Appealing an HMRC decision ― outline

Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis
Produced by Tolley and written by Anne Redston
Personal Tax
Guidance

Appealing an HMRC decision ― outline

Copyright © 2026 LexisNexis
Produced by Tolley and written by Anne Redston
Personal Tax
Guidance
imgtext

Anne is a barrister who sits as a judge of the Upper Tribunal (Tax and Chancery Chamber) and the First-tier Tax Tribunal. The commentary in this guidance note is her personal view as she is not authorised to write on behalf of the Tribunals Service or the judiciary.

Introduction

This note outlines the procedure for appealing against a decision made by HMRC. It links to further notes which explain each stage of the procedure. See also the Flowchart ― appeal process at a glance ― direct taxes and Flowchart ― appeal process at a glance ― VAT which visually summarise the process.

Note that the Government has proposed an alignment of the processes for appealing direct taxes and VAT decisions. For more details, see the Tax Administration Framework Review: Improving HMRC’s approach to dispute resolution (Apr 2025).

This guidance note and the further notes on appealing to the Tribunal are only a summary; they do not cover all situations. You may need to take further advice in relation to the taxpayer’s

Continue reading the full document
To gain access to additional expert tax guidance, workflow tools, generative tax AI, and tax research, register for a free trial of Tolley+™
TAKE A FREE TRIAL NOW
Anne Redston
Anne Redston

Barrister

Anne Redston is a barrister and consultant editor of Tolley's Yellow Tax Handbook. She is also a judge of the Upper Tribunal (Tax and Chancery Chamber), the First-tier Tax Tribunal and the Social Entitlement Tribunal. She is a Chartered Accountant and Chartered Tax Adviser, and a Fellow of both Institutes.   

Read moreRead more
Powered by Tolley+™
  • 07 Aug 2025 13:10

Home/ Tolley Tax Guidance/ Personal Tax / Enquiries, penalties and appeals

Popular Articles

Corporation Tax

Associated companies ― from 1 April 2023

Associated companies ― from 1 April 2023Implications of associated companiesFrom 1 April 2023, the rate of corporation tax that a company is subject to depends on the level of its augmented profits. The rate of tax is based on a comparison of the company’s augmented profits against the corporation

22 Mar 2021 10:21 | Produced by Tolley Read more Read more
Value Added Tax

Exemption ― burial and cremation

Exemption ― burial and cremationThis guidance note provides an overview of the VAT treatment of services that are provided in connection with the burial or cremation of human remains.VAT treatmentThe following services are exempt from VAT:•the disposal of the remains of the dead•making arrangements

14 Jul 2020 11:38 | Produced by Tolley Read more Read more
Corporation Tax

Research and development expenditure credit (RDEC)

Research and development expenditure credit (RDEC)This guidance note provides information on how research and development expenditure credits (RDEC) are calculated and utilised. The Qualifying expenditure for R&D tax relief guidance note provides information on what expenditure qualifies for

14 Jul 2020 13:24 | Produced by Tolley in association with Will Sweeney Read more Read more