HMRC enquiry support & dispute resolution
HMRC disputes.
A clear way forward.
An HMRC enquiry calls for a considered response, not just more correspondence. InnoFund brings senior tax, technical and mediation expertise to R&D, Patent Box, Capital Allowances and Land Remediation Relief disputes—helping you understand the position and take the next step with confidence.
- 30-minute first conversation
- Senior-led case strategy
- Support for existing enquiries
Experience under scrutiny
Specialists trusted
with difficult questions.
The enquiry and experience figures refer to Simba Mareverwa’s career, including previous roles. They are not a success-rate guarantee or a forecast for your dispute. The £300m+ figure is InnoFund’s published historic tax-benefit total across services, not a result for this service alone or a promise of outcome. Trustpilot covers the wider business and may change.
For directors, finance teams and advisers
Put the issue in context.
Put a plan in place.
A disputed claim can absorb management time and leave a business uncertain about what comes next. We start by identifying what HMRC is actually challenging, what the evidence supports and which deadlines need attention.
You get a clear assessment of the strengths, gaps and available routes. We can lead the response or work alongside your accountant or existing adviser, with a named senior specialist accountable for the engagement.
- Start with the letter
- Tell us what HMRC has sent, which relief is involved and the date of any response or appeal deadline.
- Understand the position
- We distinguish a request for information from a disputed decision, a penalty or a service complaint.
- Agree the strategy
- You understand the proposed work, responsibilities and fee basis before appointing us.
- Authorise representation
- We agree the scope and arrange the HMRC authority needed to correspond on your behalf.
Why InnoFund
The tax position.
The technical evidence.
One considered response.
Innovation and property disputes rarely turn on a tax calculation alone. The response may need to explain an engineering problem, substantiate an asset valuation or resolve a disagreement about the facts.
Tax analysis
Know what is being challenged.
We examine the relevant rules, HMRC’s reasoning and the position originally taken in the return.
Technical evidence
Give the facts proper weight.
Engineers, scientific specialists and property professionals help explain the work and supporting records.
Mediation
Make room for resolution.
Accredited mediation experience supports a focused dialogue and the assessment of ADR where appropriate.
Case strategy
Choose the right route.
We consider correspondence, statutory review, appeal and specialist legal support in the context of your objectives.
Independent advice, professional engagement. We understand HMRC’s processes and evidence requirements. We act for you; we are not part of HMRC and do not offer privileged access or a guaranteed outcome.
Where we can help
From the first question
to an established dispute.
You do not need to have made the original claim with InnoFund. We review enquiries at different stages and build the support around the issue, evidence and expertise required.
R&D tax relief enquiries
Technical eligibility, competent-professional evidence, qualifying costs and the consistency of the claim narrative.
Capital Allowances disputes
Asset classification, entitlement, fixtures, valuation and the supporting expenditure analysis.
Patent Box enquiries
Qualifying rights, relevant income, profit attribution, development expenditure and the nexus calculation.
Land Remediation Relief checks
Site condition, responsibility for contamination, qualifying works and cost evidence.
Penalties and disputed decisions
Review the decision, the behaviour alleged and the evidence relevant to any challenge or available reduction.
Stalled or complex enquiries
A fresh assessment of correspondence, unresolved factual issues and the options for moving the case forward.
Give us the starting point
The information
that brings the case into focus.
You do not need a perfectly organised file before getting in touch. Start with HMRC’s latest letter and any deadline. We then agree a proportionate request for the records needed to understand the case.
A booking does not extend an HMRC deadline. If one is close, say so when contacting us and continue to protect your position with your current adviser.
The latest HMRC correspondence
The letter, notice or decision tells us the issue, reference and stated response date.
The correspondence history
Earlier questions, replies and meetings help us see what has already been addressed.
The original claim
The return, tax computation and supporting report show the position that was submitted.
Technical and financial records
Project evidence, cost workings, contracts or surveys support the underlying facts.
The people involved
We identify who understands the work, which advisers are engaged and where specialist input may help.
Your objectives and constraints
The amount at stake, timetable and commercial priorities inform a proportionate strategy.
How we work
Understand the case.
Build the response.
Keep you informed.
We agree a clear engagement and explain the decisions as the case develops. Timescales depend on the issues, available evidence and HMRC’s response; we do not promise a fixed resolution date.
- 01
Triage the issue
Review the latest correspondence, live deadlines, relief and stage of enquiry.
- 02
Appoint the team
Agree the scope, fees and strategy, and put the necessary agent authority in place.
- 03
Test the position
Assess the rules, claim, evidence and HMRC’s concerns. Explain where the case is strong and where it needs work.
- 04
Prepare and present
Coordinate the technical and financial response, organise evidence and manage the agreed correspondence.
- 05
Resolve or escalate appropriately
Assess the outcome and options, including mediation, review or appeal, with specialist legal support where required.
Flexible support, clear responsibility
A fresh pair of eyes.
Or a team to take the lead.
We are a specialist partner for businesses, accountants and tax boutiques. You can retain the relationships that work and bring us in where the case needs additional expertise.
Initial assessment
A review of your position
Understand the issues and possible next steps before committing to a wider instruction.
Full representation
Manage the enquiry with us
We coordinate the agreed evidence and correspondence, with a senior-led strategy and regular updates.
Adviser collaboration
Specialist support behind your team
Bring in technical, property, tax or mediation expertise while your existing accountant or adviser remains involved.
An InnoFund-prepared claim
Check the support already included
Some full-service claims include enquiry defence. We check your original engagement first and explain the scope of any additional or separate work.
Resolution with commercial perspective
A firm position.
A proportionate route.
The aim is to resolve the right issues on the right basis. That can mean clarifying evidence, challenging an assumption or using an appropriate review or appeal route. Where communication or factual disagreement is the obstacle, we consider whether Alternative Dispute Resolution could help.
ADR is not a guaranteed settlement and does not remove the need to meet appeal deadlines. We assess the options against the facts, the stage of the case and what is commercially sensible for your business.
- Focus on the disputed facts and tax treatment
- Use mediation where it fits the case
- Keep review and appeal deadlines in view
The people behind the advice
The right people for the questions HMRC is asking.
Simba leads our enquiry and dispute work. Tax compliance, property, legal and technical specialists are brought together around the claim and its evidence, with additional external expertise where the case requires it.
Frances Pollard
Head of Legal
Legal and Compliance Support
Client experience
Trusted when the claim was challenged.
An existing InnoFund client on support with an R&D claim rejection. This is an individual experience, not a promise of the same outcome in another dispute.
Adam, Jack and the team at Innofund have been excellent from start to finish. Extremely knowledgable. Fast responses.
Would 100% recommend.
HMRC dispute resolution, explained
Questions before you start.
The right next step depends on the letter, the stage of the enquiry and any live deadline.
Discuss your HMRC letterCan you help if another adviser prepared our claim?
Yes. We can review an existing enquiry or dispute even if the original claim was prepared elsewhere. We first assess the file, current stage and available evidence, then agree whether to lead the work or collaborate with your existing adviser.
What should I do when HMRC sends an enquiry letter?
Read the letter, note the response date and preserve the relevant records. Tell your existing adviser and seek specialist input where needed. When contacting us, flag any urgent deadline. A consultation booking or general conversation does not extend that deadline.
Who will lead our enquiry?
Simba Mareverwa leads our enquiry and dispute work. The team is built around the relief and the questions raised, drawing on tax, technical, property and legal experience. We agree the named contacts and responsibilities when you appoint us.
Can you act on our behalf with HMRC?
Yes, within the scope of the agreed engagement and once the appropriate HMRC agent authorisation is in place. The first conversation establishes what you need; it does not itself appoint us or give us authority to act.
Can you challenge or reduce a penalty?
We can examine the basis of a penalty, the behaviour alleged and the relevant evidence. The available challenge or reduction depends on the applicable rules, disclosure and circumstances. We cannot guarantee cancellation or a particular reduction.
Will Alternative Dispute Resolution stop an appeal deadline?
No. ADR is a separate, non-statutory process and applications are considered case by case. You still need to protect any review or appeal rights and meet the relevant deadlines. We assess how ADR fits the stage and type of dispute.
How long does an enquiry take?
There is no reliable single timeframe. Complexity, evidence, the points in dispute and HMRC’s response all affect progress. We agree the immediate work, explain dependencies and keep you informed rather than promising a fixed resolution date.
Are you part of HMRC, or able to guarantee a result?
No. InnoFund is an independent adviser acting for its clients. Experience of HMRC processes helps us prepare and present the case, but it does not confer special access, HMRC endorsement or a guaranteed result.
Your next step
Bring the letter.
Start with a clear conversation.
Tell us which claim HMRC is reviewing, where the enquiry stands and when a response is due. We will help you understand what needs attention and whether our specialists are the right team to support you. Please flag any urgent deadline when you get in touch.
- 30 minutesA focused first conversation
- Expert guidanceTechnical, tax and commercial context
- Commitment freeA clear next step, without obligation