The Value Added Tax (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2004

1.—(1) These Regulations may be cited as the Value Added Tax (Amendment) (No. 3) Regulations 2004 and come into force on 22nd July 2004.

(2) The Value Added Tax (Electronic Communications) (Incentives) Regulations 2001(1) are revoked (incentive for making VAT return by way of electronic return system).

(3) The Value Added Tax Regulations 1995(2) are amended as follows.

Electronic registration, etc.

2.—(1) In regulation 5(1), for “or 6(1)” substitute “, 6(1) or 7(1)”.

(2) After regulation 5(3), insert—

“(4) A notification subject to or required by paragraph (1), (2) or (3) may be made instead using an electronic communications system that remains specified for the purpose in a current general direction given by the Commissioners.

• A system specified for a purpose of paragraph (1) may modify or dispense with any particular required for that purpose by that paragraph.

(5) The time a notification is made using such a system corresponds to when a fully mechanised feature of that system generates a relevant acknowledgement.

(6) If such a feature does not generate an acknowledgement, but would do so in the circumstances alleged, a relevant notification is not made using that system in those alleged circumstances.

(7) Paragraphs (5) and (6) apply as conclusive presumptions.

(8) Paragraph (4) only applies to a notification that is envisaged by a current direction.

(9) Paragraph (4) does not apply at a notification’s deadline if the system specified for that notification is not then functioning.

• A notification’s deadline is the latest time by which it is required to be made.

(10) The Commissioners need not give a general direction pursuant to paragraph (4).

(11) Any general direction under paragraph (4) must specify both the form of an electronic communications system and the sole circumstances in which it may be used, and may specify different forms or circumstances for different cases.

(12) A system need not include a feature of the type envisaged by paragraph (5) or (6).

(13) A direction is not current for the purposes of paragraphs (4) and (8) to the extent that it is varied, replaced or revoked by another Commissioners' direction.

(14) A notification made under paragraph (4) carries the same consequences as a notification under paragraph (1), (2) or (3) (as appropriate), except in relation to any matter for which alternative or additional provision is made by or under paragraphs (4) to (7).”.

Transfers of going concerns

3.  In regulation 6(3)(a), for “41” substitute “40”.

Electronic returns, etc. and electronic payments

4.—(1) In regulation 25(4A), omit the expression “on an electronic version of Form 4 or Form 5 (as appropriate)”.

(2) For regulation 25(4D), substitute—

“(4D) A direction under paragraph (4C)(a) may in particular—

(a) modify or dispense with any requirement of Form 4 or Form 5 (as appropriate);

(b) specify circumstances in which the electronic return system may be used, or not used, by or on behalf of the person required to make the return.

• For the purposes of sub-paragraph (b), the direction may specify different circumstances for different cases.”.

(3) In regulation 25(4F), for “(4D) above” substitute “(4J) below”.

(4) In regulation 25(4F)(c), for “making” substitute “delivering”.

(5) For regulations 25(4J) to 25(4L), substitute—

“(4J) No return shall be treated as having been made using an electronic return system unless the conditions imposed by paragraph (4C) are satisfied.

• The condition in paragraph (4C)(a) incorporates the matters mentioned in paragraph (4D).

(4K) A return made using an electronic return system carries the same consequences as a return made on Form 4 or Form 5 (as appropriate), except in relation to any matter for which alternative or additional provision is made by or under paragraphs (4C) to (4F).

(4L) Additional time is allowed to make a return for which any related payment is made solely by means of electronic communications (see paragraph (1) – time for making return, and regulations 40(2) to 40(4) – payment of VAT).

• That additional time is only as the Commissioners may allow in a specific or general direction, and such a direction may allow different times for different means of payment.

• The Commissioners need not give a direction pursuant to this paragraph.

(4M) In paragraphs (4C) and (4L) “direction” refers only to a current direction, and a direction is not current to the extent that it is varied, replaced or revoked by another Commissioners' direction.”.

5.  After regulation 40(3), insert—

“(4) A direction under paragraph (3) may in particular allow additional time for a payment mentioned in paragraph (2) that is made by means of electronic communications.

• The direction may allow different times for different means of payment.

(5) Later payment so allowed does not of itself constitute a default for the purposes of section 59 of the Act (default surcharge).”.

Standard returns

6.—(1) For “Form No 4: VAT Return” in Schedule 1, substitute form 1 in the Schedule to these Regulations.

(2) For “Form No 5: Final VAT Return” in Schedule 1, substitute form 2 in the Schedule to these Regulations.

Michael Hanson

Commissioner of Customs and Excise

New King’s Beam House 22 Upper Ground London SE1 9PJ

1st July 2004