30 September 2018 - a vitally important date for all those who have, previously undisclosed offshore income and gains. This is the date by which clients will have had to disclose income and gains and settled any tax liabilities arising.
So, why is this so important?
Because a number of new laws become effective from that date, not least of all the potential for penalties to double from 100 to 200% of the potential lost revenue where HMRC subsequently discover undisclosed income and gains, plus a potential further 10% of the value of the overseas assets held.
In addition, HMRC no longer have to prove there was intention to defraud the exchequer when sending cases for criminal prosecution.
How will HMRC know about previously undisclosed assets? – From October 2017, the UK was an early adopter of the Common Reporting Standard between the UK was an early adopter of the Common Reporting Standard between the UK and 90 other countries. This is essentially a financial information exchange mechanism, so the chances are HMRC may already know about some assets. From 1 October 2018, approximately 127 countries will be exchanging information with the UK. It is expected that this information will feed into HMRC’s Connect system to be compared with entries on tax returns.
To summerise, the world is a smaller place from 1st October this year and the UK tax system has essentially declared war on all those who have failed to take advantage of previous offshore disclosure opportunities. This is the last chance to do so before HMRC effectively has the right to impose the most punitive civil penalty regime in the country’s modern history.
