Powers and safeguards

KEY POINTS

• HMRC’s information and inspection powers.
• Safeguards and future resolutions.
• The production of computer records.
• Alignment of record-keeping requirements.

The seventeenth session of the Public Bill Committee’s consideration of the Finance Bill 2008 continued the debate on Schedule 36 which deals with ‘information and inspection powers’. Paragraph 3 sets out the circumstances in which taxpayer notices and third party notices may be issued and the framework for this.

Mr Gauke (Conservative) was concerned that whilst a notice to provide information can only be approved by a tribunal after the taxpayer or third party has been given reasonable opportunity to provide the information or make representations to HMRC the taxpayer will not be able to do this when a notice is being sought in respect of a third party.

He was also concerned at the phrase...