Tax Dispute Resolution Services in Birmingham: Companies Guide (2026)
AC
Acumon Chartered Accountants·14 min read
Birmingham businesses and individuals facing an HMRC enquiry, assessment, investigation or appeal can choose from specialist tax consultancies, accountancy firms and legal practices with dedicated dispute teams. Services can include voluntary disclosures, penalty negotiations, Code of Practice investigations, statutory reviews, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), appeals and Tax Tribunal support. This guide provides a practical overview of firms offering tax dispute resolution services to Birmingham clients rather than ranking them.
Acumon
Acumon is a UK firm of chartered accountants and registered auditors providing tax dispute resolution services to businesses and individuals dealing with disagreements with HMRC. Its dedicated Tax Dispute Resolution service covers disputed enquiry conclusions, discovery assessments, penalty determinations, VAT assessments, IR35 and employment status determinations, information notices and other contested HMRC decisions. The firm also supports settlement negotiations, Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), statutory reviews and First-tier Tribunal appeals where required.
The firm works with organisations ranging from growing owner-managed businesses and charities through to larger corporate groups and regulated entities. Audit engagements are delivered in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) and supported by a structured risk-based audit methodology.
Acumon holds a Public Interest Entity (PIE) audit licence, allowing the firm to audit listed companies and other entities subject to enhanced regulatory oversight in the United Kingdom. PIE audits are subject to additional regulatory supervision and quality requirements.
In addition to its UK audit registration, Acumon also holds recognised auditor status in Jersey and the Isle of Man. These authorisations enable the firm to support international corporate groups where entities are located across multiple jurisdictions.
International group structures frequently involve a combination of UK operating companies and offshore holding entities, particularly in sectors such as investment management, technology, energy and international trade. Coordinating audit and assurance work across these structures requires familiarity with cross-border financial reporting, group consolidation processes, governance arrangements and internal control environments.
For tax dispute resolution clients, Acumon’s wider tax practice means HMRC disagreements can be considered alongside the underlying tax and financial reporting issues. Several of the firm’s tax advisers previously handled disputes from the HMRC side, while its dispute service can support clients from negotiation and evidence preparation through ADR, statutory review and Tribunal proceedings where a matter cannot be resolved earlier.
Tax Dispute Resolution Capabilities
Acumon provides tax dispute resolution services across a wide range of organisational structures and sectors.
These include:
UK limited companies and corporate groups
Public Interest Entities (PIEs) and regulated organisations
offshore holding companies and investment vehicles
Tax dispute resolution engagements are typically led by senior tax professionals with direct involvement throughout the engagement.
Regulatory Licences and Registrations
Acumon holds several audit registrations that enable it to support organisations operating across multiple jurisdictions.
These include:
UK statutory audit registration
Public Interest Entity (PIE) audit licence
Jersey audit licence
Isle of Man audit licence
These registrations allow the firm to provide audit services to groups that include entities in both the UK and key international financial centres.
Core Services
Acumon provides a range of services that support financial reporting and governance.
These include:
statutory external audit
group and subsidiary audits
Public Interest Entity (PIE) audits
charity and not-for-profit audit
audit of international group structures
internal audit and governance reviews
risk management and compliance support
Audit work is often delivered alongside discussions with management and boards regarding financial reporting processes and governance frameworks.
Many organisations initially encounter statutory audit requirements as they grow and exceed the audit exemption thresholds set out in the Companies Act.
Acumon works with businesses that are:
approaching their first statutory audit
preparing for external investment
expanding into international markets
operating within corporate group structures
Early engagement with an audit firm can help ensure that financial reporting systems and documentation are aligned with statutory audit requirements.
Address: 1-2 Craven Road, Ealing, London, W5 2UA, UK
Claritas Tax
Claritas Tax has a dedicated Tax Dispute Services practice covering HMRC enquiries, investigations and appeals. Its Birmingham team can support businesses and private clients where a tax position is being challenged, including more serious Code of Practice 9 investigations. The firm describes dispute work as a specialist part of its wider corporate, international, VAT and private client tax offering.
Claritas was founded in Birmingham and maintains a city-centre office on Edmund Street. This makes it one of the more locally rooted specialist tax consultancies in the list rather than a general accountancy practice with tax disputes as a secondary service.
Key Facts
Ideal for: Businesses and private clients dealing with HMRC enquiries, COP9 matters or appeals
Birmingham presence: Established specialist tax office in the city centre
Contact Information:
Website: claritastax.co.uk
Address: Enterprise House, 115 Edmund Street, Birmingham, B3 2HJ
Phone: 0121 726 1717
Grant Thornton UK
Grant Thornton has a dedicated tax dispute resolution team handling HMRC enquiries, entrenched disputes, voluntary disclosures and disclosure campaigns. For disagreements that cannot be settled through ordinary correspondence, the firm can assist with settlement negotiations, HMRC’s ADR process and Tax Tribunal appeals. Its team includes tax professionals and former senior HMRC investigators.
The practice works with organisations and individuals ranging from owner-managed businesses and trusts to large corporate groups and high-net-worth clients. Its Birmingham office is based at 103 Colmore Row.
Key Facts
Ideal for: Complex or long-running HMRC disputes and voluntary disclosures
Core services: HMRC enquiries, settlement negotiations, ADR, Tribunal support and disclosure work
Dispute team: Includes former HMRC investigators and specialist tax professionals
S&W has a specialist Tax Dispute Resolution practice for businesses and individuals facing tax enquiries, disclosures, technical disagreements and serious investigations. The team advises on HMRC enquiries, voluntary disclosures, COP8 and COP9 cases, reviews and appeals, ADR and matters that may progress to litigation. Its broader business tax practice also handles investigations and settlement negotiations involving corporate tax and other business taxes.
Birmingham is particularly relevant to this service because S&W has tax dispute specialists based locally. Director Clare Halligan, for example, works from Birmingham and focuses on investigations, disclosures, disputes and mediation.
Key Facts
Ideal for: Businesses and private clients needing specialist HMRC representation
RSM’s Tax Dispute Resolution Services team works with individuals, companies, partnerships and trusts dealing with HMRC enquiries, investigations and disagreements over tax liabilities. Its specialists include Chartered Tax Advisers and former HM Inspectors of Taxes, with work ranging from voluntary disclosures and COP8 or COP9 investigations to penalty disputes and HMRC information requests.
For contested decisions, RSM can assist with formal appeals, independent HMRC reviews, ADR and First-tier Tribunal proceedings. The firm has a substantial Birmingham presence at 103 Colmore Row.
Key Facts
Ideal for: HMRC investigations, disclosures and disputes progressing towards appeal
Core services: COP8, COP9, voluntary disclosures, appeals, ADR and Tribunal support
Team background: Chartered tax professionals and former HMRC inspectors
Forvis Mazars maintains a nationwide Tax Dispute Resolution team that supports businesses, sole traders, partnerships, trusts and private individuals through HMRC investigations and contested tax matters. Its published service covers COP8 and COP9 investigations, R&D enquiries, voluntary disclosures, appeals, behavioural penalties, Schedule 36 information requests, offshore matters and HMRC nudge letters.
Cases that move beyond the enquiry stage can also involve ADR and litigation support. The firm’s Birmingham operation relocated to Three Chamberlain Square in January 2026, giving clients access to its wider tax and disputes capability from a central Birmingham office.
Key Facts
Ideal for: Broad HMRC investigations involving direct or indirect tax
Core services: COP8, COP9, disclosures, appeals, penalties, ADR and litigation support
Specialist background: Nationwide team includes former senior HMRC investigators
KPMG combines tax specialists with a dedicated tax disputes and litigation practice. Its team includes solicitors, barristers, former HMRC lawyers and officers, and accredited mediators, allowing it to cover technical tax disagreements as well as matters requiring a formal legal response. The practice covers corporate tax, VAT, customs, capital gains tax and other direct taxes.
Support can extend from managing HMRC enquiries and settlement proposals to ADR and litigation. KPMG also advises corporate taxpayers on HMRC enquiry closure, settlement governance and disputes considered under HMRC’s formal resolution processes.
Key Facts
Ideal for: Larger or technically complex corporate tax disputes
Team structure: Tax specialists combined with dedicated litigation lawyers
Contact Information:
Website: kpmg.com
Twitter: x.com/kpmguk
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/kpmg-uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/KPMG
Address: One Snowhill, Snowhill Queensway, Birmingham, B4 6GH
Phone: +44 (0)121 232 3000
Deloitte
Deloitte’s UK Tax Controversy practice supports businesses and individuals through the full dispute cycle, from the opening of a tax audit through to settlement or litigation. The team includes former senior tax authority employees, ADR professionals, solicitors and tax litigation specialists, with experience across UK taxes and duties.
Its scope includes COP8 and COP9 investigations, ADR, Business Risk Review+, Mutual Agreement Procedure matters and litigation, including Judicial Review. Deloitte’s Birmingham office remains at Four Brindleyplace, with a move to One Centenary Way announced for autumn 2026.
Key Facts
Ideal for: Complex corporate, international and multi-issue tax controversy
Dispute capability: Tax, legal and former tax authority experience within one practice
Contact Information:
Website: www.deloitte.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/deloitteuk
Twitter: x.com/deloitteuk
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/deloitte
Address: Four Brindleyplace, Birmingham, B1 2HZ
Phone: +44 (0)121 632 6000
PwC UK
PwC’s Tax Dispute Resolution team advises on preventing, managing and resolving disputes with HMRC. The practice brings together tax specialists, accountants, solicitors, economists, former HMRC inspectors and data specialists, allowing it to address both the technical tax position and the wider evidence required to support it.
Dispute work can include negotiation with HMRC, ADR and litigation, while the wider tax practice also covers enquiries and disclosures. PwC has a large Birmingham operation at One Chamberlain Square serving companies, entrepreneurs and other organisations across the Midlands.
Key Facts
Ideal for: Larger organisations with complex or strategically important tax disputes
Core services: Tax dispute strategy, negotiation, ADR, enquiries and litigation
Multidisciplinary support: Tax, legal, economics, data and former HMRC expertise
Contact Information:
Website: www.pwc.co.uk
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PwCUK
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/pwc-uk
Instagram: www.instagram.com/pwc_uk
Address: One Chamberlain Square, Birmingham, B3 3AX
Phone: +44 (0)121 265 5000
EY
EY provides tax controversy and tax risk services for organisations dealing with disagreements with tax authorities. Its approach is particularly relevant to businesses whose tax disputes cross jurisdictions, since the practice considers controversy management alongside tax policy, governance and international tax administration.
The wider Tax Risk practice also supports companies in managing and resolving disputes as enforcement and information sharing become more coordinated between authorities. EY maintains a Birmingham office at One Colmore Square, providing a local point of access to its UK and international tax capabilities.
Key Facts
Ideal for: Corporate and international tax controversy
Core services: Tax controversy management, tax risk and interaction with tax authorities
International focus: Suitable for disputes involving several markets or cross-border tax positions
Contact Information:
Website: www.ey.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/EY
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/ernstandyoung
Address: One Colmore Square, Birmingham, B4 6HQ
Phone: +44 121 535 2000
MHA
MHA’s Tax Dispute Resolution practice works with both businesses and individuals facing HMRC scrutiny. Its service includes tax reviews, early assessment of dispute prospects, communication and negotiation with HMRC, statutory reviews and support through ADR.
Where a disagreement cannot be resolved administratively, the firm can provide Tax Tribunal representation. MHA also offers a tax investigation service for existing clients who want professional fee protection around future HMRC investigations. Its Birmingham office is located on Newhall Street.
Key Facts
Ideal for: Businesses and individuals requiring support from enquiry through to Tribunal
PKF Smith Cooper has a dedicated multidisciplinary tax team that advises individuals and businesses when HMRC opens an enquiry or investigation. Its Tax Investigations service is designed to help clients understand HMRC’s concerns, respond to information requests and work towards a fair resolution.
The firm’s offering also includes an investigation protection arrangement covering professional fees for many types of HMRC enquiry. PKF Smith Cooper has a long-standing Birmingham presence and operates from 2 Cornwall Street following its move to Cornerblock in 2024.
Key Facts
Ideal for: Individuals and businesses dealing with HMRC enquiries
Core services: Tax investigation advice, enquiry management and resolution support
Additional option: Professional fee protection for qualifying HMRC investigations
Contact Information:
Website: www.pkfsmithcooper.com
Facebook: www.facebook.com/PKFsmithcooper
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/pkfsmithcooper
Instagram: www.instagram.com/pkfsmithcooper
Address: 2 Cornwall Street, Birmingham, B3 2DX
Phone: 0121 236 6789
Cooper Parry
Cooper Parry has a dedicated Tax Investigations practice for HMRC enquiries ranging from routine checks to serious fraud investigations and multi-year disputes. Its team includes advisers with HMRC and Big Four backgrounds and handles individual, business and cross-tax investigations.
The service covers COP8 and COP9, the Contractual Disclosure Facility, voluntary disclosures, corporation tax and VAT enquiries, information notices, penalties and closure notices. For disputes that become contentious, Cooper Parry can also support appeals, ADR, tax litigation advice and Tribunal proceedings.
Key Facts
Ideal for: Serious or technically complex HMRC investigations
Core services: COP8, COP9, CDF, disclosures, appeals, ADR and Tribunal support
Team background: Specialists with HMRC and major professional services experience
Pinsent Masons provides a dedicated Tax Disputes and Investigations legal practice for contentious tax matters. Its multidisciplinary team includes lawyers, accountants, Chartered Tax Advisers and former enforcement professionals, making it particularly relevant where a disagreement with HMRC has significant legal or litigation implications.
The firm can advise on domestic and international tax investigations and disputes, including cases where legal strategy needs to be coordinated with technical tax analysis. Pinsent Masons has a substantial Birmingham office at 55 Colmore Row.
Team structure: Lawyers, accountants, Chartered Tax Advisers and former enforcement specialists
Contact Information:
Website: www.pinsentmasons.com
Twitter: x.com/pinsent_masons
LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/company/pinsent-masons
Instagram: www.instagram.com/lifeatpinsentmasons
Address: 55 Colmore Row, Birmingham, B3 2FG
Phone: +44 (0)121 200 1050
Irwin Mitchell
Irwin Mitchell is a national law firm with a specialist tax investigations practice covering HMRC enquiries, disputes and prosecutions. Its lawyers advise on COP8 and COP9 investigations, complex and international enquiries, suspected tax fraud and voluntary disclosures. The team can also coordinate tax, regulatory, criminal and forensic accounting expertise where an investigation creates wider legal or reputational risks.
For disputes that move beyond the investigation stage, Irwin Mitchell supports Alternative Dispute Resolution, First-tier and Upper Tribunal proceedings and appeals against HMRC decisions. The firm has a full-service Birmingham office at The Colmore Building on Colmore Circus.
Key Facts
Ideal for: Serious HMRC investigations and disputes with potential legal or criminal implications
Address: 7th and 9th Floor, The Colmore Building, 20 Colmore Circus, Birmingham, B4 6AH
Phone: 0121 667 2444
Ormerod Rutter
Ormerod Rutter is a firm of chartered accountants with a dedicated Tax Dispute Resolution service for businesses and individuals dealing with HMRC. Its specialists handle HMRC enquiries, tax investigations and disclosures, helping clients assess information requests, establish the underlying tax position and communicate with HMRC throughout the process.
The practice also has experience challenging HMRC assessments where the taxpayer disagrees with the authority’s conclusions. Its published dispute service includes both business and personal tax matters, while the firm’s Birmingham office is located on Newhall Street in the city centre.
Key Facts
Ideal for: Businesses and individuals facing HMRC enquiries, investigations or disputed assessments
Core services: HMRC enquiries, tax investigations, disclosures and dispute resolution
Approach: Combines investigation support with wider accounting and tax expertise
Salhan Accountants is a Birmingham-based chartered accountancy and tax advisory firm providing specialist support for serious HMRC investigations. Its Tax Fraud Investigations service focuses particularly on Code of Practice 9 cases involving suspected deliberate tax irregularities across Corporation Tax, Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, PAYE and VAT.
The firm’s advisers can assist with preparing disclosure reports, responding to HMRC’s allegations and representing clients during the enquiry. Founder and senior tax consultant Madan Salhan also focuses on complex tax investigations, dispute-related advisory work and representations before the First-tier Tribunal. The practice operates from an office in Edgbaston, Birmingham.
Key Facts
Ideal for: COP9 and other serious HMRC investigations
Tax dispute resolution services in Birmingham vary considerably in scope. Some firms concentrate on HMRC investigations, disclosures and settlement negotiations, while others have dedicated litigation teams capable of taking a dispute through statutory review, ADR and the Tax Tribunal. Larger professional services firms can also be relevant when a disagreement involves several taxes, international structures or wider governance issues.
The appropriate provider depends on the stage and seriousness of the dispute. A routine HMRC enquiry may require a different level of support from a COP9 investigation, entrenched technical disagreement or case already approaching Tribunal. Relevant tax expertise, experience with the HMRC process and the ability to manage the next stage of the dispute are therefore more useful comparison points than firm size alone.
AC
Written by the Acumon team
Acumon is an ICAEW-registered firm of chartered accountants and registered auditors
based in London, with offices in Pitstone, Aylesbury and Bournemouth. Need advice on
anything covered here? Talk to us.
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