Deloitte UK establishes new tax Dispute Resolution Group

Deloitte has established a new market-leading Dispute Resolution Group to help its clients respond to HM Revenue & Customs’ (HMRC) radically changing approach to tax disputes.
The team, led by indirect tax specialist [private]Tony McClenaghan, includes six partners, supported by 40 staff and brings together expertise from across the fields of tax dispute resolution and litigation. The creation of this group with a broad range of specialisms builds on Deloitte’s recognised expertise in the field of VAT litigation.
Tony McClenaghan, head of the dispute resolution group at Deloitte, says: “The way in which HMRC is approaching tax disputes, including the introduction of the new Tax Tribunal in April this year, has changed dramatically in recent times. Their enquiries are more focused, penalties more likely and resolution through litigation much more common, whilst at the same time, we have seen the emergence of alternative dispute resolution processes. In this regard, Deloitte has proved to be highly successful in brokering settlement of some of the largest and most complex disputes, working with HMRC to resolve many years of issues successfully.”
David Sproul, head of tax at Deloitte, adds: “The Dispute Resolution Group will bring together the VAT litigation team, augmented by new partner and leading corporate tax litigator, Fiona Walkinshaw, and Deloitte’s London-based Tax Risk & Resolution team led by Tom Rowbotham. A team highly experienced in resolving high risk compliance process interventions will also join this group building upon our already market-leading capabilities in the area.”[/private]