Finance Bill (HC Bill 10)

Representations

200 Representations about a follower notice

(1) Where a follower notice is given under section 197, P has 90 days beginning
with the day that notice is given to send written representations to HMRC
5objecting to the notice on the grounds that—

(a) Condition A, B or D in section 197 was not met,

(b) the judicial ruling specified in the notice is not one which is relevant to
the chosen arrangements, or

(c) the notice was not given within the period specified in subsection (6) of
10that section.

(2) HMRC must consider any representations made in accordance with subsection
(1).

(3) Having considered the representations, HMRC must determine whether to—

(a) confirm the follower notice (with or without amendment), or

(b) 15withdraw the follower notice,

and notify P accordingly.

Penalties

201 Penalty if corrective action not taken in response to follower notice

(1) This section applies where a follower notice is given to P (and not withdrawn).

(2) 20P is liable to pay a penalty if the necessary corrective action is not taken in
respect of the denied advantage (if any) before the specified time.

(3) In this Chapter “the denied advantage” means so much of the asserted
advantage (see section 197(3)) as is denied by the application of the principles
laid down, or reasoning given, in the judicial ruling identified in the follower
25notice under section 199(a).

(4) The necessary corrective action is taken in respect of the denied advantage if
(and only if) P takes the steps set out in subsections (5) and (6).

(5) The first step is that—

(a) in the case of a follower notice given by virtue of section 197(2)(a), P
30amends a return or claim to counteract the denied advantage;

(b) in the case of a follower notice given by virtue of section 197(2)(b), P
takes all necessary action to enter into an agreement with HMRC (in
writing) for the purpose of relinquishing the denied advantage.

(6) The second step is that P notifies HMRC—

(a) 35that P has taken the first step, and

(b) of the denied advantage and (where different) the additional amount
which has or will become due and payable in respect of tax by reason
of the first step being taken.

(7) In determining the additional amount which has or will become due and
40payable in respect of tax for the purposes of subsection (6)(b), it is to be
assumed that, where P takes the necessary action as mentioned in subsection
(5)(b), the agreement is then entered into.

(8) In this Chapter—

• “the specified time” means—

  (a)

  if no representations objecting to the follower notice were made
  by P in accordance with subsection (1) of section 200, the end of
  5the 90 day post-notice period;

  (b)

  if such representations were made and the notice is confirmed
  under that section (with or without amendment), the later of—

  (i)

  the end of the 90 day post-notice period, and

  (ii)

  the end of the 30 day post-representations period;

• 10“the 90 day post-notice period” means the period of 90 days beginning
  with the day on which the follower notice is given;

• “the 30 day post-representations period” means the period of 30 days
  beginning with the day on which P is notified of HMRC’s
  determination under section 200.

(9) 15No enactment limiting the time during which amendments may be made to
returns or claims operates to prevent P taking the first step mentioned in
subsection (5)(a) before the tax enquiry is closed (whether or not before the
specified time).

(10) No appeal may be brought, by virtue of a provision mentioned in subsection
20(11), against an amendment made by a closure notice in respect of a tax enquiry
to the extent that the amendment takes into account an amendment made by P
to a return or claim in taking the first step mentioned in subsection (5)(a)
(whether or not that amendment was made before the specified time).

(11) The provisions are—

(a) 25section 31(1)(b) or (c) of TMA 1970,

(b) paragraph 9 of Schedule 1A to TMA 1970,

(c) paragraph 34(3) of Schedule 18 to FA 1998,

(d) paragraph 35(1)(b) of Schedule 10 to FA 2003, and

(e) paragraph 35(1)(b) of Schedule 33 to FA 2013.

202 30Amount of a section 201 penalty

(1) The penalty under section 201 is 50% of the value of the denied advantage.

(2) Schedule 26 contains provision about how the denied advantage is valued for
the purposes of calculating penalties under this section.

(3) Where P before the specified time—

(a) 35amends a return or claim to counteract part of the denied advantage
only, or

(b) takes all necessary action to enter into an agreement with HMRC (in
writing) for the purposes of relinquishing part of the denied advantage
only,

40in subsections (1) and (2) the references to the denied advantage are to be read
as references to the remainder of the denied advantage.

203 Reduction of a section 201 penalty for co-operation

(1) Where—

(a) P is liable to pay a penalty under section 201 of the amount specified in
45section 202(1),

(b) the penalty has not yet been assessed, and

(c) P has co-operated with HMRC,

HMRC may reduce the amount of that penalty to reflect the quality of that co-
operation.

(2) 5In relation to co-operation, “quality” includes timing, nature and extent.

(3) P has co-operated with HMRC only if P has done one or more of the
following—

(a) provided reasonable assistance to HMRC in quantifying the tax
advantage;

(b) 10counteracted the denied advantage;

(c) provided HMRC with information enabling corrective action to be
taken by HMRC;

(d) provided HMRC with information enabling HMRC to enter an
agreement with P for the purpose of counteracting the denied
15advantage;

(e) allowed HMRC to access tax records for the purpose of ensuring that
the denied advantage is fully counteracted.

(4) But nothing in this section permits HMRC to reduce a penalty to less than 10%
of the value of the denied advantage.

204 20Assessment of a section 201 penalty

(1) Where a person is liable for a penalty under section 201, HMRC may assess the
penalty.

(2) Where HMRC assess the penalty, HMRC must—

(a) notify the person who is liable for the penalty, and

(b) 25state in the notice a tax period in respect of which the penalty is
assessed.

(3) A penalty under section 201 must be paid before the end of the period of 30
days beginning with the day on which the person is notified of the penalty
under subsection (2).

(4) 30An assessment—

(a) is to be treated for procedural purposes in the same way as an
assessment to tax (except in respect of a matter expressly provided for
by this Chapter),

(b) may be enforced as if it were an assessment to tax, and

(c) 35may be combined with an assessment to tax.

(5) No penalty under section 201 may be notified under subsection (2) later than—

(a) in the case of a follower notice given by virtue of section 197(2)(a) (tax
enquiry in progress), the end of the period of 90 days beginning with
the day the tax enquiry is completed, and

(b) 40in the case of a follower notice given by virtue of section 197(2)(b) (tax
appeal pending), the end of the period of 90 days beginning with the
earliest of—

(i) the day on which P takes the necessary corrective action (within
the meaning of section 201(4)),

(ii) the day on which a ruling is made on the tax appeal by P, or any
further appeal in that case, which is a final ruling (see section
198(4)), and

(iii) the day on which that appeal, or any further appeal, is
5abandoned or otherwise disposed of before it is determined by
the court or tribunal to which it is addressed.

(6) In this section a reference to an assessment to tax, in relation to inheritance tax,
is to a determination.

205 Aggregate penalties

(1) 10Subsection (2) applies where—

(a) two or more penalties are incurred by the same person and fall to be
determined by reference to an amount of tax to which that person is
chargeable,

(b) one of those penalties is incurred under section 201, and

(c) 15one or more of the other penalties are incurred under a relevant penalty
provision.

(2) The aggregate of the amounts of the penalties mentioned in subsection (1)(b)
and (c), so far as determined by reference to that amount of tax, must not
exceed—

(a) 20the relevant percentage of that amount, or

(b) in a case where at least one of the penalties is under paragraph 5(2)(b)
or 6(3)(b), (4)(b) or (5)(b) of Schedule 55 to FA 2009, £300 (if greater).

(3) In the application of section 97A of TMA 1970 (multiple penalties), no account
is to be taken of a penalty under section 201.

(4) 25“Relevant penalty provision” means—

(a) Schedule 24 to FA 2007 (penalties for errors),

(b) Schedule 41 to FA 2008 (penalties: failure to notify etc), or

(c) Schedule 55 to FA 2009 (penalties for failure to make returns etc).

(5) “The relevant percentage” means—

(a) 30200% in a case where at least one of the penalties is determined by
reference to the percentage in—

(i) paragraph 4(4)(c) of Schedule 24 to FA 2007,

(ii) paragraph 6(4)(a) of Schedule 41 to FA 2008, or

(iii) paragraph 6(3A)(c) of Schedule 55 to FA 2009,

(b) 35150% in a case where paragraph (a) does not apply and at least one of
the penalties is determined by reference to the percentage in—

(i) paragraph 4(3)(c) of Schedule 24 to FA 2007,

(ii) paragraph 6(3)(a) of Schedule 41 to FA 2008, or

(iii) paragraph 6(3A)(b) of Schedule 55 to FA 2009,

(c) 40140% in a case where neither paragraph (a) nor paragraph (b) applies
and at least one the penalties is determined by reference to the
percentage in—

(i) paragraph 4(4)(b) of Schedule 24 to FA 2007,

(ii) paragraph 6(4)(b) of Schedule 41 to FA 2008,

(iii) 45paragraph 6(4A)(c) of Schedule 55 to FA 2009,

(d) 105% in a case where none of paragraphs (a), (b) and (c) applies and at
least one of the penalties is determined by reference to the percentage
in—

(i) paragraph 4(3)(b) of Schedule 24 to FA 2007,

(ii) 5paragraph 6(3)(b) of Schedule 41 to FA 2008,

(iii) paragraph 6(4A)(b) of Schedule 55 to FA 2009, and

(e) in any other case, 100%.

206 Alteration of assessment of a section 201 penalty

(1) After notification of an assessment has been given to a person under section
10204(2), the assessment may not be altered except in accordance with this
section or on appeal.

(2) A supplementary assessment may be made in respect of a penalty if an earlier
assessment operated by reference to an underestimate of the value of the
denied advantage.

(3) 15An assessment or supplementary assessment may be revised as necessary if it
operated by reference to an overestimate of the denied advantage; and, where
more than the resulting assessed penalty has already been paid by the person
to HMRC, the excess must be repaid.

207 Appeal against a section 201 penalty

(1) 20P may appeal against a decision of HMRC that a penalty is payable by P under
section 201.

(2) P may appeal against a decision of HMRC as to the amount of a penalty
payable by P under section 201.

(3) An appeal under this section must be made within the period of 30 days
25beginning with the day on which notification of the penalty is given under
section 204.

(4) An appeal under this section is to be treated in the same way as an appeal
against an assessment to the tax concerned (including by the application of any
provision about bringing the appeal by notice to HMRC, about HMRC’s
30review of the decision or about determination of the appeal by the First-tier
Tribunal or Upper Tribunal).

(5) Subsection (4) does not apply—

(a) so as to require a person to pay a penalty before an appeal against the
assessment of the penalty is determined, or

(b) 35in respect of any other matter expressly provided for by this Part.

(6) In this section a reference to an assessment to tax, in relation to inheritance tax,
is to a determination.

(7) On an appeal under subsection (1), the tribunal may affirm or cancel HMRC’s
decision.

(8) 40On an appeal under subsection (2), the tribunal may—

(a) affirm HMRC’s decision, or

(b) substitute for HMRC’s decision another decision that HMRC had
power to make.

(9) In this section “tribunal” means the First-tier Tribunal or Upper Tribunal (as
appropriate by virtue of subsection (4)).

Partners and partnerships

208 Follower notices: treatment of partners and partnerships

5Schedule 27 makes provision about the application of this Chapter in relation
to partners and partnerships.

Appeals out of time

209 Late appeal against final judicial ruling

(1) This section applies where a final judicial ruling (“the original ruling”) is the
10subject of an appeal by reason of a court or tribunal granting leave to appeal
out of time.

(2) If a follower notice has been given identifying the original ruling under section
199(a), the notice is suspended until such time as HMRC notify P that—

(a) the appeal has resulted in a judicial ruling which is a final ruling, or

(b) 15the appeal has been abandoned or otherwise disposed of (before it was
determined).

(3) Accordingly the period during which the notice is suspended does not count
towards the periods mentioned in section 201(8).

(4) When a follower notice is suspended under subsection (2), HMRC must notify
20P as soon as reasonably practicable.

(5) If the new final ruling resulting from the appeal is not a judicial ruling which
is relevant to the chosen arrangements (see section 198), the follower notice
ceases to have effect at the end of the period of suspension.

(6) In any other case, the follower notice continues to have effect after the end of
25the period of suspension and, in a case within subsection (2)(a), is treated as if
it were in respect of the new final ruling resulting from the appeal.

(7) The notice given under subsection (2) must—

(a) state whether subsection (5) or (6) applies, and

(b) where subsection (6) applies in a case within subsection (2)(a), make
30any amendments to the follower notice required to reflect the new final
ruling.

(8) No new follower notice may be given in respect of the original ruling unless
the appeal has been abandoned or otherwise disposed of before it is
determined by the court or tribunal to which it is addressed.

(9) 35Nothing in this section prevents a follower notice being given in respect of a
new final ruling resulting from the appeal.

(10) Where the appeal is abandoned or otherwise disposed of before it is
determined by the court or tribunal to which it is addressed, for the purposes
of the original ruling the period beginning when leave to appeal out of time
40was granted, and ending when the appeal is disposed of, does not count
towards the period of 12 months mentioned in section 197(6).

Transitional provision

210 Transitional provision

(1) In the case of judicial rulings made before the day on which this Act is passed,
this Chapter has effect as if for section 197(6) there were substituted—

“(6) 5A follower notice may not be given after—

(a) the end of the period of 24 months beginning with the day on
which this Act is passed, or

(b) the end of the period of 12 months beginning with the day the
return or claim to which subsection (2)(a) refers was received
10by HMRC or (as the case may be) with the day the tax appeal
to which subsection (2)(b) refers was made,

whichever is later.”

(2) Accordingly, the reference in section 209(10) to the period of 12 months
includes a reference to the period of 24 months mentioned in the version of
15section 197(6) set out in subsection (1) above.

Defined terms

211 Defined terms used in Chapter 2

For the purposes of this Chapter—

• “arrangements” has the meaning given by section 194(4);

• 20“the asserted advantage” has the meaning given by section 197(3);

• “the chosen arrangements” has the meaning given by section 197(3);

• “the denied advantage” has the meaning given by section 201(3);

• “follower notice” has the meaning given by section 197(1);

• “HMRC” means Her Majesty’s Revenue and Customs;

• 25“judicial ruling”, and “relevant” in relation to a judicial ruling and the
  chosen arrangements, have the meaning given by section 198;

• “relevant tax” has the meaning given by section 193;

• “the specified time” has the meaning given by section 201(8);

• “tax advantage” has the meaning given by section 194(2);

• 30“tax appeal” has the meaning given by section 196;

• “tax arrangements” has the meaning given by section 194(3);

• “tax enquiry” has the meaning given by section 195(2);

• “tax period” means a tax year, accounting period or other period in
  respect of which tax is charged;

• 35“P” has the meaning given by section 197(1);

• “the 30 day post-representations period” has the meaning given by
  section 201(8);

• “the 90 day post-notice period” has the meaning given by section 201(8).

CHAPTER 3 Accelerated payment

Accelerated payment notices

212 Circumstances in which an accelerated payment notice may be given

(1) HMRC may give a notice (an “accelerated payment notice”) to a person (“P”) if
5Conditions A to C are met.

(2) Condition A is that—

(a) a tax enquiry is in progress into a return or claim made by P in relation
to a relevant tax, or

(b) P has made a tax appeal (by notifying HMRC or otherwise) in relation
10to a relevant tax but that appeal has not yet been—

(i) determined by the tribunal or court to which it is addressed, or

(ii) abandoned or otherwise disposed of.

(3) Condition B is that the return or claim or, as the case may be, appeal is made
on the basis that a particular tax advantage (“the asserted advantage”) results
15from particular arrangements (“the chosen arrangements”).

(4) Condition C is that one or more of the following requirements are met—

(a) HMRC has given (or, at the same time as giving the accelerated
payment notice, gives) P a follower notice under Chapter 2—

(i) in relation to the same return or claim or, as the case may be,
20appeal, and

(ii) by reason of the same tax advantage and the chosen
arrangements;

(b) the chosen arrangements are DOTAS arrangements;

(c) a GAAR counteraction notice has been given in relation to the asserted
25advantage or part of it and the chosen arrangements (or is so given at
the same time as the accelerated payment notice) in a case where the
stated opinion of at least two of the members of the sub-panel of the
GAAR Advisory Panel which considered the matter under paragraph
10 of Schedule 43 to FA 2013 was as set out in paragraph 11(3)(b) of that
30Schedule (entering into tax arrangements not reasonable course of
action etc).

(5) “DOTAS arrangements” means—

(a) notifiable arrangements to which HMRC has allocated a reference
number under section 311 of FA 2004,

(b) 35notifiable arrangements implementing a notifiable proposal where
HMRC has allocated a reference number under that section to the
proposed notifiable arrangements, or

(c) arrangements in respect of which the promoter must provide
prescribed information under section 312(2) of that Act by reason of the
40arrangements being substantially the same as notifiable arrangements
within paragraph (a) or (b).

(6) But the notifiable arrangements within subsection (5) do not include
arrangements in relation to which HMRC has given notice under section 312(6)

of FA 2004 (notice that promoters not under duty imposed to notify client of
reference number).

(7) “GAAR counteraction notice” means a notice under paragraph 12 of Schedule
43 to FA 2013 (notice of final decision to counteract under the general anti-
5abuse rule).

213 Content of notice given while a tax enquiry is in progress

(1) This section applies where an accelerated payment notice is given by virtue of
section 212(2)(a) (notice given while a tax enquiry is in progress).

(2) The notice must—

(a) 10specify the paragraph or paragraphs of section 212(4) by virtue of
which the notice is given,

(b) specify the payment required to be made under section 216 and the
requirements of that section, and

(c) explain the effect of sections 215 and 219, and of the amendments made
15by sections 217 and 218 (so far as relating to the relevant tax in relation
to which the accelerated payment notice is given).

(3) The payment required to be made under section 216 is an amount equal to the
amount which a designated HMRC officer determines, to the best of that
officer’s information and belief, as the understated tax.

(4) 20“The understated tax” means the additional amount that would be due and
payable in respect of tax if—

(a) in the case of a notice given by virtue of section 212(4)(a) (cases where
a follower notice is given)—

(i) it were assumed that the explanation given in the follower
25notice in question under section 199(b) is correct, and

(ii) the necessary corrective action were taken under section 201 in
respect of what the designated HMRC officer determines, to the
best of that officer’s information and belief, as the denied
advantage;

(b) 30in the case of a notice given by virtue of section 212(4)(b) (cases where
the DOTAS requirements are met), such adjustments were made as are
required to counteract what the designated HMRC officer determines,
to the best of that officer’s information and belief, as the denied
advantage;

(c) 35in the case of a notice given by virtue of section 212(4)(c) (cases
involving counteraction under the general anti-abuse rule), such of the
adjustments set out in the GAAR counteraction notice as have effect to
counteract the denied advantage were made.

(5) “The denied advantage”—

(a) 40in the case of a notice given by virtue of section 212(4)(a), has the
meaning given by section 201(3),

(b) in the case of a notice given by virtue of section 212(4)(b), means so
much of the asserted advantage as is not a tax advantage which results
from the chosen arrangements or otherwise, and

(c) 45in the case of a notice given by virtue of section 212(4)(c), means so
much of the asserted advantage as would be counteracted by making
the adjustments set out in the GAAR counteraction notice.

(6) If a notice is given by reason of two or all of the requirements in section 212(4)
being met, the payment specified under subsection (2)(b) is to be determined
as if the notice were given by virtue of such one of them as is stated in the notice
as being used for this purpose.

(7) 5“The GAAR counteraction notice” means the notice under paragraph 12 of
Schedule 43 to FA 2013 (notice of final decision to counteract under the general
anti-abuse rule).

214 Content of notice given pending an appeal

(1) This section applies where an accelerated payment notice is given by virtue of
10section 212(2)(b) (notice given pending an appeal).

(2) The notice must—

(a) specify the paragraph or paragraphs of section 212(4) by virtue of
which the notice is given,

(b) specify the disputed tax, and

(c) 15explain the effect of section 215 and of the amendments made by
sections 217 and 218 so far as relating to the relevant tax in relation to
which the accelerated payment notice is given.

(3)
“The disputed tax” means so much of the amount of the charge to tax arising
in consequence of—

(a) 20the amendment or assessment to tax appealed against, or

(b) where the appeal is against a conclusion stated by a closure notice, that
conclusion,

as a designated HMRC officer determines, to the best of the officer’s
information and belief, as the amount required to ensure the counteraction of
25what that officer so determines as the denied advantage.

(4) “The denied advantage” has the same meaning as in section 213(5).

(5) If a notice is given by reason of two or all of the requirements in section 212(4)
being met, the denied advantage is to be determined as if the notice were given
by virtue of such one of them as is stated in the notice as being used for this
30purpose.

(6) In this section a reference to an assessment to tax, in relation to inheritance tax,
is to a determination.

215 Representations about a notice

(1) This section applies where an accelerated payment notice has been given under
35section 212 (and not withdrawn).

(2) P has 90 days beginning with the day that notice is given to send written
representations to HMRC—

(a) objecting to the notice on the grounds that Condition A, B or C in
section 212 was not met, or

(b) 40objecting to the amount specified in the notice under section 213(2)(b)
or section 214(2)(b).

(3) HMRC must consider any representations made in accordance with subsection
(2).