HMRC Minimum Wage Investigation Support

If you're facing an HMRC investigation, it’s important not to panic, but to act promptly. It’s surprisingly easy to make mistakes, and many employers get caught out by technicalities or record-keeping issues.

Start by gathering all relevant documents, but avoid responding hastily.

Seek professional advice straight away. Engaging an expert like Fair Pay Hub helps you navigate the process correctly, avoid common pitfalls, and minimise risk.

During an HMRC investigation, inspectors will typically request a meeting with you as the director or business owner to understand your operations, workforce structure, and how records are maintained.

They also interview staff and examine employment records to assess compliance with national minimum wage legislation. This includes reviewing contracts, payslips, timesheets, and payroll data.

If any breaches are identified, HMRC will require arrears to be paid to affected workers, may issue financial penalties, and publicly name your business if underpayments exceed £500, regardless of the reason or intent behind the breach.

Ignoring letters from HMRC about an NMW enquiry can have serious consequences. Failure to respond or cooperate can result in escalated enforcement action.

It’s essential to take such letters seriously and seek expert guidance without delay.

HMRC penalties are 200% of any underpayment found, capped at £20,000 per worker.

In addition to financial penalties, they enforce arrears to be paid back to the affected worker and may publicly name your business. Early engagement with professionals can significantly reduce any potential exposure.

While it’s not a legal requirement, engaging an NMW expert can offer significant benefits, particularly in sectors like equestrian, where informal or non-traditional employment arrangements are common.

Small businesses are just as accountable under the NMW laws as larger organisations and are often more vulnerable due to limited HR resources. An NMW expert can help ensure your practices are compliant, reduce the risk of penalties, and give you peace of mind.

Led by Katy Hampton, Fair Pay Hub brings over two decades of specialist experience in navigating national minimum wage regulations and HMRC investigations, from both sides of the fence.

Before founding Fair Pay Hub, Katy spent 12 years at HMRC, gaining invaluable experience managing complex HMRC investigations. She then transitioned to a multinational accountancy firm, where she led a dedicated Minimum Wage department supporting a diverse portfolio of large-scale enterprises with their compliance obligations and HMRC enquiries.

With a personal background in the equestrian industry, Katy brings a deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by employers in the sector, enabling Fair Pay Hub to deliver tailored, practical solutions that can make a difference.

Fair Pay Hub are experts in National Minimum Wage compliance and HMRC investigations, specialising in helping businesses navigate complex regulations with confidence and clarity.

Their team offers clear, practical support, free of judgment because they understand just how easy it is to get caught out.

Fair Pay Hub works to minimise disruption, protect your reputation, and help ensure your business meets its legal obligations with confidence.

Fair Pay Hub offers a full range of services, including:

• HMRC investigation support
• Expert NMW compliance assessment
• Policy & procedure enhancements
• Financial & reputational risk management
• HMRC recommendation implementation
• Bespoke NMW training & workshops

Fair Pay Hub offer straightforward, transparent pricing tailored to the specific needs and complexity of your case. There are no hidden fees - you’ll receive a clear quote before any work begins. Acting early often reduces overall cost and risk.

As part of EEA’s partnership with Fair Pay Hub, members receive a 10% discount on all support packages.

Contact today for a confidential consultation and personalised quote.