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Tax is a difficult and often stressful subject, and Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has not been doing its part to alleviate these troubles.

Lin Homer, chief executive of HMRC, told the Treasury select committee in mid-November that the tax office is failing to answer a quarter of the 50 million calls it receives a year. This is despite the organisation having what she said was possibly the largest virtual call centre in the world.

Despite the phone system enabling 20,000 members of staff to answer calls at any one time, Ms Homer admitted to MPs that only 76 per cent of calls were being answered. She added: “We were not serving to the level we would like to… and we are very apologetic.”

The complexity surrounding tax for both individuals and businesses mean that they often need expert help and advice. Indeed, Frenkels Forensics is instructed to assist with many tax investigations because people simply do not fully understand the issues involved – they also require the experience of a firm who knows how to deal with HMRC in such a way that problems will not escalate.

Whether investigations into tax evasions or tax fraud, PAYE & Benefits, civil investigation of fraud (also known as Code of Practice 9) or VAT investigations, the forensic accounting experts at Frenkels Forensics can assist with getting all the relevant information in order and presenting that to HMRC in the correct manner.

With HMRC’s chief executive admitting that its own phone lines are struggling to meet public demand for support, calling upon a third party to help in tax investigations is even more worthwhile. It is important to remember that one must always have the right professional advice before entering into discussions with HMRC.

For expert financial help with any tax issues contact Frenkels Forensics for an independent appraisal.

Alternatively, if you’re looking for advice in any aspect of forensic accountancy, then do get in touch via Twitter, Google+, LinkedIn or by visiting our website www.frenkels.com

By Vitek Frenkel – find me via Google+.