Finance Bill (HL Bill 123)

continued    Part 8 continued    

Notifying appeal to tribunal after appellant has required review

41(1)Where HMRC have notified an appellant under paragraph 37(1)(a) of their
view of a matter to which an appeal under paragraph 33 relates, the
appellant—

(a)5may not notify the appeal to the tribunal before the beginning of the
post-review period;

(b)may notify the appeal to the tribunal after the end of that period only
if the tribunal gives permission.

(2)Except where sub-paragraph (3) applies, the post-review period is the
10period of 30 days beginning with the date of the document in which HMRC
give notice of the conclusions of the review in accordance with paragraph
39(6).

(3)If the period specified in paragraph 39(6) ends without HMRC having given
notice of the conclusions of the review, the post-review period is the period
15that—

(a)begins with the day following the last day of the period specified in
paragraph 39(6), and

(b)ends 30 days after the date of the document in which HMRC give
notice of the conclusions of the review in accordance with paragraph
2039(9).

Notifying appeal to tribunal after HMRC have offered review

42(1)Where HMRC have offered to review the matter to which a notice of an
appeal under paragraph 33 relates, the right of the appellant at any time to
notify the appeal to the tribunal depends on whether or not the appellant has
25accepted the offer at that time.

(2)If the appellant has accepted the offer, the appellant—

(a)may not notify the appeal to the tribunal before the beginning of the
post-review period;

(b)may notify the appeal to the tribunal after the end of that period only
30if the tribunal gives permission.

(3)If the appellant has not accepted the offer, the appellant—

(a)may notify the appeal to the tribunal within the acceptance period;

(b)may notify the appeal to the tribunal after the end of that period only
if the tribunal gives permission.

(4)35In this paragraph—

(a)“acceptance period” has the same meaning as in paragraph 38;

(b)“post-review period” has the same meaning as in paragraph 41.

Interpretation of paragraphs 36 to 42

43(1)In paragraphs 36 to 42—

(a)40“matter in question” means the matter to which an appeal relates;

(b) a reference to a notification is to a notification in writing.

(2)In paragraphs 36 to 42, a reference to the appellant includes a person acting
on behalf of the appellant except in relation to—

(a)notification of HMRC’s view under paragraph 37(1)(a);

(b)notification by HMRC of an offer of review (and of their view of the
matter) under paragraph 38;

(c)notification of the conclusions of a review under paragraph 39(6) or
(9).

(3)5But if a notification falling within any of paragraphs (a) to (c) of sub-
paragraph (2) is given to the appellant, a copy of the notification may also be
given to a person acting on behalf of the appellant.

Settling of appeals by agreement

44(1)In relation to an appeal of which notice has been given under paragraph 34,
10“settlement agreement” means an agreement in writing between the
appellant and an officer of Revenue and Customs that is—

(a)entered into before the appeal is determined, and

(b)to the effect that the decision appealed against should be upheld
without variation, varied in a particular manner or discharged or
15cancelled.

(2)Where a settlement agreement is entered into in relation to an appeal, the
consequences are to be the same (for all purposes) as if, at the time the
agreement was entered into, the tribunal had decided the appeal and had
upheld the decision without variation, varied it in that manner or
20discharged or cancelled it, as the case may be.

(3)Sub-paragraph (2) does not apply if, within 30 days beginning with the date
on which the settlement agreement was entered into, the appellant gives
notice in writing to HMRC that it wishes to withdraw from the agreement.

(4)Sub-paragraph (5) applies where notice of an appeal has been given under
25paragraph 34 and—

(a)the appellant notifies HMRC, orally or in writing, that the appellant
does not wish to proceed with the appeal, and

(b)HMRC do not, within 30 days after that notification, give the
appellant notice in writing indicating that they are unwilling that the
30appeal should be withdrawn.

(5)Sub-paragraphs (1) to (3) have effect as if, at the date of the appellant’s
notification, the appellant and an officer of Revenue and Customs had
agreed that the decision under appeal should be upheld without variation.

Appeal does not postpone recovery of tax

45(1)35Where there is an appeal under paragraph 33, the tax in question remains
due and payable as if there had been no appeal.

(2)That is subject to paragraphs 46 and 47.

Application for payment of tax to be postponed

46(1)If the appellant has grounds for believing that the amendment or assessment
40overcharges a relevant person to tax, the appellant may—

(a)first apply by notice in writing to HMRC within 30 days after the
specified date for a determination by them of the amount of tax the
payment of which should be postponed pending the determination
of the appeal, and

(b)if the appellant does not agree with a determination made by HMRC
under paragraph (a), refer the application for postponement to the
tribunal within 30 days from the date of the document notifying
HMRC’s determination.

5An application under paragraph (a) must state the amount believed to be
overcharged to tax and the grounds for that belief.

(2)An application under sub-paragraph (1) may be made more than 30 days
after the specified date if there is a change in the circumstances of the case as
a result of which the appellant has grounds for believing that the relevant
10person is overcharged to tax by the decision appealed against.

(3)If, after an application under sub-paragraph (1) has been determined, there
is a change in the circumstances of the case as a result of which either party
has grounds for believing that the amount determined has become either
excessive or insufficient, that party may (if the parties cannot agree on a
15revised determination) apply to the tribunal for a revised determination of
that amount.

(4)An application under sub-paragraph (3) may be made at any time before the
determination of the appeal.

(5)Paragraphs 35 (late notice of appeal) and 44 (settling of appeals by
20agreement) apply to an application under this paragraph as they apply to an
appeal under paragraph 33, subject to any necessary modifications.

(6)The amount of tax of which payment is to be postponed pending the
determination of the appeal is the amount (if any) by which it appears that
there are reasonable grounds for believing that the relevant person is
25overcharged.

(7)A decision of the tribunal under this paragraph is final and conclusive
(despite the provisions of sections 11 and 13 of the Tribunals, Courts and
Enforcement Act 2007).

(8)In this paragraph “specified date” has the meaning given by paragraph 34.

30Agreement to postpone payment of tax

47(1)If the appellant and HMRC agree that payment of an amount of tax should
be postponed pending the determination of the appeal, the consequences are
to be the same (for all purposes) as if the tribunal had, at the time when the
agreement was entered into, made a direction to the same effect as the
35agreement.

This is without prejudice to the making of a further agreement or further
direction.

(2)Where the agreement is not in writing—

(a)sub-paragraph (1) does not apply unless the fact that an agreement
40was entered into, and the terms agreed, are confirmed by notice in
writing given by HMRC to the appellant or by the appellant to
HMRC, and

(b)the reference in sub-paragraph (1) to the time when the agreement
was entered into is to be read as a reference to the time when notice
45of confirmation was given.

(3)References in this paragraph to an agreement being entered into with an
appellant, and to the giving of notice to or by the appellant, include
references to an agreement being entered into, or notice being given to or by,
a person acting on behalf of the appellant in relation to the appeal.

5Assessments and self-assessments

48(1)This paragraph applies where an appeal under paragraph 33 has been
notified to the tribunal.

(2)If the tribunal decides that a relevant person is overcharged by a self-
assessment or any other assessment, the assessment must be reduced
10accordingly.

(3)If the tribunal decides that a relevant person is undercharged to tax by a self-
assessment or any other assessment, the assessment must be increased
accordingly.

(4)In a case where neither sub-paragraph (2) or (3) apply, the assessment is to
15stand good.

Payment of tax where appeal has been determined

49(1)This paragraph applies where an appeal under paragraph 33 has been
notified to the tribunal.

(2)On the determination of the appeal, any tax overpaid must be repaid.

(3)20On the determination of the appeal, section 51 has effect in relation to any
relevant tax.

(4)The reference to “relevant tax” is to any tax payable in accordance with the
determination, so far as it is tax—

(a)the payment of which had been postponed, or

(b)25which would not have been charged by the amendment or
assessment if there had been no appeal.

Payment of tax where there is a further appeal

50(1)Where a party to an appeal to the tribunal under paragraph 33 makes a
further appeal, tax is to be payable or repayable in accordance with the
30determination of the tribunal or court (as the case may be), even though the
further appeal is pending.

(2)But if the amount charged by the assessment is altered by the order or
judgment of the Upper Tribunal or court, then—

(a)if too much tax has been paid, the amount overpaid must be
35refunded, with any interest allowed by the order or judgment, and

(b)if too little tax has been charged, section 51 has effect in relation to the
amount undercharged.

Tribunal determinations

51The determination of the tribunal in relation to any proceedings under this
40Part of this Schedule is final and conclusive except as otherwise provided in
sections 9 to 14 of the Tribunals, Courts and Enforcement Act 2007 (or in this
Part of this Act).

Part 9 Penalties

Failure to deliver return: flat-rate penalty

52(1)A person who is required to file a DST return and fails to do so by the filing
5date is liable to a penalty under this paragraph.

The person may also be liable to a penalty under paragraph 53 (tax-related
penalties).

(2)The penalty is—

(a)£100, if the return is delivered within 3 months after the filing date;

(b)10£200, in any other case.

(3)The amounts are increased to £500 and £1000 (respectively) for a third
successive failure.

(4)For this purpose, a “third successive failure” occurs where—

(a)the duty under section 56 (duty to file returns) applies in relation to
15a group for 3 successive accounting periods,

(b)a person was liable to a penalty under this paragraph in respect of
each of the first 2 accounting periods, and

(c)a person is liable to a penalty under this paragraph in respect of the
third accounting period.

20Failure to deliver return: tax-related penalty

53(1)A person who is required to file a DST return for an accounting period and
fails to do so within 18 months from the end of that period is liable to a
penalty under this paragraph.

This is in addition to any penalty under paragraph 52 (flat-rate penalty).

(2)25The penalty is—

(a)10% of the unpaid tax, if the return is filed within 2 years from the
end of the accounting period;

(b)20% of the unpaid tax, in any other case.

(3)The “unpaid tax” means the total amount of tax payable by members of the
30group for the accounting period which remains unpaid on the date when the
liability to the penalty under this paragraph arises.

Failure to deliver a return: reasonable excuse

54(1)Liability to a penalty under paragraph 52 or 53 in relation to a failure to make
a return does not arise if the person (“P”) satisfies HMRC or (on appeal) the
35tribunal that there is a reasonable excuse for the failure.

(2)For that purpose—

(a)an insufficiency of funds is not a reasonable excuse,

(b)where P relies on any other person to do anything, that is not a
reasonable excuse unless P took reasonable care to avoid the failure,
40and

(c)where P had a reasonable excuse for the failure but the excuse has
ceased, P is to be treated as having continued to have the excuse if the

failure is remedied without unreasonable delay after the excuse
ceased.

Failure to keep and preserve records: penalty

55(1)A person who fails to comply with paragraph 4 in relation to an accounting
5period is liable to a penalty not exceeding £3,000, subject to the following
exception.

(2)No penalty is incurred if HMRC are satisfied that any facts which they
reasonably require to be proved, and which would have been proved by the
records, are proved by other documentary evidence provided to HMRC.

10Assessment of penalty, etc

56(1)If a person is liable to a penalty under this Part of this Schedule, HMRC
must—

(a)assess the penalty, and

(b)notify the person.

(2)15The assessment of a penalty—

(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 Schedule),

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

(c)20may be combined with an assessment to tax.

(3)A supplementary assessment may be made in respect of a penalty if an
earlier assessment is based on an amount of tax due and payable that is
found by HMRC to be an underestimate or insufficient.

(4)Sub-paragraph (5) applies if—

(a)25an assessment in respect of a penalty is based on a liability to tax that
would have been shown in a return, and

(b)that liability is found by HMRC to be excessive.

(5)HMRC may by notice amend the assessment so it is based on the correct
amount.

(6)30An amendment under sub-paragraph (5)—

(a)does not affect when the penalty must be paid;

(b)may be made after the last day on which the assessment in question
could have been made (under sub-paragraph (7)).

(7)An assessment of a penalty must be made before the end of the period of 12
35months beginning with—

(a)the end of the appeal period for the assessment of the liability to tax
which would have been shown in the return, or

(b)if there is no such assessment, the date on which that liability is
ascertained or it is ascertained that the liability is nil.

(8)40In sub-paragraph (7) “appeal period” means the period during which—

(a)an appeal could be brought, or

(b)an appeal that has been brought has not been determined or
withdrawn.

(9)A penalty must be paid before the end of the period of 30 days beginning
with the day on which notification of the penalty is issued.

Special reduction

57(1)If HMRC think it right because of special circumstances, they may reduce a
5penalty under this Part of this Schedule.

(2)In sub-paragraph (1) “special circumstances” does not include—

(a)ability to pay, or

(b)the fact that a potential loss of revenue from one taxpayer is balanced
by a potential over-payment by another.

(3)10In sub-paragraph (1) the reference to reducing a penalty includes a reference
to—

(a)staying a penalty, and

(b)agreeing a compromise in relation to proceedings in respect of a
penalty.

15Right to appeal against penalty

58A person may appeal against—

(a)a decision of HMRC that a penalty under this Part of this Schedule is
payable by the person, or

(b)a decision of HMRC as to the amount of any such penalty.

20Procedure on appeal against penalty

59(1)Part 8 of this Schedule (apart from paragraphs 33, 45 to 47, and 49) applies
in relation to an appeal under paragraph 58 as it applies in relation to an
appeal under paragraph 33.

(2)On an appeal under paragraph 58, payment of the penalty is postponed
25pending determination of the appeal.

(3)On an appeal under paragraph 58(a) that is notified to the tribunal, the
tribunal may confirm or cancel the decision.

(4)On an appeal under paragraph 58(b) that is notified to the tribunal, the
tribunal may—

(a)30confirm the decision, or

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

(5)If the tribunal substitutes its decision for HMRC’s, the tribunal may rely on
paragraph 57—

(a)35to the same extent as HMRC (which may mean applying the same
percentage reduction as HMRC to a different starting point), or

(b)to a different extent, but only if the tribunal thinks that HMRC’s
decision in respect of the application of that paragraph was flawed.

(6)In sub-paragraph (5)(b) “flawed” means flawed when considered in the light
40of the principles applicable in proceedings for judicial review.

(7)On determination of an appeal under paragraph 58, where a penalty is
payable it is to be paid before the end of 30 days beginning with the day on
which the determination was issued.

Payments in respect of penalties

60(1)5This paragraph applies if—

(a)a person liable to a penalty under this Part of this Schedule has an
agreement in relation to the penalty with one or more companies
within the charge to corporation tax, and

(b)as a result of the agreement, the person receives a payment or
10payments in respect of the penalty that do not, in total, exceed the
amount of the penalty.

(2)The payment—

(a)is not to be taken into account in calculating the profits for
corporation tax purposes of either the person or the company
15making the payment, and

(b)is not to be regarded as a distribution for corporation tax purposes.

Section 66

Schedule 9 DST payment notices

Introduction

1(1)20This Schedule applies where a payment notice has been given to a person
(“the recipient”).

(2)In this Schedule—

• “DST liability”, “payment notice” and “relevant person” have the same
  meaning as in section 66;

• 25“relevant liability” means any DST liability in relation to the group for
  the accounting period.

Payment notice: effect

2(1)For the purposes of the recovery from the recipient of any unpaid digital
services tax, penalty or interest (including interest accruing after the date of
30the payment notice) the recipient is treated as if—

(a)any relevant liability of a person other than the recipient were a
liability of the recipient (“the deemed liability”),

(b)the deemed liability became due and payable when the relevant
liability became due and payable, and

(c)35any payments made in respect of the relevant liability were made in
respect of the deemed liability.

(2)Nothing in this paragraph gives the recipient a right to appeal against any
assessment, determination or other decision giving rise to a relevant liability
(or against the deemed liability).

Payment notice: appeals

3(1)The recipient may appeal against the notice, within the period of 30 days
beginning with the date on which it is given, on the ground that the person
is not a relevant person.

(2)5Where an appeal is made, anything required by the notice to be paid is due
and payable as if there had been no appeal.

Payment notices: effect of making payment etc

4(1)If the recipient pays any amount in pursuance of the notice the recipient may
recover that amount from the person liable to pay it.

(2)10In calculating the recipient’s income, profits or losses for any tax purposes—

(a)a payment in pursuance of the notice is not allowed as a deduction,
and

(b)the reimbursement of any such payment is not regarded as a receipt.

(3)Any amount paid by the recipient in pursuance of the notice is to be taken
15into account in calculating—

(a)the amount unpaid, and

(b)the amount due by virtue of any other payment notice relating to the
amount unpaid.

(4)Similarly, any payment by the person liable to pay it of any of the amount
20unpaid is to be taken into account in calculating the amount due by virtue of
the payment notice (or by virtue of any other payment notice relating to the
amount unpaid).

Section 70

Schedule 10 Digital services tax: minor and consequential amendments

25Provisional Collection of Taxes Act 1968

1In section 1(1) of the Provisional Collection of Taxes Act 1968 (temporary
statutory effect of House of Commons resolutions affecting income tax etc)
after “the apprenticeship levy,” insert “digital services tax,”.

FA 1989

2(1)30Section 178(2) of FA 1989 (setting of interest rates) is amended as follows.

(2)Omit the “and” at the end of paragraph (u).

(3)After paragraph (v) insert—

“(w)sections 67 and 68 of the Finance Act 2020.”

FA 2007

3(1)35Schedule 24 to FA 2007 (penalties for errors) is amended as follows.

(2)In paragraph 1, in the table after the entry relating to accounts in connection

with ascertaining liability to corporation tax insert—

FA 2008

45FA 2008 is amended as follows.

5(1)Schedule 36 (information and inspection powers) is amended as follows.

(2)In paragraph 63(1) after paragraph (cb) insert—

“(cc)digital services tax,”.

6(1)Schedule 41 (penalties for failure to notify etc) is amended as follows.

(2)10In paragraph 1, in the table after the entry relating to diverted profits tax
insert—

(3)In paragraph 7 after sub-paragraph (4A) insert—

“(4B)In the case of a relevant obligation relating to digital services tax
and an accounting period, the potential lost revenue is so much of
any digital services tax payable by members of the group for the
20accounting period as by reason of the failure is unpaid 12 months
after the end of the accounting period.”

Section 89

Schedule 11 Private pleasure craft

Amendments of HODA 1979

125HODA 1979 is amended as follows.

2In section 6AB(4A) after “vehicles” insert “etc”.

3(1)Section 12 is amended as follows.

(2)In subsection (1) after “vehicle” insert “or as fuel for propelling a private
pleasure craft”.

(3)30After subsection (2) insert—

“(2A)For provision relating to private pleasure craft that corresponds to
subsection (2), and for the meaning of “private pleasure craft”, see
section 14E.”