Tax solicitors in England & Wales

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Plain-language guide

What a tax solicitor does.

A tax solicitor advises on the tax consequences of what you plan to do and represents you when HMRC disagrees with what you did. The work spans income tax, capital gains tax, inheritance tax, corporation tax, VAT and Stamp Duty Land Tax: structuring transactions, advising on residence and domicile, and handling enquiries, assessments, penalties and appeals to the First-tier Tribunal (Tax). Legal professional privilege attaches to advice from a solicitor in a way it does not to advice from an accountant.

When you need one

HMRC has opened an enquiry, issued an assessment or accused you of careless or deliberate conduct.
You are selling a business or property and want the tax structured properly before you exchange.
You are moving to or from the UK and need to know where you will be taxed.
You want to pass wealth to the next generation and reduce the inheritance tax on it.

How fees usually work

Most work is charged by the hour at a rate that depends on the solicitor's seniority, with a written estimate before work starts, as the SRA Code of Conduct and Transparency Rules require. VAT is added and disbursements such as court fees and counsel's fees are charged on top. Ask what would change the estimate and whether a fixed fee is possible for a defined stage.

Questions to ask before you instruct

What is the deadline to appeal this assessment, and should we apply for a postponement of the tax?
Is a disclosure or a settlement with HMRC preferable to a tribunal appeal?
How will your advice be privileged, and how does that help me?
What are the tax consequences of each structure you are proposing?

See the listed practitioners

General information about England & Wales law and practice, not advice on your matter. The practitioners listed on this page give that advice.

Tax solicitor questions

How long do I have to appeal an HMRC decision?

Thirty days from the date of the decision or assessment for most direct tax matters, by notice to HMRC, after which you can ask for a review or notify the appeal to the First-tier Tribunal. Late appeals are allowed only with permission. The tax usually remains payable unless you also apply to postpone it.

What is the difference between tax avoidance and tax evasion?

Evasion is deliberately misdeclaring or concealing, which is a criminal offence. Avoidance is arranging your affairs within the law to reduce tax, but the general anti-abuse rule, targeted anti-avoidance rules and the disclosure regime now catch many arrangements that once worked, with penalties for enablers.

How far back can HMRC go?

Four years for an ordinary error, six years for careless conduct and twenty years for deliberate conduct or a failure to notify. The enquiry window for a return is normally twelve months from filing, after which HMRC needs a discovery to raise an assessment.

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