Testimonials

The following represent a selection of testimonials from clients who engaged Brebners to act on their behalf, either in relation to a tax investigation by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC), or where a voluntary disclosure is required.

It should be noted that due to the sensitive nature of the work undertaken, all testimonials have been submitted on an anonymous basis.

“Professional advice and service”

“I had reason to seek advice from Doug Sinclair at Brebners and have had a very positive experience. Not only has the professional advice and service been excellent and resolved all my issues, the communication and care to explain all the steps involved has been really reassuring. Any initial stress or concerns I had when I realized I needed advice was eased once I was able to go through things with Doug and come up with a plan, which subsequently went very smoothly.

I have no hesitation in recommending Doug to anyone who needs his advice and services.”

“Experience and knowledge is astounding”

“I asked Brebners for help with a complicated set of incomes from foreign rental income, PAYE and self-employment along with an HMRC WDF. After a poor experience with my previous accountant, I was delighted with how quickly Doug was to respond to any of my questions with his sound advice. 

Doug’s experience and knowledge is astounding, many of the letters I received from HMRC had conflicting information which Doug either knew the reason for already or had no trouble resolving.

I look forward to continue working with Brebners for years to come.”

“I am very pleased with the outcome, and would recommend their services to anyone”

“Doug Sinclair at Brebners came recommended to me by my regular accountant, as I needed specialist help with my foreign earned income tax. I have to say I was in a bit of a panic after hearing from HMRC, but Doug calmly explained what we needed to do, and together we pieced together the necessary details, and calculated the liabilities. He then continued to follow up with HMRC until they agreed to our calculation, and I have just received, with great relief, confirmation from HMRC that the matter is now closed.

Initially, I felt the service was a little expensive, but I could not have negotiated this minefield without specialist help, and the money it cost has saved me tenfold, so I am very pleased with the outcome, and would recommend their services to anyone needing help in a similar situation.”

“A deal that both saved my company and my reputation”

“I recruited the services of Doug Sinclair after receiving a COP9 letter from HMRC in 2019. After researching the severity of this letter I then spent some time on the internet looking for a specialist in this field. Thankfully I found Doug and I can honestly say without his expert knowledge and attention to detail in this case my company would have been subject to liquidation. Doug took me through the whole process and found the source of the trigger for this investigation, and gave me several options to reduce the penalties HMRC were looking to enforce. After much negotiation Doug put together a deal that both saved my company and my reputation and for these reasons I will always be in his debt. I cannot recommend his services enough and I would like to take this opportunity to thank Doug and his team for everything they did for me.”

“Provided sound advice, a robust submission and proactively engaged with HMRC”

“We approached Brebners after identifying a historic issue with CIS accounting at our company, and are very thankful we did. Doug provided sound advice and patiently helped us to make an informed decision as to the implications and our options. He detailed the information required from us, made a robust submission, proactively engaged with HMRC through the process and provided us with regular updates. There was no variance to the initial fee quote despite a more drawn out process than estimated. I would not hesitate to recommend Doug and have gone on to instruct Brebners to help with other areas of our business.” 

“Simply invaluable….with a calm and reassuring presence”

“Doug acted as consultant/advisor in connection with a complex voluntary disclosure offshore tax enquiry involving different classifications of assets held in various partnerships, portfolios and corporate entities in multiple jurisdictions stemming from the (deceased) taxpayer’s misinterpretation of his non UK domicile status. He guided the Executrix in the whole process from initial contact with and outline disclosure to HMRC, attendance at interviews, steering the process of obtaining relevant information, consideration of appropriate tax calculations and negotiating the appropriate penalty, assisting in preparation of the final report and neatly setting out the vast array of appendices, and obtaining final acceptance and closure. Doug was simply invaluable in ensuring that the whole process went smoothly and helping to ensure the client remained calm through an incredibly stressful situation following the loss of her husband and the need to approach and settle with HMRC.

Doug’s expertise and experience and no nonsense attitude combined with his calm and steady hand meant that HMRC could be fully satisfied that they had recovered all the potential lost revenue and arguably more importantly that the Executrix did eventually achieve her overall aim of final closure over a messy situation paying no more than that required to tidy everything up. On occasion, Doug was willing to stand up and challenge some of the more overzealous aspects of the Inspector’s enquiries and interpretations of the rules.

Doug has also assisted us in connection with a number of other relatively more straightforward voluntary disclosure tax cases and again his calm and reassuring presence always gives a huge amount of confidence and ultimately a fair and satisfactory result to both sides.”

“Doug has all the human and professional qualities for this role”

“We consider ourselves very fortunate to have Doug Sinclair as our adviser. He has all the human and professional qualities for this role. He is very approachable and his quiet confidence instantly has the effect of creating a positive and friendly atmosphere. His professionalism is very apparent. He is knowledgeable without being overbearing. As he speaks, you quickly become aware of the extent of the knowledge he has accumulated over the years . You feel that he is un-picking the complexities of your situation and is formulating the most efficient tax solution to your specific circumstances.

Meeting Doug in person, has always been a very pleasant experience. He gives you his full and undivided attention. He provides simple refreshments and leaves you with a warm “after-glow”.

He makes no secret of his passion for international rugby and when the time comes for us to see him, it is a fixture none of us would like to miss.”

“Extremely efficient and talented”

“I would like to recommend Brebners Accountants to anybody who is looking for help with their Tax affairs. I recently had some issues with HMRC and turned to Brebners for assistance in dealing with my affairs. I was placed in the very capable hands of Mr Doug Sinclair and Ms Jennifer Style. I found them both to be understanding, sympathetic, helpful and above all extremely efficient and talented in their dealings on my behalf.

They brought things to a satisfactory conclusion both for me and for HMRC. I am very grateful for everything they did for me and I certainly would not have been able to cope with this very stressful situation without their support.”

ICAEW IGAL The Association of Practising Accountants

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