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What are Disclosure Facilities?

Want to learn more about HMRC Disclosure Facilities before arranging your free consultation? There's lots of useful information on this page covering:

  • Which disclosure facilities are currently available
  • When you should consider making a disclosure
  • Common disclosure pitfalls and complexities
What is a HMRC Disclosure Facility?

HMRC Disclosure Facilities explained

HMRC have over the last 8 years offered taxpayers a number of HMRC disclosure Facilities.

Each facility has been very targeted and designed to encourage people in certain sectors to come forward and bring their tax affairs up to date where they have made mistakes. Sectors previously targeted by HMRC include, amongst others:

  • Medical Practitioners
  • Barristers and the Legal Profession
  • Plumbers and Electricians

Most HMRC disclosure facility campaigns are targeted with a specific opening and closing date and many have already closed.

HMRC have stated that the purpose of each facility is to offer people (including Companies) a chance to get their tax affairs in order on the best possible terms. Prior to offering a disclosure facility, HMRC will conduct a large information gathering exercise (for example, getting information from letting agents on let property) using their extensive information powers. If people do not partake in the disclosure, HMRC have stated that they will use the information gathered to conduct follow up work. HMRC specifically say that this will include tax investigations and prosecutions.

There are a number of HMRC disclosure facility options still available at the moment including the Let Property Campaign and the Worldwide Disclosure Facility.

Comment on the HMRC Disclosure Facilities

HMRC's literature suggests that completing the forms is relatively easy. To deal with matters properly, an individual needs to understand tax law and accounts.

HMRC's suggested time line from start to finish for the HMRC disclosure facility arrangements is 3 months. Payment of any tax due is also expected at the 3 month period. This is a very difficult time line and although it can be managed it needs the involvement of people who are familiar with dealing with the HMRC disclosure facility.

The forms and guidance given in the HMRC disclosure facility arrangements are not very well designed and can cause confusion where a number of different taxes are involved.

Here to help, not to judge
Tax Investigation Specialist
Scott Gilbert, Partner and Tax Investigation Specialist

"We understand that people sometimes make mistakes in their dealings with HMRC and that HMRC make mistakes in dealing with taxpayers. Many people do not know how to deal with HMRC or who to turn to for help resolve the tax dispute.

Our firm of tax advisors specialise in resolving people's problems with HMRC. We have extensive expertise in dealing with all forms of tax investigations and tax disputes as well as with taking matters to the Tax Tribunal where agreement cannot be reached.

We deal both directly with the individual who is under enquiry and also work with many firms of accountants supporting them in dealing with HMRC disputes and advising them on how to handle HRMC to get the best result.

The fact is that proper management of HMRC is the best way of reducing the tax, interest and penalty as well as the time taken in resolving any tax dispute.

Our expert team are none judgemental and rigorously defend your position within the scope and parameter of the law. We take control and manage the process to minimise the interruptions that any form of tax investigation causes to an individual's life and business."