Have a question?
033 3772 0409

Legal News

Enablers of tax evasion to face tough new penalty (18 August 2016)

Date: 18/08/2016
Duncan Lewis, Legal News Solicitors, Enablers of tax evasion to face tough new penalty

The government has announced that financial advisers who facilitate tax evasion and tax avoidance will face tougher penalties.

Under the plans set out in an HMRC consultation document issued on Wednesday (17/08/16), enablers of tax avoidance could have to pay a fine of up to 100% of the tax underpaid.

Tax avoiders currently face significant financial costs when HMRC defeats them in court.

However, those who have advised on or facilitated the avoidance have little risk of facing penalties.

The government says that it is acting to make sure that tax avoidance is rooted out at source – and the new measure will target all those in the supply chain of tax avoidance arrangements.

Financial Secretary to the Treasury Jane Ellison said:

“People who peddle tax avoidance schemes deny the country of vital tax revenue – and this government is determined to make sure they pay.

“The vast majority of their schemes don’t work – and can land their users in court facing large tax bills and other costs.

“These tough new sanctions will make would-be enablers think twice and, in turn, reduce the number of schemes on the market.”

The consultation document also clarifies the rules around whether proven tax avoiders have taken reasonable care to ensure their tax returns do not contain inaccuracies – making it simpler to enforce penalties when avoidance schemes are defeated.

The government has already introduced a number of measures to tackle illicit finance and tax dodging, including a new criminal offence for corporations which fail to prevent the facilitation of tax evasion – and new sanctions against those who engage in multiple avoidance schemes which are defeated by HMRC.

Duncan Lewis Business Crime Solicitors

Duncan Lewis business crime solicitors can advise at any stage of a charge involving business offences, including investment fraud, false accounting, tax and VAT evasion, embezzlement, Ponzi schemes, pyramid schemes, IT crime and white collar crime.

There are Duncan Lewis offices nationwide and in most major cities – and a Duncan Lewis business crime solicitor can advise at the start of an investigation or before an investigation, or before charges are brought.

Our specialist business crime team can also liaise with investigating and prosecuting authorities, such as Insolvency Service, SFO, FCA, BIS, HMRC and City of London Police.

Duncan Lewis can also advise on Confiscation Orders under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA).

For expert legal advice on business offences, call Duncan Lewis business crime solicitors on 0333 772 0409.

Call us now on 033 3772 0409 or click here to send online enquiry.
Duncan Lewis is the trading name of Duncan Lewis (Solicitors) Limited. Registered Office is Spencer House, 29 Grove Hill Road, Harrow, HA1 3BN. Company Reg. No. 3718422. VAT Reg. No. 718729013. A list of the company's Directors is displayed at the registered offices address. Authorised and Regulated by the Solicitors Regulation Authority . Offices all across London and in major cities in the UK. ©Duncan Lewis >>Legal Disclaimer, Copyright & Privacy Policy. Duncan Lewis do not accept service by email.