Additional assessments and best-of-judgement assessments are common, and they are frequently overstated. What matters is that you respond formally, in time, with evidence.
Note the deadline immediately
You generally have 30 days from service of a notice of assessment to file a valid objection. If that window closes, the assessment becomes final and conclusive and your options narrow sharply — enforcement, not argument, follows.
Understand how the figure was built
Ask for the basis of assessment. Overstatements typically come from turnover estimated from bank lodgements, disallowed expenses on documentation grounds, WHT credits not applied, and duplicated VAT.
File a reasoned objection
A valid objection states the grounds, the amount in dispute and the amount you consider payable, supported by schedules and evidence. Vague letters invite refusal.
- Reconciliation of bank lodgements to taxable turnover
- Invoices and contracts supporting disputed expenses
- WHT credit notes to be applied against the liability
- Recomputed tax showing the position you accept
Manage the reconciliation meeting
Most matters settle at reconciliation. Attend with a practitioner, concede what is genuinely payable, and keep an agreed written record of every point closed.
Escalate if necessary
If a Notice of Refusal to Amend is issued, the matter can proceed to the Tax Appeal Tribunal within the statutory window. We prepare the file with that possibility in mind from the first response.
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