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Dealing with the irregularities that may arise from an employer compliance check requires a good working knowledge of the applicable legislation and practice. Arguments based solely on concepts such as fairness and reasonableness are unlikely to carry much, if any, weight with HMRC and can unnecessarily prolong the period between the opening of the review and its conclusion. However, it should be borne in mind that although employer compliance officers see a wide range of businesses and are experienced in identifying areas where weaknesses commonly occur, they are not technical experts and can and do sometimes misinterpret legislation or can be unaware that rules in earlier periods were different.

In addition, regardless of the contents of guidance notes and other explanatory material produced by HMRC, it is the legislation and supporting regulations that prescribe the law. Whilst guidance may be helpful, the standard statement in HMRC booklets still applies: “This guide sets out HMRC approach in applying legislation…The guide itself has no binding force in law and does not affect any