2002 No. 1727 (C.52)

TAX CREDITS

The Tax Credits Act 2002 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2002

Made

The Treasury, in exercise of the powers conferred upon them by sections 61 and 62(2) of the Tax Credits Act 20021 and after the signifying of Royal Assent to that Act, hereby make the following Order:

Citation and interpretation1

1

This Order may be cited as the Tax Credits Act 2002 (Commencement No. 1) Order 2002.

2

In this Order—

  • the Act” means the Tax Credits Act 2002;

  • “award” means an award of a tax credit for a period commencing on or after 6th April 2003.

Commencement of certain provisions of the Act2

The following provisions of the Act come into force on the dates and for the purposes mentioned in relation to each provision:

Provision

Date

Purposes

Section 1(1) and (2) (introductory)

9th July 2002

All purposes of Part 1 of the Act and, as respects tax credits, Part 3 of the Act

Section 2 (functions of Board)

9th July 2002

All purposes of Part 1 of the Act and, as respects tax credits, Part 3 of the Act

Section 3(1) and (3) (claims)

9th July 2002

Making regulations about claims

Section 3(1) and (3)

1st August 2002

Making claims

Section 3(1) and (3)

1st January 2003

Making decisions on claims

Section 3(1) and (3)

6th April 2003

All other purposes of Part 1 of the Act and, as respects tax credits, Part 3 of the Act

Section 3(2)(a)

1st January 2003

All purposes of Part 1 of the Act and, as respects tax credits, Part 3 of the Act

Section 3(2)(b)

1st January 2003

All purposes of Part 1 of the Act and, as respects tax credits, Part 3 of the Act

Section 3(4)

1st August 2002

Entitlement to make a claim

Section 3(5) to (8)

9th July 2002

All purposes of Part 1 of the Act and, as respects tax credits, Part 3 of the Act

Section 4(1) (claims: supplementary)

9th July 2002

Making regulations

Section 4(2)

1st August 2002

All purposes mentioned in section 4(2) of the Act

Section 5(1) and (3) (period of awards)

1st January 2003

Making decisions on claims made before beginning of tax year

Section 5(2) and (3)

6th April 2003

Making decisions on other claims

Section 6 (notifications of changes of circumstances)

9th July 2002

Making regulations

Section 7(1) to (5) (income test)

9th July 2002

Making regulations

Section 7(1) to (5)

1st August 2002

Making claims

Section 7(1) to (5)

1st January 2003

Making decisions on claims

Section 7(1) to (5)

6th April 2003

Entitlement to payment of award

Section 7(6) to (9)

9th July 2002

Making regulations

Section 7(10)

1st August 2002

Estimating income for the purposes of making, amending or terminating awards

Section 8 (entitlement to child tax credit)

9th July 2002

Making regulations

Section 8

1st August 2002

Making claims

Section 8

1st January 2003

Making decisions on claims

Section 8

6th April 2003

Entitlement to payment of award

Section 9 (maximum rate child tax credit)

9th July 2002

Making regulations

Section 9

1st August 2002

Making claims

Section 9

1st January 2003

Making decisions on claims

Section 9

6th April 2003

Entitlement to payment of award

Section 10 (entitlement to working tax credit)

9th July 2002

Making regulations

Section 10

1st August 2002

Making claims

Section 10

1st January 2003

Making decisions on claims

Section 10

6th April 2003

Entitlement to payment of award

Section 11 (maximum rate working tax credit)

9th July 2002

Making regulations

Section 11

1st August 2002

Making claims

Section 11

1st January 2003

Making decisions on claims

Section 11

6th April 2003

Entitlement to payment of award

Section 12(1) to (5) (child care element working tax credit)

9th July 2002

Making regulations

Section 12(1) to (5)

1st August 2002

Making claims

Section 12(1) to (5)

1st January 2003

Making decisions on claims

Section 12(1) to (5)

6th April 2003

Entitlement to payment of award

Section 12(5) to (8)

9th July 2002

Making schemes

Section 13 (rate of tax credit)

9th July 2002

Making regulations

Section 13

1st August 2002

Making claims

Section 13

1st January 2003

Making decisions on claims

Section 13

6th April 2003

Entitlement to payment of award

Section 14(1) and (3) (initial decisions on claims)

1st January 2003

Making decisions on claims

Section 14(2)

9th July 2002

Making regulations

Section 14(2)

1st August 2002

Dealing with claims

Section 15(1) (revised decisions after notifications)

1st January 2003

Making decisions on whether to amend awards

Section 15(2)

9th July 2002

Making regulations

Section 15(2)

1st August 2002

Dealing with notifications of change of circumstances

Section 16(1) (other revised decisions)

1st January 2003

Making decisions on whether to amend or terminate awards

Section 16(2) and (3)

1st January 2003

Giving of notice under section 16(2) and (3) of the Act

Section 16(3)

9th July 2002

Making regulations

Section 17(1) to (9) (final notice)

6th April 2003

Giving final notice on award

Section 17(10)

9th July 2002

Making regulations

Section 18 (decisions after final notice)

6th April 2003

Making decisions after final notice

Section 19 (power to enquire into awards)

6th April 2003

Enquiring into awards

Section 19(2)

9th July 2002

Making regulations

Section 20 (decisions on discovery)

6th April 2003

Making decisions under section 20(1) and (4) of the Act

Section 21 (decisions subject to official error)

9th July 2002

Making regulations for the purposes of revising decisions under sections 14(1), 15(1), 16(1), 18(1), (5), (6) and (9), 19(3) and 20(1) and (4) of the Act

Section 22 (information etc. requirements: supplementary)

9th July 2002

Making regulations

Section 23 (notice of decisions)

1st January 2003

Giving notices of decisions under sections 14(1), 15(1) and 16(1) of the Act, and of revised decisions under those sections by virtue of regulations under section 21 of the Act

Section 23

6th April 2003

Giving notices of decisions under sections 18(1), (5), (6) and (9), 19(3) and 20(1) and (4) of the Act, and of revised decisions under those sections by virtue of regulations under section 21 of the Act

Section 24 (payments of a tax credit)

9th July 2002

Making regulations

Section 24

1st August 2002

Making claims

Section 24

1st January 2003

Making decisions on claims

Section 24

6th April 2003

Entitlement to payment of award

Section 25(1), (2) and (5) to (7) (payments of working tax credit by employers)

9th July 2002

Making regulations

Section 25(3), (4) and (5)

6th April 2003

Power to call for documents etc. in relation to employer’s compliance with regulations under section 25

Section 26 (liability of officers for sums paid to employers)

1st January 2003

Making regulations

Section 27 and Schedule 1 (rights of employees)

1st September 2002

Rights conferred on employees by virtue of regulations under section 25 of the Act

Sections 28 to 30 (overpayments, recovery of overpayments and underpayments of a tax credit)

6th April 2003

Liability to repay overpayments or to be paid full entitlement where underpayment

Section 30 (underpayments)

1st January 2003

Making regulations under section 30 of the Act

Section 31 (incorrect statements etc.)

1st August 2002

Imposition of penalties for incorrect statement or declaration in or in connection with a claim for a tax credit or a notification given in accordance with regulations under section 6 of the Act, or for incorrect information or evidence in response to a requirement imposed by virtue of regulations under section 25 of the Act

Section 31

1st January 2003

Imposition of penalties for incorrect information or evidence in response to a requirement imposed by virtue of section 14(2), 15(2) or 16(3) of the Act

Section 31

6th April 2003

Imposition of penalties for incorrect information or evidence in response to a requirement imposed by virtue of section 18(10) or 19(2) of the Act, or for incorrect statement or declaration in response to a notice under section 17 of the Act

Section 32 (failure to comply with requirements)

1st August 2002

Imposition of penalty for failure to provide information or evidence required by regulations under section 25 of the Act, or for failure to give notification required by regulations under section 6(3) of the Act

Section 32

1st January 2003

Imposition of penalty for failure to provide information or evidence under section 14(2), 15(2) or 16(3) of the Act

Section 32

6th April 2003

Imposition of penalty for failure to provide information or evidence under section 18(10) or 19(2) of the Act, or to comply with requirement imposed by notice under section 17 of the Act by virtue of subsection (2)(a), (4)(a) or (6)(a) of that section

Section 33 (failure by employers to make correct payments)

6th April 2003

Imposition of penalty for failure by employer to make correct payment to employee

Section 34 and Schedule 2 (penalties: supplementary)

1st August 2002

Imposition of penalties under section 31 of the Act for incorrect statement or declaration in or in connection with a claim for a tax credit or a notification given in accordance with regulations under section 6 of the Act, or for incorrect information or evidence in response to a requirement imposed by regulations under section 25 of the Act; mitigation of such penalties, appeals against such penalties and recovery of such penalties

Section 34 and Schedule 2

1st January 2003

Imposition of penalties under section 31 of the Act for incorrect information or evidence in response to a requirement imposed by virtue of section 14(2), 15(2) or 16(3) of the Act; mitigation of such penalties, appeals against such penalties and recovery of such penalties

Section 34 and Schedule 2

6th April 2003

Imposition of penalties under section 31 of the Act for incorrect information or evidence in response to a requirement imposed by virtue of section 18(10) or 19(2) of the Act, or for incorrect statement or declaration in response to a notice under section 17 of the Act; mitigation of such penalties, appeals against such penalties and recovery of such penalties

Section 34 and Schedule 2

1st August 2002

Imposition of penalties under section 32(2)(b) or (3) of the Act for failure to provide information or evidence required by regulations under section 25 of the Act, or for failure to give notification required by regulations under section 6(3) of the Act; bringing of proceedings for penalties under section 32(2)(a) before Commissioners for failure to provide information or evidence required by regulations under section 25 of the Act; mitigation of such penalties, appeals against such penalties and recovery of such penalties

Section 34 and Schedule 2

1st January 2003

Imposition of penalties under section 32(2)(b) of the Act for failure to provide information or evidence under section 14(2), 15(2) or 16(3) of the Act; bringing of proceedings for such penalties under section 32(2)(a) before Commissioners; mitigation of such penalties, appeals against such penalties and recovery of such penalties

Section 34 and Schedule 2

6th April 2003

Imposition of penalties under section 32(2)(b) of the Act for failure to provide information or evidence under section 18(10) or 19(2) of the Act, or for failure to comply with requirement imposed by notice under section 17 of the Act by virtue of subsection (2)(a), (4)(a) or (6)(a) of that section; bringing of proceedings for such penalties under section 32(2)(a) before Commissioners; mitigation of such penalties, appeals against such penalties and recovery of such penalties

Section 34 and Schedule 2

6th April 2003

Imposition of penalties under section 33 of the Act for failure by employer to make correct payment to employee; mitigation of such penalties, appeals against such penalties and recovery of such penalties

Section 35 (offence of fraud)

1st August 2002

Instituting criminal proceedings for fraud in connection with obtaining payments of a tax credit

Section 36 (powers in relation to documents)

1st August 2002

Obtaining of documents in relation to offences involving fraud or serious fraud in connection with, or in relation to, tax credits

Section 37(1) to (4) and (6) (interest)

6th April 2003

Interest on overpayment of a tax credit

Section 37(2) and (5)

9th July 2002

Making regulations to prescribe rates of interest

Section 37(5) and (6)

1st August 2002

Interest on penalties under section 31 of the Act for incorrect statement or declaration in or in connection with a claim for a tax credit or a notification given in accordance with regulations under section 6 of the Act, or for incorrect information or evidence in response to a requirement imposed by virtue of regulations under section 25 of the Act

Section 37(5) and (6)

1st January 2003

Interest on penalties under section 31 of the Act for incorrect information or evidence in response to a requirement imposed by virtue of section 14(2), 15(2) or 16(3) of the Act

Section 37(5) and (6)

6th April 2003

Interest on penalties under section 31 of the Act for incorrect information or evidence in response to a requirement imposed by virtue of section 18(10) or 19(2) of the Act, or for incorrect statement or declaration in response to a notice under section 17 of the Act

Section 37(5) and (6)

1st August 2002

Interest on penalties under section 32 of the Act for failure to provide information or evidence required by regulations under section 25 of the Act, or for failure to give notification required by regulations under section 6(3) of the Act

Section 37(5) and (6)

1st January 2003

Interest on penalties under section 32 of the Act for failure to provide information or evidence under section 14(2), 15(2) or 16(3) of the Act

Section 37(5) and (6)

6th April 2003

Interest on penalties under section 32 of the Act for failure to provide information or evidence under section 18(10) or 19(2) of the Act, or to comply with requirement imposed by notice under section 17 of the Act by virtue of subsection (2)(a), (4)(a) or (6)(a) of that section

Section 37(5) and (6)

6th April 2003

Interest on penalties under section 33 of the Act for failure by employer to make correct payment to employee

Sections 38 and 39 (appeals and exercise of right of appeal)

1st September 2002

Appeal against determination of penalty under paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Act where the penalty is imposed under section 31 of the Act for incorrect statement or declaration in or in connection with a claim for a tax credit or a notification given in accordance with regulations under section 6 of the Act, or for incorrect information or evidence in response to a requirement imposed by virtue of regulations under section 25 of the Act

Sections 38 and 39

1st January 2003

Appeal against determination of penalty under paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Act where the penalty is imposed under section 31 of the Act for incorrect information or evidence in response to a requirement imposed by virtue of section 14(2), 15(2) or 16(3) of the Act

Sections 38 and 39

6th April 2003

Appeal against determination of penalty under paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Act where the penalty is imposed under section 31 of the Act for incorrect information or evidence in response to a requirement imposed by virtue of section 18(10) or 19(2) of the Act, or for incorrect statement or declaration in response to a notice under section 17 of the Act

Sections 38 and 39

1st September 2002

Appeal against determination of penalty under paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Act where the penalty is imposed under section 32(2)(b) or (3) of the Act for failure to provide information or evidence required by regulations under section 25 of the Act, or for failure to give notification required by regulations under section 6(3) of the Act

Sections 38 and 39

1st January 2003

Appeal against determination of penalty under paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Act where the penalty is imposed under section 32(2)(b) of the Act for failure to provide information or evidence under section 14(2), 15(2) or 16(3) of the Act

Sections 38 and 39

6th April 2003

Appeal against determination of penalty under paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Act where the penalty is imposed under section 32(2)(b) of the Act for failure to provide information or evidence under section 18(10) or 19(2) of the Act, or to comply with requirement imposed by notice under section 17 of the Act by virtue of subsection (2)(a), (4)(a) or (6)(a) of that section

Sections 38 and 39

6th April 2003

Appeal against a determination of a penalty under paragraph 1 of Schedule 2 to the Act where the penalty is imposed under section 33 of the Act for failure by employer to make correct payment to employee

Section 38 and 39

1st January 2003

Appeal against a decision under section 14(1), 15(1) or 16(1) of the Act, or under regulations under section 21 of the Act

Sections 38 and 39

6th April 2003

Appeal against a decision under section 18 (falling within section 38(1)(b)), 19(3), 20(1) to (4) or 37(1) of the Act

Section 40 (annual reports)

6th April 2004

Making of annual report by the Board to the Treasury

Section 41 (annual review)

6th April 2003

Review of prescribed monetary amounts

Sections 42 and 43 (persons subject to immigration control and polygamous marriages)

9th July 2002

Making regulations

Section 44 (Crown employment)

9th July 2002

Application of Part 1 of the Act to persons employed by or under the Crown

Section 45 (inalienability)

1st January 2003

All purposes of Part 1 of the Act and, as respects tax credits, Part 3 of the Act

Section 46 (giving of notices by Board)

1st August 2002

All purposes of Part 1 of the Act and, as respects tax credits, Part 3 of the Act

Section 48 (interpretation)

9th July 2002

All purposes of Part 1 of the Act

Section 58 (administrative arrangements)

9th July 2002

For the purposes of making regulations in relation to tax credits only

Section 59 and Schedule 5 (use and disclosure of information)

1st August 2002

All purposes of Part 1 of the Act and, as respects tax credits, Part 3 of the Act

Section 60 and Schedule 6 (repeals) so far as concerns section 6 of the Tax Credits Act 1999 (c. 10) (payment of tax credit by employers etc.) and regulations made under that section2

27th August 2002

For the purposes of awards of working families' tax credit and disabled person’s tax credit commencing on or after 27th August 2002

Section 60 and Schedule 6 to far as concerns section 6 of the Tax Credits Act 1999 and regulations made under that section

The day immediately following the expiry of the period of 26 weeks from the date of commencement of the award

For the purposes of awards of working families' tax credit and disabled person’s tax credit that commence on or after 4th June 2002 but before 27th August 2002 and are existing on 27th August 2002

Claims for a tax credit relating to the tax year 2003–04—transitional provision3

For the purposes of the definition of “the previous year income” in section 7(5) of the Act, any claim under the Act for a tax credit relating to the tax year 2003–04 shall be treated as relating to the tax year 2001–02.

Philip WoolasIan PearsonTwo of the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury

(This note is not part of the Order)

This Order is the first commencement order made under the Tax Credits Act 2002 (“the Act”) and brings into force the majority of the provisions in Parts 1 and 3 of the Act on the dates, and for the purposes, set out in the Order. Article 3 of the Order makes a transitional provision in connection with the definition of “the previous year income” in section 7(5) of the Act.

Provisions of the Act which are not the subject of this Order are—

  • section 1(3) (abolition of benefits superseded by tax credits)

  • section 47 and Schedule 3 (consequential amendments)

  • save as regards section 6 of the Tax Credits Act 1999 (c. 10), section 60 and Schedule 6 (repeals)

  • Part 2 of the Act (Child Benefit and Guardian’s Allowance)