HMRC publishes consultation on tax avoidance schemes

HM Revenue and Customs (HMRC) has published a consultation on improving the information available about tax avoidance schemes and the risks of using them.

The consultation includes proposals to revise and extend the Disclosure of Tax Avoidance Schemes (Dotas) hallmarks (the descriptions of schemes required to be disclosed for income tax, capital gains tax and corporation tax purposes), including whether these proposals are too widely or narrowly drawn, and on their impacts upon compliance costs and administrative burdens.

Any changes, insofar as they affect income tax, will be extended to the Dotas national insurance (NI) contributions regime at the same time as the tax changes come into force.

The 12-week consultation closes on 15 October 2012. HMRC is calling on representative bodies, tax agents and scheme promoters, as well as employers and individuals who may receive marketing and advice about tax avoidance schemes, to respond.

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