A leading Midlands law firm has boosted its commercial litigation team after recruiting a senior HMRC tax specialist to a tax consultancy role.
Israr Manawer, who took a leading role in helping HMRC in tackling tax avoidance schemes – including a number of high profile disguised remuneration schemes - has joined Leamington Spa-based Wright Hassall as it transforms its commercial litigation team’s offering to clients.
At HMRC, Israr was the theme lead for Post Disguised Remuneration Employer-Financed Retirement Benefit Schemes (EFRBS) and Deputy Litigation Lead for the Disguised Remuneration Midlands channel.
Following his appointment, Wright Hassall is now the only firm outside London to boast a ‘one stop shop’ for tax enquires, offering preventative advice through to legal assistance.
Israr is AAT qualified with degrees in Law from Staffordshire University and Professional Studies in Taxation from Manchester Metropolitan University. He has extensive knowledge and experience in dealing with disputes related to tax avoidance schemes, pensions, HMRC enquiries and negotiations.
His appointment to the role of Tax Consultant at Wright Hassall marks a step forward for the firm as it deals with an increasing number of tax queries and prepares for the incoming introduction of the HMRC Loan Charge.
HMRC is seeking to target up to 50,000 taxpayers who obtained disguised remuneration loans on or after 6 April 1999. The legislation, known as the Loan Charge, will apply to all loans that are still outstanding on 5 April 2019 unless the user has agreed a settlement with HMRC.
John Dormer, partner at Wright Hassall, said: “Having previously worked on ‘the other side’ for HMRC, Israr has a unique depth of knowledge in relation to most tax schemes and knows all about dealing with HMRC officers.
“Bringing his experience and insight to Wright Hassall is a huge coup and gives us an offer that is unmatched outside London, creating a one stop shop for all tax issues our clients may have.
“In recent years, the volume of specialist tax-related work we have been getting has increased exponentially so Israr’s arrival is particularly timely. .
“HMRC’s loan charge is sure to be a real issue for a number of our clients, so Israr’s expertise is an enormous boost for the team.”
Wright Hassall offers early advice to avoid or prevent a tax risk or issue escalating, as well as seeking settlement through mediation, litigation or arbitration, as appropriate.
The firm also assists clients in pursuing professional advisers who may have failed to perform to the standards required of them.
Israr said of his move to Wright Hassall: “This is a great opportunity for me to bring my tax experience with HMRC together with my law knowledge and help with the creation of a team unrivalled outside the capital.
“The introduction of the loan charge and other HMRC policies are going to create a wide range of issues and being a part of the Wright Hassall team puts me in a great position to help solve those issues for people.”
