Winding up petition served on accountancy firm

A WINDING UP petition has been brought against accountants Montpelier Professional.

HM Revenue and Customs are creditors of the company, and are bringing the case against Montpelier which will be heard on 18 April.

The accountancy firm, based at Colburn Business Park at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire, but with offices in Preston, Fylde, Carlisle, Leeds, Dumfries and Galloway is no stranger to winding up petitions, this being the third that one has been brought since 2012.

An HMRC spokesperson said:”HMRC does not comment on the tax affairs of individuals or businesses. Our aim is to efficiently collect the debts due and to prevent things deteriorating further. We only initiate winding-up action where we believe this is the best way to protect both the interests of other taxpayers and creditors.

“Anyone who anticipates payment problems should call us as early as possible as we have an outstanding track record for supporting those with genuine problems.”

On the firm’s website says it is family-owned and deal with matters involving charities, the agricultural sector, as well as the technology and food and drink industries.

In December 2014, the business was served with a notice for compulsory strike-off, but by March 2015 this had been discontinued.

In August 2013, the sole director of Montpelier, trading as Montpelier Accountants, was charged over major £1m tax relief fraud.

Edward Watkin Gittins, still named in January this year as the company’s sole director, allegedly abused tax relief allowing individuals to make gifts to charity to offset the market value of the gifts against their tax liabilities.

His accomplice Martin Calcutt was also charged with forgery.