Gary Ashford is a well-known tax disputes and investigations specialist. Having previously held positions at HMRC and leading accountancy firms, Gary has particular expertise in Code of Practice 8 & 9 (COP8 and COP 9), criminal and civil investigations as well as offshore tax matters.
Gary spends a considerable amount of this time helping high-net-worth and high-profile individuals who have unknowingly entered into tax avoidance or similar schemes. The type of advice he typically provides is in relation to COP9 or tax investigations and disclosure. Increasingly, Gary is also advising, in collaboration with our litigation and reputation management groups, on tax disputes. Helping individuals protect what is rightfully theirs whilst at the time limiting any media exposure.
Gary also advises trusts and corporate clients on a range of complex tax issues such as restructuring, employment tax as well as large scale tax investigations.
- UK and Offshore tax matters
- Non-domicile tax planning, HMRC enquiries and tax investigations
- Code of Practice 8 and 9 (COP8 and COP9) and criminal investigations
- Developments in global transparency
- Various FATCA, inter-governmental agreements
- Large tax disputes
- Corporate tax structuring and re-structuring
- Employment taxes and VAT
Gary is a fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT) and sits on the CIOT Council. He is a current member of the Professional Standards sub-committee. He represents CIOT on the Professional Affairs Committee of the Confédération Fiscale Européenne (CFE), the umbrella body for tax advisers in Europe, and sits on the CFE General Assembly. Additionally Gary is a committee member of the ICAEW Tax Investigation Practitioners Group and a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP).
Gary has over 25 years’ experience in the tax industry and joined Harbottle & Lewis in 2014 from the boutique financial services advisory firm, Kinetic Partners. Prior to this Gary worked at organisations including HMRC, EY, and Grant Thornton. He was also previously National Head of Tax Disputes at RSM Tenon.
