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Part 1: Top 5 corporate crime enforcement trends for the year ahead
As we commence a new year in the midst of unprecedented global challenges, here is our take on the key financial crime risks and trends you need to be aware of in 2021.
Read moreIs the current law on corporate criminal liability about to get more teeth?
On 3rd November 2020, the Government published its long-awaited response to its January 2017 call for evidence on the question of reforming the law on corporate liability for economic crime. The Government found the evidence inconclusive overall, so it has asked the Law Commission to draft an Options Paper, to assess how effective the current law is relating to corporate criminal liability and where improvements can be made.
Read moreNew SFO guide to DPAs: material change, or confirmation of approach?
Last week, the Serious Fraud Office (SFO) published a comprehensive guide to its approach to Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs).
Read moreUKCA Marking: Updated Guidance
As the end of the Brexit implementation period draws closer, the UK Government has sought to clarify the changes that will follow. On 1 September 2020 they published the long-awaited guidance on the use of UKCA marking following the withdrawal of the previously issued advice earlier this year.
Read moreMedical Devices Regulation on the horizon
The EU Regulation on Medical Devices 2017/745 (the MDR) had been due to become fully applicable on 26 May 2020.
Read moreAudit market: From recommendations to reforms
The Brydon Report on audit quality and effectiveness was released on 18 December 2019. The Report sets out recommendations for “urgent reform” in order to increase public confidence and seek to prevent unnecessary corporate failures.
Read moreSMCR: The tricky implementation phase
The Senior Managers and Certification Regime (SMCR) came into force for all financial services firms solo-regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) on 9 December 2019. The SMCR replaces the previous APER regime under which the FCA had oversight of the individuals working in the financial services industry. There is a one year implementation period for firms to make the changes required by the SMCR, which expires on 9 December 2020.
Read moreCOVID-19: The Dairy Sector and Welsh health services granted temporary UK competition law exemptions and the European Commission issues first 'Comfort Letter' to Pharmaceutical Manufacturers
The UK Government has granted a temporary competition law exemption for certain collaboration within the dairy sector and Welsh health services and the European Commission has published its first 'comfort letter' to allow co-operation to ensure supplies of medicines for COVID-19 patients.
Read moreRegulated Activities Order amendments for the new Bounce Back Loan Scheme
On 1 May 2020, the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Regulated Activities) (Coronavirus) (Amendment) Order 2020 was published and came into force on 4 May 2020.
Read moreCOVID-19: What is the CMA's current approach to UK merger assessment?
The CMA has been adapting its working practices to react to the ongoing challenges of a change in working environment that has an impact on almost all businesses.
Read moreCOVID-19: Coronavirus and Competition Law - The Current Enforcement Scene
Read moreCOVID-19: CMA provides guidance to business on its approach to co-operation in response to the pandemic
Businesses, which do not benefit from the specific competition law exemptions granted by the Secretary of State (in the groceries, Solent Ferries and healthcare services sectors), may co-operate without fear of enforcement action by the Competition and Markets Authority (the "CMA"), provided that this co-operation is undertaken "solely to address concerns arising from the current crisis and does not go further or last longer than what is necessary".
Read moreUpper Tribunal confirms that anti-abuse provision in UK/Ireland double tax treaty did not apply
In HMRC v Burlington Loan Management DAC [2024] UKUT 152 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal held that the anti-abuse rule in the UK/Ireland double tax treaty did not apply to deny the withholding exemption, when a Cayman Islands company assigned the benefit of a debt to an Irish company.
Read moreUpper Tribunal confirms it’s the end of the road for HMRC's "fishing expedition"
In the recent Hitchins case, the Upper Tribunal confirmed that it was the end of the road for HMRC's "fishing expedition" and ordered it to close its enquiries.
Read moreClosure notices and the appeals process
In this article we consider the process by which a taxpayer can bring a protracted HMRC enquiry to and end and appeal against a closure notice issued by HMRC.
Read moreHNWs: Understanding HMRC's Offshore Information Gathering Capabilities
Wealthy individuals have long been the focus of a substantial part of HMRC’s compliance activities, but a difficult economic climate together with a looming general election and possible change of government is likely to lead to even greater scrutiny of HNWs by HMRC in the short term.
Read moreTribunal confirms no tax due on disposal of property held on trust for taxpayer's brother
In Raveendran v HMRC [2024] UKFTT 273 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal allowed the taxpayer's appeal against HMRC's discovery assessment in relation to the disposal of a property because it was held on trust for his brother.
Read moreTribunal confirms loans from remuneration trust were disguised remuneration
In allowing HMRC's appeal in part, the Upper Tribunal determined that payments received under a remuneration trust scheme were caught by the anti-avoidance provisions in Part 7A of the Income Tax (Earnings and Pensions) Act 2003.
Read moreDealing with HMRC information notices
Considering three common types of HMRC information notices and the extent to which they can be challenged.
Read moreTribunal awards taxpayer his costs due to HMRC's unreasonable conduct
In Aftab Ahmed v HMRC [2024] UKFTT 00236 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal granted the taxpayer's application for costs as HMRC had acted unreasonably in defending the appeal.
Read moreTribunal allows entrepreneurs' relief appeal
In Cooke v HMRC [2024] UKFTT 272 (TC), the FTT allowed the taxpayer's appeal against HMRC's refusal of entrepreneurs' relief
Read moreTribunal dismisses HMRC's appeal and confirms transactions did not give rise to a taxable remittance
In dismissing HMRC's appeal, the Upper Tribunal confirmed that transactions entered into by the taxpayers for the sale of shares did not amount to a taxable remittance under section 809L of the Income Tax Act 2007 because no service was provided in the UK.
Read moreKey features of the new non-UK domicile regime
The UK government's unexpected announcement in Spring Budget in March on the taxation of non-domicile individuals has sparked concerns and much comment. It represents a major change to the current system of taxation, which is more than 200 years old.
Read moreTaxpayers' application for protective costs order against HMRC refused
UT dismisses taxpayer's application for a protective costs order against HMRC.
Read moreNo bouncing back for directors
Banned! Fraudsters! – Terms used by the Insolvency Service for directors who abused the government backed loan scheme which was put in place to help businesses struggling during the pandemic.
Read moreContentious Tax Update
Harry Smith and Adam Craggs examine developments in relation to DOTAS, R&D enquiries, and the Economic Crime and Transparency Act.
Read moreTribunal allows taxpayer's appeal in R&D case against penalty assessment for careless inaccuracy
In H & H Contract Scaffolding Ltd v HMRC [2024] UKFTT 00151 (TC), the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) allowed the taxpayer's appeal against a penalty assessment as the inaccuracy in the tax return was not careless.
Read moreContentious tax quarterly: Spring review
The last few months have seen a flurry of activity in relation to the DOTAS regime, with HMRC seeking to register arrangements retrospectively and apply substantial penalties for failure to register. Woes continue for those unfortunate enough to have R&D claims under enquiry, and the Economic Crime and Corporate Transparency Act 2023 gives HMRC a significant new tool in relation to suspected criminal activity by bodies corporate and partnerships.
Read moreCostly objection by HMRC
FTT allows costs application where HMRC acted unreasonably in opposing specific disclosure application.
Read moreLet us in!
Adam Craggs and Michelle Sloane explain what a business should do should HMRC come calling unexpectedly.
Read moreAre you ready for the Economic Crime Levy?
On 28 February 2023, HM Treasury published draft regulations, together with an explanatory memorandum, that revise and make further provision for assessment, payment, collection, and enforcement of the Economic Crime Levy (ECL).
Read moreCouldn’t careless? Reasonable care and the role of professional advisers
Whilst taking professional advice will usually mean a taxpayer has taken reasonable care, not taking advice does not necessarily mean a taxpayer has been careless.
Read moreVictory – but at what cost?
From a review of recent costs decisions handed down by the FTT, it is difficult to escape the conclusion that the FTT can be guilty of inconsistency and results-led reasoning when exercising its jurisdiction in relation to costs orders.
Read moreTribunal allows taxpayer's appeal and confirms its holding in another company constituted a "structural asset"
Tribunal allows taxpayer's appeal and confirms its holding in another insurance company constituted a "structural asset" for the purpose of section 137, Finance Act 2012.
Read moreUpper Tribunal agrees with the taxpayer on payments to secure changes to pension arrangements
The Upper Tribunal allowed E.ON's appeal against HMRC's decisions imposing income tax and national insurance contributions to facilitation payments for changes to pension arrangements.
Read moreLack of documentary evidence no bar to proving capital loss claim
Allowing the taxpayers' appeal, the First-tier Tribunal held the Appellant was entitled to claim a capital loss from an earlier tax year to reduce the capital gains tax due on a gain realised by him on the sale of a commercial property because the claim was notified in time, and that inaccuracies in the Appellant's return had not been brought about deliberately.
Read moreHMRC's Ramsay argument fails
HMRC loses capital allowances case as Ramsay argument fails.
Read moreTribunal considers salaried member rules for the first-time and allows taxpayer's appeal in part
Tribunal considers salaried members rules for the first-time allowing taxpayer's appeal in part
Read moreNew powers proposed to enable law enforcement agencies to seize crypto assets
On 22 September, the UK government introduced The Economic Crime Bill. The Bill contains provisions to make it quicker and easier for law enforcement agencies, such as the National Crime Agency, to seize, freeze and recover cryptoassets used by criminals to launder the proceeds of crime.
Read moreValuing leasehold interests in trade-related properties using profits method does not involve disaggregation of property value and "transferable goodwill"
Valuing leasehold interests in trade-related properties using profits method does not involve disaggregation of property value and "transferable goodwill".
Read moreRepeal of IR35 reforms
The Chancellor announced at last week's “mini-Budget” that the recent changes to the “off-payroll” working rules (commonly referred to as 'IR35') are going to be reversed, from 6 April 2023.
Read morePurpose-based rules: Have we hit BlackRock-bottom?
In HMRC v BlackRock Holdco 5 LLC [2022] UKUT 199 (TCC), the Upper Tribunal (UT) allowed HMRC’s appeal, holding that the First-tier Tribunal (FTT) was wrong to interpose certain terms (covenants) in loans when conducting its analysis of the counter-factual transaction as between the taxpayer and an unconnected third-party. It held that the FTT was wrong to attribute all of the loan debits arising to the taxpayer's commercial main purpose and should instead have arrived at the opposite conclusion.
Read moreHMRC made to cry a river over SEIS defeat
FTT holds in favour of taxpayer in technical SEIS / EIS relief decision.
Read moreTribunal upholds HMRC notice transferring debt from managed service company to its former director
Tribunal upholds HMRC notice transferring a debt from a managed service company to its former director.
Read moreTaxpayer successful in application for permission to rely on expert evidence
Taxpayer successful in application for permission to rely upon expert evidence.
Read moreAll settled!
Loan relationship appeal allowed as credit relating to settlement of litigation due to mis-selling of swaps did not arise from related transaction.
Read morePermission to appeal not required for successful party to a tax appeal
In dismissing the taxpayer's objection, the Upper Tribunal decided that HMRC, who had won before the First-tier Tribunal need not apply for permission to appeal in order to raise two new arguments in response to the taxpayer's appeal to the Upper Tribunal.
Read moreCapital Gains and Principal Residence Relief: What Makes a House?
Allowing the taxpayers' appeals, the First-tier Tribunal held that, for the purposes of calculating entitlement to Principal Residence Relief under sections 222 and 223 of the Taxation of Chargeable Gains Act 1992, "dwelling-house" did not include the land on which the house was built, and "period of ownership" referred only to the period of ownership of the dwelling-house itself.
Read moreTribunal confirms discovery assessment was invalid as enquiry window was still open
Tribunal allows taxpayer's appeal confirming that a discovery assessment raised under section 29 Taxes Management Act 1970, was invalid as the enquiry window was still open.
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