HMRC have powers enabling them to obtain up-front payment of tax where a taxpayer is a ‘follower’ or has entered into a tax avoidance arrangement.
Background
When the court or tribunal issues a ruling that potentially resolves a large number of cases, many ‘followers’ (i.e. taxpayers with similar circumstances) agree to settle, but some do not. They argue that small differences in the arrangements mean that the decision does not apply to them. HMRC will issue a follower notice to such taxpayers requesting them to settle the liability they believe is due.
Alongside the ‘follower’ rules are the accelerated payment rules, which require recipients of an accelerated payment notice (APN) to pay the disputed tax and/or NICs. So, if a person is given a follower notice and an APN and decides not to settle their dispute as requested by the follower notice, they will be required to pay the disputed amount to HMRC under the accelerated payment rules.
HMRC also issue APNs to taxpayers involved in avoidance schemes disclosed under the disclosure of tax avoidance schemes (DOTAS) rules, or counteracted under the general anti-abuse rule (GAAR). The broad effect of the notice is that the Exchequer holds on to the tax during the dispute period, so removing any cashflow advantage enjoyed by the taxpayer.
Conditions
HMRC may issue a follower notice if the following four conditions are satisfied:
Condition A: there must be an enquiry in progress into a tax return or claim made by the taxpayer and there must be a ‘live’ appeal with HMRC or the Tribunal;
Condition B: the return, claim or appeal must be made on the basis that particular tax arrangements lead to tax advantages;
Condition C: HMRC are of the opinion that there is a judicial ruling, which is relevant to the chosen arrangements. In addition, any follower notice must be given within 12 months of the later of:
- the date the claim, return or appeal was received; or
- the date the relevant judicial ruling was made;
Condition D: no previous follower notice has been given to the same person in the same circumstances.
Follow the leader?
When a person is served with a follower notice, they have 90 days from the date of the notice within which to make representations in writing to HMRC objecting to the notice on the grounds that:
(a) conditions A, B or D above are not met;
(b) the judicial ruling specified in the notice is not relevant to the arrangements entered into; or
(c) the notice was given outside the 12-month statutory limit.
HMRC must consider the representations taking into account the grounds for objection. HMRC must then decide whether to confirm (with or without amendment) or withdraw the notice and notify the taxpayer accordingly. It is important to note that there is no right to appeal against a follower notice, and therefore the only way in which to challenge a HMRC decision is by making an application for judicial review.
APNs
Broadly, HMRC may issue an APN where one or more of the following conditions are satisfied:
- a follower notice has been issued;
- a DOTAS notifiable arrangement has been used; or
- they are subject to a GAAR counteraction notice.
APNs should not be ignored - anyone receiving a notice has 90 days to either pay the amount requested or make appropriate representations. Failure to act by the due date could lead to late payment penalties or surcharges becoming due and potential enforcement action being taken to recover the tax or NICs.
Practical Tip:
The APN will only cover the tax or NICs advantage relating to the specific avoidance scheme covered by the APN. The amount shown may not be the final liability agreed, which may be larger or smaller than the amount of the APN. It will not include any interest, penalties or other tax that may be due in the year. Therefore when the enquiry or appeal is finalised, there may be additional amounts to pay.
