Petition · past parliament
Set Time Limits for HMRC Tax Enquiries
Closed
96 signatures
What the petition asks
HMRC are currently able to open tax enquiries then do little or nothing for years. The taxpayer has no certainty and this can be detrimental to physical and mental health. This seems more prevalent in the build up to the Loan Charge. Long-running inactive enquiries are unfair and should be closed!
I believe opening enquiries in such a manner is speculative, prejudicial and tantamount to entrapment. Time limits must be imposed. After four years, if there has been little contact or action by HMRC the enquiry should be closed or the onus of proof must transfer to HMRC. Six years is sufficient time to fully complete an enquiry. If, after six years, no action has been taken against the taxpayer an enquiry must be closed. Current open enquiries in this state should be closed forthwith.
Timeline
| 20 Mar 2019 | Petition opened for signatures |
| 20 Sep 2019 | Closed to new signatures |
Key facts
Signatures
96
Status
Closed
Opened
20 Mar 2019
Closed
20 Sep 2019
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Source: the official petition page. Last checked 15 Jul 2026.