Tax update: Government sets out new plans to tackle tax avoidance

The UK’s first ever ‘Tax Day’ was held on 23 March 2021, a year to the day that the UK entered its first lockdown.

Although no specific fiscal measures were announced on the day, several important tax policies and consultations were published, which will play an important part in the Government’s tax administration strategy over the next decade.

What new initiatives has the Government announced?

The Government published over 30 new documents and initiatives, covering topics such as the social investment tax relief (SITR), reducing inheritance tax (IHT) reporting requirements and the timing of tax payments. There were also a few key initiatives relating to employment taxes and tax avoidance (discussed below).

What is the Government’s aim?

COVID-19 has had a severe impact on government finances. It’s expected that more cash will need to be invested into the economy before things start to improve fiscally.

As a result, the Government is determined to recoup as much money as it can over the next few years, and will not shy away from targeting individuals and businesses trying to avoid their tax responsibilities and obligations.

It’s very likely that the next few Budget speeches will be sombre affairs, specifically aimed to increase taxes from a variety of sources. The Treasury will be monitoring and collecting taxes more effectively due to these new Tax Day initiatives, plus existing reforms like Making Tax Digital for Income Tax and Corporation Tax.

What is their main area of focus?

The Government clearly sees the tackling of non-compliance as a key objective. It is determined to keep up the pressure on those promoting and facilitating tax avoidance, particularly if conducted via a scheme or artificial arrangement.

Proposals for tackling tax avoidance previously featured strongly in this year’s Budget speech, including tougher disclosure rules and strengthening the powers for obtaining more information and documents connected to tax avoidance schemes and arrangements.

What other tax initiatives did the Government announce?

In addition to calling for evidence on the effectiveness of the tax administrative framework and its readiness for the decade ahead, the Government is also keen to seek further consultation around the following areas:

• Disguised Remuneration: the Government is still concerned that there are numerous tax avoidance schemes still being offered to unwary tax payers, purporting to reduce the tax liability on their employment income, by paying them in non-repayable loans instead of remuneration. The Government aims to clarify the guidance in this area for the promotors of such schemes, while also reminding the public that they will not work.
• Off-payroll working rules (OPW): the Government is keen to understand the impact of the introduction of the OPW rules for the public sector and private sectors. HMRC have recently set up a special unit to target the deliberate avoidance of the OPW rules and see this as a key thrust of their enquiries over the next few years.
• No Safe Havens: since 2010, HMRC have raised over £2.9 billion in unpaid tax by tackling offshore non-compliance. The Government has already made good use of the information gained from cross-border data sharing arrangements, known as The Common Reporting Standard. This has enabled the Government to send letters to thousands of UK individuals suspected of not declaring offshore income and gains to the UK tax system.

How can we help?

If you want to discuss the Tax Day updates in more detail, please get in touch with our Tax Director, Graham Caddock (grahamcaddock@lubbockfine.co.uk) or your usual Lubbock Fine contact.