Taxes Management Act 1970

[F1 20BB Falsification etc. of documents. U.K.

(1) Subject to subsections (2) to (4) below, a person shall be guilty of an offence if he intentionally falsifies, conceals, destroys or otherwise disposes of, or causes or permits the falsification, concealment, destruction or disposal of, a document which—

(a) he has been required by a notice under section F2 ... 20A above [F3 or an order under section 20BA above], or

(b) he has been given an opportunity in accordance with section 20B(1) above,

to deliver, or to deliver or make available for inspection.

(2) A person does not commit an offence under subsection (1) above if he acts—

(a) with the written permission of [F4 the tribunal], the inspector or an officer of the Board,

(b) after the document has been delivered F5 ... , or

(c) after a copy has been delivered in accordance with section 20B(4) or (14) above and the original has been inspected.

(3) A person does not commit an offence under subsection (1)(a) above if he acts after the end of the period of two years beginning with the date on which the notice is given [F6 or the order is made], unless before the end of that period the inspector or an officer of the Board has notified the person in writing that the notice [F7 or order] has not been complied with to his satisfaction.

(4) A person does not commit an offence under subsection (1)(b) above if he acts—

(a) after the date of the period of six months beginning with the date on which an opportunity to deliver the document was given, or

(b) after an application for consent to a notice being given in relation to the document has been refused.

(5) A person guilty of an offence under subsection (1) above shall be liable—

(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding the statutory maximum;

(b) on conviction on indictment, to imprisonment for a term not exceeding two years or to a fine or both.]

Textual Amendments

F1 S. 20BB inserted by Finance Act 1989 s. 145(1)(2) in relation to any falsification, concealment, destruction or disposal of a document occurring on or after 27 July 1989.

F2 Words in s. 20BB(1)(a) omitted (1.4.2009) by virtue of Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), s. 113(2), Sch. 36 para. 69(2) (with Sch. 36 para. 38); S.I. 2009/404, art. 2 (with art. 4)

F3 Words in s. 20BB(1)(a) inserted (28.7.2000) by Finance Act 2000 (c. 17), s. 149(3)(a)

F4 Words in s. 20BB(2)(a) substituted (1.4.2009) by The Transfer of Tribunal Functions and Revenue and Customs Appeals Order 2009 (S.I. 2009/56), art. 1(2), Sch. 1 para. 11

F5 Words in s. 20BB(2)(b) omitted (1.4.2009) by virtue of Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), s. 113(2), Sch. 36 para. 69(3) (with Sch. 36 para. 38); S.I. 2009/404, art. 2 (with art. 4)

F6 Words in s. 20BB(3) inserted (28.7.2000) by Finance Act 2000 (c. 17), s. 149(3)(b)

F7 Words in s. 20BB(3) inserted (28.7.2000) by Finance Act 2000 (c. 17), s. 149(3)(c)

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 20BB applied (with modifications) (31.7.1997) by Finance (No. 2) Act 1997 (c. 58), Sch. 2 para. 13(1)(2)

C2 S. 20BB applied (E.W.) (1.4.2000) by Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) Regulations 2000 (S.I. 2000/944), regs. 1(1), 44(3)

C3 S. 20BB applied (N.I.) (1.4.2000) by The Education (Student Loans) (Repayment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2000 (S.R. 2000/121), regs. 1, 44(3)

C4 S. 20BB applied (1.8.2002 for specified purposes) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), ss. 36(1), 61; S.I. 2002/1727, art. 2

C5 Ss. 20B, 20BB applied (with modifications) (6.4.2003) by Tax Credits Act 2002 (c. 21), s. 25(3)(4), 61; S.I. 2002/1727, art. 2

C6 S. 20BB applied (with modifications) by Social Security Administration Act 1992 (c. 5), s. 110ZA (as substituted (6.4.2005) by National Insurance Contributions and Statutory Payments Act 2004 (c. 3), ss. 7, 13; S.I. 2004/1943, art. 4(a))

C7 S. 20BB applied (with modifications) by Social Security Administration (Northern Ireland) Act 1992 (c. 8), s. 104ZA (as substituted (6.4.2005) by National Insurance Contributions and Statutory Payments Act 2004 (c. 3), ss. 8, 13; S.I. 2004/1943, art. 4(b))