Court documents reveal that a company entangled in a tax rebate controversy contacted law enforcement after a client lodged a complaint.

Approximately 800 individuals found themselves facing substantial bills after submitting claims through Apostle Accounting, located in Stowmarket, Suffolk. These claims resulted in the payment of funds that they were not entitled to receive.

One former client, who lost an appeal at a tribunal contesting HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) over attempts to reclaim over £3,500, reported that Apostle indicated, “the police have been notified of threats and harassment.”

The BBC has reached out for comments from the previous directors of Apostle.

Dennis Lucas, a UPS driver from Camberwell, south London, sought Apostle’s services after hearing recommendations from colleagues. They had reportedly received substantial “tax rebates” related to expenses from uniform cleaning and subsistence.

The tribunal ruling noted that Apostle neither requested nor received any information regarding income, expenses, or receipts from Lucas. He was unaware of what had been claimed on his behalf. Ultimately, he lost the case as the tribunal concluded that HMRC acted appropriately in its recovery efforts.

“We empathize deeply with Mr. Lucas, who was misled by Apostle into sanctioning claims he believed were valid, yet the company was aware they were not. However, we are compelled to uphold the law,” stated the tribunal’s judgement.

Lucas estimated that around 200 of his UPS colleagues had interacted with Apostle.

“There’s considerable shame surrounding this,” he remarked. “I can only assume it has strained relationships.”

He expressed worries about repaying the debt to HMRC, stating, “The financial burden will likely entail incurring debt. A loan or credit card will have to be utilized to manage payments.”

Lucas clarified that he had no interactions with the police following Apostle’s claim of reporting him.

He described feeling “bitter” and “deeply distressed” regarding the tribunal’s ruling.

The judgement referenced an email Apostle sent to him after his complaints, stating, “The police have been informed of the threats and harassment you’ve posed, as has our attorney.”

Lucas asserted that law enforcement had not reached out to him.

The tribunal deemed the letter “factually incorrect and threatening.”

Directors Zoe and Martin Goodchild of Apostle Accounting have not yet provided a response to inquiries.

Previously, Ms. Goodchild, who seems to now go by Zoe Payne, denied any misconduct.

Former clients collectively found themselves indebted to HMRC for millions, as per calculations reviewed by the BBC.

The company has since been dissolved and is currently in liquidation.

The recent ruling from the Upper Tier Tax Tribunal expressed “little doubt that Apostle knowingly submitted tax returns with excessive and unallowable expense claims.”

Tax attorney Dan Neidle, who highlighted the tribunal’s decision on social media, told the BBC, “The judge observed an email trail confirming that Apostle filed false claims without their client’s consent. Unfortunately, anyone can label themselves a tax agent and submit a tax return, making clients liable for any discrepancies, severe as they may be.”

“I recommend working only with agents regulated by recognized bodies such as the Chartered Institute of Taxation (CIOT), the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT), or the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales (ICAEW).”

A police investigation into the scandal has now entered its third year.

In 2024, officers from the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit (ERSOU) executed searches at a commercial space and two homes in Stowmarket, in addition to an office in Peterborough.

In a recent statement, an ERSOU spokesperson noted, “Our investigation into fraud allegations concerning a Stowmarket business is ongoing, and we are collaborating closely with partner organizations to ascertain the offenses that may have been committed.”

Individuals who feel they have fallen victim to fraud are encouraged to report it via the Action Fraud website at www.actionfraud.police.uk or by calling 0300 123 2040.

HMRC has maintained its policy of not commenting on specific individuals or companies.