HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) often sends text messages to businesses about VAT enquiries or reclaims. These can sometimes cause concern from the recipient business that they are being targeted by a scam.

In respect of VAT, businesses are most likely to receive genuine texts in respect of VAT reclaims. 

Here, the business is likely to be asked to check its business tax account for an update on its repayment claim. 

In many cases, the message on the tax account is likely to state that HMRC want to check the validity of the claim and communicate with the business. 

If the client wants to obtain the payment, it is entitled to it would be wise not to ignore such texts.

Clearly, where a business is being directed to request information from their own tax account rather than clicking on a link, it is unlikely that the text is a scam.

However, HMRC recognise that some businesses might still be nervous about being contacted by text. On this basis, HMRC has amended its guidance on communications received by text.

Government guidance gives advice on when texts may be a scam and sets out the kinds of communication with HMRC that a taxpayer might expect (including non-VAT matters).

If you are unsure or have any queries about text communications from HMRC, contact your usual ML advisor.