New ways to tackle non-compliance

After the Budget on 30 October 2024 the government launched a new consultation on proposals for new ways to tackle non-compliance such as introducing a new statutory obligation for taxpayers to self-correct errors in their tax returns and the new concept of partial enquiries.

The proposals have the potential for considerable impact and increased burden for clients and advisers so should be read digested and responded to by as wide an audience as possible. The deadline for responding is 22 January 2025 which is rather unhelpfully right after the Christmas break and bang in the thick of the annual tax return filing melee.

The proposals in summary

HMRC already has a huge array of powers such as self-assessment enquiries formal information notices and inspection powers under FA 2008 Sch 36 (including unappealable financial institution notices) and powers...