Finance (No. 2) Act 1992

15 Time for raising and answering inquiries

(1) In section 20 of the [1985 c. 54.] Finance Act 1985 (repayment supplement in respect of certain delayed payments or refunds) after subsection (3) there shall be inserted—

“(3A) In determining for the purposes of regulations under subsection (3) above whether any period is referable to the raising and answering of such an inquiry as is mentioned in that subsection, there shall be taken to be so referable any period which—

(a) begins with the date on which the Commissioners first consider it necessary to make such an inquiry, and

(b) ends with the date on which the Commissioners—

(i) satisfy themselves that they have received a complete answer to the inquiry, or

(ii) determine not to make the inquiry or, if they have made it, not to pursue it further,

but excluding so much of that period as may be prescribed; and it is immaterial whether any inquiry is in fact made or whether it is or might have been made of the person or body making the requisite return or claim or of an authorised person or of some other person.”

(2) In section 38A of the [1983 c. 55.] Value Added Tax Act 1983 (interest in certain cases of official error) after subsection (8) there shall be inserted—

“(8A) In determining for the purposes of subsection (8) above whether any period is referable to the raising and answering of such an inquiry as is there mentioned, there shall be taken to be so referable any period which—

(a) begins with the date on which the Commissioners first consider it necessary to make such an inquiry, and

(b) ends with the date on which the Commissioners—

(i) satisfy themselves that they have received a complete answer to the inquiry, or

(ii) determine not to make the inquiry or, if they have made it, not to pursue it further,

but excluding so much of that period as may be prescribed; and it is immaterial whether any inquiry is in fact made or whether it is or might have been made of the person referred to in subsection (1) above or of an authorised person or of some other person.”

(3) Subsection (1) above shall apply where the requisite return or claim is received after the day on which this Act is passed.

(4) Subsection (2) above shall apply where the claim is received after the day on which this Act is passed.