damage.
The Parliamentary Ombudsman can also help with complaints against HMRC in procedural matters, e.g. if there has been: avoidable delay; failure to give appropriate advice; failure to follow proper procedures.  The Ombudsman cannot investigate complaints about tax policy or tax legislation.  Complaints to the Parliamentary Ombudsman have to be referred by your MP; so approach your MP first, but preferably after you have exhausted the Revenue’s own complaint process and after the Adjudicator has looked into it.  Even though cases that reach the Ombudsman may already have been rejected by the Revenue and the Adjudicator, nevertheless many people are successful in their appeals to the Ombudsman.

If you have a dispute with the taxman and you feel they have behaved improperly or unfairly then in some cases it can be worth making a formal complaint.    Where worthwhile sums are involved it’s always sensible to engage skilled and experienced tax advisers to prepare your case and fight your corner.  Lynam Tax Enquiry Experts have helped many clients who were aggrieved with how the taxman was dealing with them – and we have frequently been able to bring about a positive outcome.

Call today for a confidential, discreet discussion with our experienced Tax Investigation Specialists.
Call Paul Lynam now on 0845 643 9997