The guarantee

Most firms hesitate before introducing a specialist, because most specialists are also competitors. We removed that problem in the structure of the firm, not in the marketing.

• Your client remains your client. Our engagement letter says so in terms, on every matter.
• We work through you. Advice is delivered back through your firm unless you ask us to deal with the client directly.
• We do not cross-sell. The only thing your client will ever hear from us about is the matter you brought us.

When firms bring us in

• A client is raising SEIS or EIS money and the structure is not vanilla.
• An option scheme needs designing and valuing.
• An R&D claim needs preparing, reviewing or defending.
• Shares are moving within a family.
• A cap table needs untangling before a round or a sale.
• An exit is on the horizon and the structuring window is still open.
• HMRC has opened an enquiry and you want specialist weight behind the response.

This work is narrow. We see these situations every week because we do nothing else.

How it works

1. Start with the triage call. It costs nothing.Every query begins with a conversation. If the answer fits inside thirty minutes, you will have it by the end, and we are happy for that to be the whole transaction.
2. Fixed fee per matter. Defined work is priced from a fixed rate card, which we are happy to send you. Complex advisory is scoped and fixed in writing before we start. You can quote your client with confidence because the number does not move.
3. The desk, for firms sending regular work. A monthly arrangement at £1,750 to £2,750 (plus VAT) depending on volume: priority access with a 48-hour response commitment, two pre-submission reviews per quarter, our monthly technical briefing white-labelled for your clients, and preferential matter rates. Most firms start with two or three individual matters first. That is the right order.

Second opinions

Pre-submission reviews of R&D claims, SEIS/EIS applications, EMI valuations and structuring papers prepared elsewhere. A short written opinion, the issues ranked by risk, and a clear recommendation either way. If the work is sound, the opinion says so and you submit with confidence.

The next time a client equity question lands on your desk, test us with the triage call.

Email: stevelivingston@iptaxsolutions.co.uk

Or if a CPD session for your team would be useful, let me know your availability and I'll put something together.

Steve Livingston FCA LLB - IP Tax Solutions Ltd
M-SPARC, Menai Science Park, Gaerwen, Anglesey
ICAEW Regulated