#counter avoidance

Counter Avoidance: HMRC’s Serial Avoiders Unit taking action

David Richardson, the director of HMRC’s Counter Avoidance Directorate, has been setting out an increased pace of scrutiny and investigation into participants in tax avoidance schemes. In letters recently issued, he writes: ‘The Serial Avoiders Unit (SAU) within Counter Avoidance concentrates on serial avoiders – those whose participation in multiple, convoluted schemes demands urgent and…

The Counter Avoidance Team within HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) is sending out Accelerated Payment Notices (APN) to users of EBT avoidance schemes. As at 13 March 2015, HMRC had already issued 7,712 notices with a value of £1.6bn.

A typical APN will read as follows:

Accelerated payment notice

Issued under Part 4, Chapter 3 of the Finance Act 2014

Notice for the year ended 5 April 20xx

Amount due in…

Users of EBT tax avoidance schemes only have two days left to decide whether to register an interest in settling outstanding tax enquiries and assessments with HMRC, or face litigation and a tribunal hearing. The EBT Settlement Opportunity (EBTSO) closes on Tuesday 31 March and along with it the chance to reach a settlement on beneficial terms.

Earlier this month, the Counter Avoidance…

HMRC’s Counter Avoidance Team turns up the heat on contractors

Whilst it may be colder outside as winter descends in earnest across the UK, HMRC has decided to turn up the heat on contractors who have continued to participate in alleged tax avoidance arrangements.

In July earlier this year, HMRC launched the Contractor Loan Settlement Opportunity (CLSO) and started writing to contractors who signed a contract of employment with an offshore company or trust,…