16Use of computers
(1)Subject to subsection (2) below, in any provision contained in or having effect under the enactments relating to value added tax “document ” , “copy ” and “computer ” shall have the same meanings—
(a)in relation to England and Wales, as by virtue of section 10 of the [1968 c. 64.] Civil Evidence Act 1968 they have in Part I of that Act;
(b)in relation to Scotland, as by virtue of section 17 of the [1968 c. 70.] Law Reform (Miscellaneous Provisions) (Scotland) Act 1968 they have in Part III of that Act; and
(c)in relation to Northern Ireland, as by virtue of section 6 of the [1971 c. 36 (N.I.).] Civil Evidence Act (Northern Ireland) 1971 they have in Part I of that Act;
and for the purposes of any such provision relating to tax invoices a person shall be treated as issuing, or as providing another person with, a tax invoice if the requisite particulars are recorded in a computer and transmitted by electronic means and without the delivery of any document.
(2)No provision relating to tax invoices shall be treated as complied with by the production by means of a computer of any material other than a document in writing, by delivering any such material so produced or by making any such transmission as is mentioned in subsection (1) above unless the person producing or delivering the material or making the transmission and, in the case of delivered material or a transmission, the person receiving it—
(a)has given the Commisioners at least one month's notice in writing that he proposes to produce or deliver such material or make such transmissions or, as the case may be, receive such material or transmissions ; and
(b)complies with such requirements as may be specified in regulations or as the Commissioners may from time to time impose in his case.
(3)In section 40(1) of the [1972 c. 41.] Finance Act 1972 (appeals to value added tax tribunals) after paragraph (1) there shall be inserted—
“(m)any requirements imposed by the Commissioners in a particular case under section 16(2)(b) of the Finance Act 1980.”
(4)An authorised person—
(a)shall be entitled at any reasonable time to have access to, and to inspect and check the operation of, any computer and any associated apparatus or material which is or has been in use by a taxable person in connection with the production, delivery or receipt of material which is or purports to be a tax invoice or with the transmission as mentioned in subsection (1) above of particulars which are or purport to be particulars of such an invoice ; and
(b)may require the taxable person or any other person having charge of any such computer, apparatus or material to afford him such assistance as he may require for the purposes of paragraph (a) above.
(5)Any person who obstructs an authorised person in the exercise of his powers under paragraph (a) of subsection (4) above or without reasonable excuse fails to comply with a requirement under paragraph (b) of that subsection shall be liable to a penalty of £500.
(6)This section shall be construed as one with Part I of the said Act of 1972.