Finance Act 2007

Part 1 U.K. Liability for penalty

Error in taxpayer's document U.K.

1 (1) A penalty is payable by a person (P) where— U.K.

(a) P gives HMRC a document of a kind listed in the Table below, and

(b) Conditions 1 and 2 are satisfied.

(2) Condition 1 is that the document contains an inaccuracy which amounts to, or leads to—

(a) an understatement of [F1 a] liability to tax,

(b) a false or inflated statement of a loss F2 ..., or

(c) a false or inflated claim to repayment of tax.

(3) Condition 2 is that the inaccuracy was [F3 careless (within the meaning of paragraph 3) or deliberate on P’s part].

(4) Where a document contains more than one inaccuracy, a penalty is payable for each inaccuracy.

[F4 (5) In relation to a return under paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to the Oil Taxation Act 1975 [F5 or a statement or declaration under paragraph 13A of that Schedule], references in this Schedule to P include any person who, after the giving of the return for a taxable field (within the meaning of that Act), becomes the responsible person for the field (within the meaning of that Act).]

Tax	Document
Income tax or capital gains tax	Return under section 8 of TMA 1970 (personal return).
Income tax or capital gains tax	Return under section 8A of TMA 1970 (trustee's return).
Income tax or capital gains tax	Return, statement or declaration in connection with a claim for an allowance, deduction or relief.
Income tax or capital gains tax	Accounts in connection with ascertaining liability to tax.
Income tax or capital gains tax	Partnership return.
Income tax or capital gains tax	Statement or declaration in connection with a partnership return.
Income tax or capital gains tax	Accounts in connection with a partnership return.
[F6 Income tax	Return under section 254 of FA 2004.]
Income tax	Return for the purposes of PAYE regulations.
Construction industry deductions	Return for the purposes of regulations under section 70(1)(a) of FA 2004 in connection with deductions on account of tax under the Construction Industry Scheme.
Corporation tax	Company tax return under paragraph 3 of Schedule 18 to FA 1998.
Corporation tax	Return, statement or declaration in connection with a claim for an allowance, deduction or relief.
Corporation tax	Accounts in connection with ascertaining liability to tax.
VAT	VAT return under regulations made under paragraph 2 of Schedule 11 to VATA 1994.
VAT	Return, statement or declaration in connection with a claim.
[F7 Insurance premium tax	Return under regulations under section 54 of FA 1994.
Insurance premium tax	Return, statement or declaration in connection with a claim.
Inheritance tax	Account under section 216 or 217 of IHTA 1984.
Inheritance tax	Information or document under regulations under section 256 of IHTA 1984.
Inheritance tax	Statement or declaration in connection with a deduction, exemption or relief.
Stamp duty land tax	Return under section 76 of FA 2003.
Stamp duty reserve tax	Return under regulations under section 98 of FA 1986.
Petroleum revenue tax	Return under paragraph 2 of Schedule 2 to the Oil Taxation Act 1975.
[F8 Petroleum revenue tax	Statement or declaration in connection with a claim under paragraph 13A of Schedule 2 to the Oil Taxation Act 1975.]
Petroleum revenue tax	Statement or declaration in connection with a claim under Schedule 5, 6, 7 or 8 to the Oil Taxation Act 1975.
Petroleum revenue tax	Statement under section 1(1)(a) of the Petroleum Revenue Tax Act 1980.
Aggregates levy	Return under regulations under section 25 of FA 2001.
Climate change levy	Return under regulations under paragraph 41 of Schedule 6 to FA 2000.
Landfill tax	Return under regulations under section 49 of FA 1996.
Air passenger duty	Return under section 38 of FA 1994.
Alcoholic liquor duties	Return under regulations under section 13, 49, 56 or 62 of the Alcoholic Liquor Duties Act 1979.
Alcoholic liquor duties	Statement or declaration in connection with a claim for repayment of duty under section 4(4) of FA 1995.
Tobacco products duty	Return under regulations under section 7 of the Tobacco Products Duties Act 1979.
Hydrocarbon oil duties	Return under regulations under section 21 of the Hydrocarbon Oil Duties Act 1979.
Excise duties	Return under regulations under section 93 of CEMA 1979.
Excise duties	Return under regulations under section 100G or 100H of CEMA 1979.
Excise duties	Statement or declaration in connection with a claim.
General betting duty	Return under regulations under paragraph 2 of Schedule 1 to BGDA 1981.
Pool betting duty	Return under regulations under paragraph 2A of Schedule 1 to BGDA 1981.
Bingo duty	Return under regulations under paragraph 9 of Schedule 3 to BGDA 1981.
Lottery duty	Return under regulations under section 28(2) of FA 1993.
Gaming duty	Return under directions under paragraph 10 of Schedule 1 to FA 1997.
Remote gaming duty	Return under regulations under section 26K of BGDA 1981.]
[F9 Any of the taxes mentioned above ]	Any document which is likely to be relied upon by HMRC to determine, without further inquiry, a question about— (a) P's liability to tax, (b) payments by P by way of or in connection with tax, (c) any other payment by P (including penalties), or (d) repayments, or any other kind of payment or credit, to P.

Textual Amendments

F1 Word in Sch. 24 para. 1(2) substituted (1.4.2009) by Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), s. 122(2), Sch. 40 para. 2(2)(a); S.I. 2009/571, art. 2

F2 Words in Sch. 24 para. 1(2) omitted (1.4.2009) by virtue of Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), s. 122(2), Sch. 40 para. 2(2)(b); S.I. 2009/571, art. 2

F3 Words in Sch. 24 para. 1(3) substituted (1.4.2009) by Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), s. 122(2), Sch. 40 para. 2(3); S.I. 2009/571, art. 2

F4 Sch. 24 para. 1(5) inserted (1.4.2009) by Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), s. 122(2), Sch. 40 para. 2(7); S.I. 2009/571, art. 2

F5 Words in Sch. 24 para. 1(5) inserted (with effect in accordance with s. 28(2) of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 3) Act 2010 (c. 33), Sch. 12 para. 12(3)

F6 Words in Sch. 24 para. 1 inserted (with effect in accordance with art. 3-5 of the commencing S.I.) by Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), s. 122(2), Sch. 40 para. 2(4); S.I. 2009/571, art. 2

F7 Words in Sch. 24 para. 1 inserted (with effect in accordance with art. 3-5 of the commencing S.I.) by Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), s. 122(2), Sch. 40 para. 2(5); S.I. 2009/571, art. 2

F8 Words in Sch. 24 para. 1 inserted (with effect in accordance with s. 28(2) of the amending Act) by Finance (No. 3) Act 2010 (c. 33), Sch. 12 para. 12(2)

F9 Words in Sch. 24 para. 1 substituted (1.4.2009) by Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), s. 122(2), Sch. 40 para. 2(6); S.I. 2009/571, art. 2

Commencement Information

I1 Sch. 24 para. 1 in force at 1.4.2008 for certain purposes, 1.7.2008 for certain purposes, 1.1.2009 for certain purposes, and 1.4.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2008/568, art. 2 (with art. 3)

[F10 Error in taxpayer's document attributable to another person U.K.

Textual Amendments

F10 Sch. 24 para. 1A and cross-heading inserted (1.4.2009) by Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), s. 122(2), Sch. 40 para. 3; S.I. 2009/571, art. 2

1A (1) A penalty is payable by a person (T) where— U.K.

(a) another person (P) gives HMRC a document of a kind listed in the Table in paragraph 1,

(b) the document contains a relevant inaccuracy, and

(c) the inaccuracy was attributable to T deliberately supplying false information to P (whether directly or indirectly), or to T deliberately withholding information from P, with the intention of the document containing the inaccuracy.

(2) A “relevant inaccuracy” is an inaccuracy which amounts to, or leads to—

(a) an understatement of a liability to tax,

(b) a false or inflated statement of a loss, or

(c) a false or inflated claim to repayment of tax.

(3) A penalty is payable under this paragraph in respect of an inaccuracy whether or not P is liable to a penalty under paragraph 1 in respect of the same inaccuracy.]

Under-assessment by HMRC U.K.

2 (1) A penalty is payable by a person (P) where— U.K.

(a) an assessment issued to P by HMRC understates P's liability to [F11 a relevant tax], and

(b) P has failed to take reasonable steps to notify HMRC, within the period of 30 days beginning with the date of the assessment, that it is an under-assessment.

(2) In deciding what steps (if any) were reasonable HMRC must consider—

(a) whether P knew, or should have known, about the under-assessment, and

(b) what steps would have been reasonable to take to notify HMRC.

[F12 (3) In sub-paragraph (1) “relevant tax” means any tax mentioned in the Table in paragraph 1.]

[F13 (4) In this paragraph (and in Part 2 of this Schedule so far as relating to this paragraph)—

(a) “assessment” includes determination, and

(b) accordingly, references to an under-assessment include an under-determination.]

Textual Amendments

F11 Words in Sch. 24 para. 2(1) substituted (1.4.2009) by Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), s. 122(2), Sch. 40 para. 4(2); S.I. 2009/571, art. 2

F12 Sch. 24 para. 2(3) substituted (1.4.2009) by Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), s. 122(2), Sch. 40 para. 4(3); S.I. 2009/571, art. 2

F13 Sch. 24 para. 2(4) inserted (21.7.2009) by Finance Act 2009 (c. 10), Sch. 57 para. 2

Commencement Information

I2 Sch. 24 para. 2 in force at 1.4.2008 for certain purposes, 1.7.2008 for certain purposes, 1.1.2009 for certain purposes, and 1.4.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2008/568, art. 2 (with art. 3)

Degrees of culpability U.K.

3 (1) [F14 For the purposes of a penalty under paragraph 1, inaccuracy in] a document given by P to HMRC is— U.K.

(a) “careless” if the inaccuracy is due to failure by P to take reasonable care,

(b) “deliberate but not concealed” if the inaccuracy is deliberate [F15 on P's part] but P does not make arrangements to conceal it, and

(c) “deliberate and concealed” if the inaccuracy is deliberate [F15 on P's part] and P makes arrangements to conceal it (for example, by submitting false evidence in support of an inaccurate figure).

(2) An inaccuracy in a document given by P to HMRC, which was neither careless nor deliberate [F16 on P's part] when the document was given, is to be treated as careless if P—

(a) discovered the inaccuracy at some later time, and

(b) did not take reasonable steps to inform HMRC.

Textual Amendments

F14 Words in Sch. 24 para. 3(1) substituted (1.4.2009) by Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), s. 122(2), Sch. 40 para. 5(2)(a); S.I. 2009/571, art. 2

F15 Words in Sch. 24 para. 3(1) inserted (1.4.2009) by Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), s. 122(2), Sch. 40 para. 5(2)(b); S.I. 2009/571, art. 2

F16 Words in Sch. 24 para. 3(2) inserted (1.4.2009) by Finance Act 2008 (c. 9), s. 122(2), Sch. 40 para. 5(3); S.I. 2009/571, art. 2

Commencement Information

I3 Sch. 24 para. 3 in force at 1.4.2008 for certain purposes, 1.7.2008 for certain purposes, 1.1.2009 for certain purposes, and 1.4.2009 in so far as not already in force by S.I. 2008/568, art. 2 (with art. 3)