Tax disclosures countdown

29 March 2010
Volume 26 · Issue 3

There are now just two days left for dentists to notify HM Revenue & Customs of their intention to make voluntary tax disclosures, in return for potential savings of anything from 20 per cent to 90 per cent in respect of the penalties on back taxes owed.

Following HMRC’s announcement in January of the Tax Health Plan, dentists are being urged to come forward before March 31, 2010, deadline in order to qualify for a fixed penalty of 10 per cent on unpaid duties.

As part of a drive to claim back unpaid taxes through a number of targeted campaigns, the Revenue is now offering medical professionals the opportunity to make savings on the amounts owed and, crucially, given HMRC’s own efforts in seeking information on large numbers of taxpayers, avoid the risk of a difficult and expensive investigation.

The THP is targeting doctors and consultants who are registered with the General Medical Council, together with dentists and entities such as companies or trusts with a UK tax liability that receive income on behalf of a medical professional. All are being asked to make HMRC aware of their intentions to disclose by the end of March, before full payment of all liabilities is then required by June 30, 2010.  The 10 per cent fixed penalty being offered as a reward for this disclosure is significantly lower than the likely 30 per cent – 100 per cent (of the unpaid tax) - that could be charged should HMRC start its own tax investigation. 

Fiona Fernie, partner, forensic services at BDO LLP, commented: ‘Over the past year, the Revenue has introduced a variety of ‘disclosure opportunities’, encouraging a range of individuals to come forward and disclose unpaid duties. Dentists, along with other medical professionals, were given less than three months to take advantage of this offer. HMRC is getting tough and anyone who rejects the carrot now could well face the stick later.’