Taxes Management Act 1970

33 Error or mistake. U.K.

(1) If any person who has paid tax charged under an assessment [F1 (whether under section 9 or 11AA of this Act or otherwise)] alleges that the assessment was excessive by reason of some error or mistake in a return, he may by notice in writing at any time not later than

[F2 (a) in the case of an assessment to income tax or capital gains tax, five years after the 31st January next following the year of assessment to which the return relates; and

(b) in the case of an assessment to corporation tax, six years after the end of the accounting period to which the return relates,]

make a claim to the Board for relief .

(2) On receiving the claim the Board shall inquire into the matter and shall, subject to the provisions of this section, give by way of repayment such relief F3 ... in respect of the error or mistake as is reasonable and just:

F4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

[F5 (2A) No relief shall be given under this section in respect of—

(a) an error or mistake as to the basis on which the liability of the claimant ought to have been computed where the return was in fact made on the basis or in accordance with the practice generally prevailing at the time when it was made; or

(b) an error or mistake in a claim which is included in the return.]

(3) In determining the claim the Board shall have regard to all the relevant circumstances of the case, and in particular shall consider whether the granting of relief would result in the exclusion from charge to tax of any part of the profits of the claimant, and for this purpose the Board may take into consideration the liability of the claimant and assessments made on him in respect of chargeable periods other than that to which the claim relates.

(4) If any appeal is brought from the decision of the Board on the claim the Special Commissioners shall hear and determine the appeal in accordance with the principles to be followed by the Board in determining claims under this section; and neither the appellant nor the Board shall be entitled to [F6 appeal under section 56A of this Act against the determination of the Special Commissioners except] on a point of law arising in connection with the computation of profits.

F7 (4A) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

(5) In this section“profits”—

(a) in relation to income tax, means income,

(b) in relation to capital gains tax, means chargeable gains,

(c) in relation to corporation tax, means profits as computed for the purposes of that tax.

F7 (d) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Textual Amendments

F1 Words in s. 33(1) inserted (with effect in accordance with s. 199(2)(3) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 1994 (c. 9), Sch. 19 para. 8(1)(a); S.I. 1998/3173, art. 2

F2 Words in s. 33(1) substituted (with effect in accordance with s. 199(2)(3) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 1994 (c. 9), Sch. 19 para. 8(1)(b); S.I. 1998/3173, art. 2

F3 Words omitted repealed for 1973—74 et seq. by Finance Act 1971 ss. 37, 38, Sch. 14 Part II.

F4 Proviso to s. 33(2) repealed (with effect in accordance with s. 199(2)(3) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 1994 (c. 9), Sch. 19 para. 8(2), Sch. 26 Pt. 5(23); S.I. 1998/3173, art. 2

F5 S. 33(2A) inserted (with effect in accordance with s. 199(2)(3) of the amending Act) by Finance Act 1994 (c. 9), Sch. 19 para. 8(2); S.I. 1998/3173, art. 2

F6 Words in s. 33(4) substituted (with effect in accordance with reg. 1(1) of the amending S.I.) by The General and Special Commissioners (Amendment of Enactments) Regulations 1994 (S.I. 1994/1813), Sch. 1 para. 2

F7 A development land tax provision added by Development Land Tax Act 1976 (c. 24) Sch. 8 para. 5; Development Land Tax Act 1976 repealed by Finance Act 1985 s. 98(6), Sch. 27 Pt. X.

Modifications etc. (not altering text)

C1 S. 33 restricted (3.5.1994) by Finance Act 1994 (c. 9), s. 118(7)

C2 S. 33(1) modified (19.4.1991) for the assessment year 1988-1989 by S.I. 1991/851, regs. 1, 9, Sch. 2

C3 S. 33(1) modified (28.3.1992) for the year of assessment 1989 - 90 by S.I. 1992/511, reg. 9, Sch.2

C4 S. 33(1) applied (with modifications) (23.3.1993 with effect for the year of assessment 1990-91 only) by S.I. 1993/415, regs. 1(1), 9, Sch. 2

C5 S. 33(1) modified (with effect for the year of assessment 1991-92 in accordance with reg. 1(1) of the amending S.I.) by The Lloyds Underwriters (Tax) (1991-92) Regulations 1994 (S.I. 1994/728), reg. 9, Sch. 2

C6 S. 33(1) modified (with effect in accordance with regs. 14(2), 15(2) of the amending S.I.) by The Lloyds Underwriters (Tax) (1992-93 to 1996-97) Regulations 1995 (S.I. 1995/352), regs. 1(1), 14(1), 15(1), Sch.

C7 See—Finance Act 1981 s. 134, Sch. 17 para. 18 for the application of this provision to the special tax on banking deposits. S.I. 1989 No. 421, Schedule for modification in relation to Lloyd's underwriters for 1986-87. S.I. 1990 no. 627, reg. 3(2), Schedule for modification in relation to Lloyd's underwriters for 1987-88.

C8 For modification in relation to petroleum revenue tax and supplementary petroleum duty see Oil Taxation Act 1975 s. 1, Sch. 2 para. 1(1).

C9 See Finance Act 1981 s. 134 and Sch. 17 para. 18 for the application of this provision to the special tax on banking deposits.