WIREDGOV

Draft tax legislation gives greater predictability and clarity

News Release issued by the COI News Distribution Service on 06 December 2011

Following Budget 2011, the Government has today published responses to a number of tax policy consultations, alongside draft clauses for legislation to be included in Finance Bill 2012.

This fulfils the Government’s objective of confirming the majority of intended tax changes at least three months ahead of publication, making the tax system more open, predictable and stable. The draft clauses are open to consultation, and taxpayers, businesses and tax professionals are able to contribute to this until 10 February 2012.

Finance Bill 2012 will include the next steps in the Government’s plans to make the UK system the most competitive in the G20:
• cutting corporation tax to 24% in 2013, on its way to 23% in 2014;
• reforming the controlled foreign companies regime; and
• introducing a patent box.

It also introduces measures to improve growth through more generous R&D tax reliefs, enhanced capital allowances for enterprise zones, and a new seed enterprise investment scheme.

The draft legislation also includes clauses to introduce the VAT cost sharing exemption, and details of the Government’s proposals to encourage charitable giving and philanthropy.

David Gauke, Exchequer Secretary to the Treasury, said:
“This is the second year we have published draft tax legislation, and the Government’s more open, predictable and simple approach to tax policy making is working well. By confirming intended tax changes ahead of publication, we are giving greater certainty and stability to taxpayers and businesses than they have had in the past. Furthermore, the consultation responses we are publishing today demonstrate the Government’s commitment to listening to the views of those affected by changes to the tax system.”
Government responses to consultations on a range of tax policies have been published today by HM Treasury and HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC). These include responses on:
• reform of the taxation of non-domiciled individuals;
• reform of the controlled foreign companies rules;
• Air Passenger Duty;
• design of Machine Games Duty;
• the VAT cost-sharing exemption; and
• the removal of 36 tax reliefs.

All consultation responses being published today are available on the HM Treasury website.

Notes for Editors
1. Details of the clauses published today are set out in the Overview of Draft Legislation document, which also includes Tax Information and Impact Notes for each measure. All publications will be available via the HM Treasury website.
2. A written ministerial statement made today sets out further information on the legislation being published, including details of the measures that come into effect from today. A further statement provides an update on the Government’s plans for introducing a statutory residence test.

Non-media enquiries should be addressed to the Treasury Correspondence and Enquiry Unit on
020 7270 4558 or by e-mail to public.enquiries@hm-treasury.gov.uk

This Press Release and other Treasury publications are available on the HM Treasury website
www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/. For the latest information from HM Treasury you can subscribe to our RSS feeds or email service.
Media enquiries should be addressed to the Treasury Press Office on 020 7270 5238.

Contacts:

HM Treasury Press Office (Media)
Phone: 020 7270 5238
NDS.HMT@coi.gsi.gov.uk