Seatax
HMRC enquiries into seafarer tax and SED
SED is valuable, so HMRC checks claims. They may want HS205, tickets, hotels, passports, the discharge book and employer confirmation of voyages. A past refund does not block a later review.
Pain
The letter arrives while you are mid-contract. Nobody at home knows where the discharge book is.
Solution
During enrolment we deal with investigations on returns we submitted. Keep records so we have something to send.
If you are enrolled with Seatax
If a Self Assessment we entered is picked for investigation during your enrolment, we deal with it. That is a core reason to appoint an agent rather than running HMRC from the mess.
If you claimed yourself
We can still take you on, reconstruct the eligible period, and respond — provided the documents exist. Involved enquiry work may be extra to the standard return fee.
This page is general information based on published HMRC guidance, not personal tax advice. Seatax will apply the rules to your sea service after you enrol. Fees from £275 including VAT per return.
Questions people ask
Will I owe penalties?
That depends on whether the claim was wrong and whether HMRC see carelessness. Accurate records are the defence.
Enrol with Seatax
Ready to put your seafarer tax in order?
Fees from £275 including VAT per tax return. Download the pack, or call us and we will deal with your enquiry within 24 hours.