A man who was told to pay back thousands of pounds after he was caught up in a tax rebate scheme involving a Stowmarket-based accountancy firm has won his case against HMRC. 

Julian Lowe was told by HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) in February 2023 that he had claimed deductible expenses to which he was not entitled to. 

Mr Lowe had instructed Stowmarket firm Apostle Accountancy, which was wound up in 2023, for accountancy advice and how to claim the money back on the expenses incurred. 

The judgement record for the case reads that HMRC "considered Apostle had made carelessly inaccurate claims for deductible expenses and no evidence of the business expenses had been provided to substantiate the claims".

However, the judge for the case ruled HMRC did not make a valid discovery and allowed the appeal. 

Judge Nigel Popplewell concluded HMRC had failed to provide evidence of primary facts for the case.

"We're reviewing the case to learn lessons for the future," said a HMRC spokesperson. "The tribunal's decision does not impact any other taxpayer as it relates only to the specific facts."

Apostle is currently under police investigation by the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit amid allegations of fraud.