Tax Evasion & Avoidance Solicitors

Evasion means deliberately concealing income or gains from HMRC — for example, underreporting income or hiding assets. Avoidance means arranging your affairs to reduce a tax bill within the law, though HMRC can still challenge whether a particular arrangement actually works.

The two are genuinely different in law: avoidance is ordinarily a civil matter between you and HMRC, while evasion is a criminal offence that can be prosecuted, including under HMRC's Code of Practice 8 and 9 investigation frameworks and, in serious cases, the Criminal Finances Act 2017.

Conviction for evasion can carry up to 7 years' imprisonment, unlimited fines, confiscation of assets, and director disqualification for company officers, alongside the reputational and professional consequences of a criminal record.

Because so much turns on which category applies, an early, honest assessment of where your case actually sits — before HMRC's own view of it hardens — is often the single most useful thing you can do.

We advise on which category your case actually falls into, and represent you if HMRC treats the matter as criminal evasion rather than a civil dispute over avoidance.

• Advice on the distinction between evasion and avoidance
• Advice before and during any interview under caution
• Review of the financial evidence HMRC relies on
• Advice on Code of Practice 8 and 9 investigations
• Representation if the case proceeds to prosecution