At a stakeholder meeting held on 21 September, HMRC confirmed that the policy intention behind its 17 August 2016 consultation on strengthening tax avoidance sanctions and deterrents is to change
future behaviour. It also indicated that the legislation would not be retrospective and that ‘the date at which any legislation would take effect will be decided by Ministers in due course within the usual policy making and legislative process.’
The consultation seeks views on proposals for sanctions for those who design, market or facilitate the use of tax avoidance arrangements that are defeated by HMRC, and aims to change the way the existing penalty regime works for those whose tax returns are found to be inaccurate as a result of using such
arrangements.
HMRC would welcome further responses before the deadline of 12 October 2016 at 11:45pm and, in particular, are keen to see examples of scenarios for consideration.
www.gov.uk/government/consultations/strengthening-tax-avoidance-sanctions-and-deterrents-discussion-document