HM Revenue and Customs has launched a free service offering dedicated tax help to mid-sized businesses that are growing.
The Growth Support Service, launched yesterday, is open to businesses with a turnover of more than £10m or more than 20 employees that are undergoing significant growth. According to HMRC, there are around 170,000 mid-sized businesses registered in the UK.
How the service works
HMRC said its tax experts would offer support tailored to each business’s needs. That could include help with tax queries, supplying information and co-ordinating technical expertise from across the department, and helping businesses get their tax right first time and access relevant incentives or reliefs.
Eligible businesses apply online, after which a dedicated growth support specialist at HMRC contacts them to discuss their requirements. HMRC said the service would generally last between three and six months.
Mel Stride, financial secretary to the Treasury, said: “Mid-sized businesses make vital contribution to the UK economy and I want to see them grow, succeed and prosper.
“The Growth Support Service will help these expanding businesses access tailored tax assistance so that tax administration doesn’t stand in the way of their growth and ensures businesses can focus on finding new opportunities.”
Sectors identified
HMRC named five sectors it said could benefit most from the service:
Manufacturing, such as building, printing or maintenance firms
Information and communication, including IT and software companies, film makers and publishers
Administrative and support services, such as vehicle hire companies, recruitment agencies and call centres
Professional, scientific and technical services, including law and accountancy firms and quantity surveyors
Wholesale and retail, such as high street shops, food and drink outlets and car showrooms
The new service sits alongside HMRC’s existing customer relations service for large businesses. Last month the department launched the Small Business Online Forum for small businesses and the self-employed.
