<h2>Hi</h2>
3 Mar 2009 11:26 AM
Get ready for new compliance checks regime

HM REVENUE AND CUSTOMS News Release (Ref:SPEC 04B/09) issued by COI News Distribution Service. 3 March 2009

Businesses need to get ready for the new aligned compliance checks framework that comes into effect next month, HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) warned today.

With new information and inspection powers, record keeping requirements, time limits for tax assessments and claims and the accompanying safeguards, businesses need to make sure that they know what this will mean for them.

From 1 April 2009, HMRC will have one set of powers and safeguards covering PAYE, VAT, Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax, Corporation Tax and the Construction Industry Scheme. There will also be safeguards in place to ensure that the powers are used appropriately.

HMRC's Dave Hartnett said:

"This new approach to compliance checks will improve HMRC's ability to ensure that the right tax is paid at the right time. We have consulted with taxpayers and their agents to make very sure that HMRC achieves the right balance between obtaining the information we need and appropriate use of our powers."

More information about the new checks is available:

* via a free podcast which can be download to your computer, by visiting the HMRC podcast pages at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/podcasts

* at http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/about/new-compliance-checks.htm

* via a mailbox for questions/comments: compliance.checks@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk

Notes for editors

1. From 1 April 2009, HMRC will have one set of powers and safeguards covering PAYE, VAT, Income Tax, Capital Gains Tax and Corporation Tax to:

* visit businesses to inspect the premises, assets and records

* ask taxpayers and third parties for information and documents.

These measures include taxpayer safeguards to ensure that the powers are used by HMRC officers appropriately.

2. The powers also include:

* greater flexibility in setting record keeping requirements after 1 April 2009

* new time limits for making assessments and claims to provide customers with earlier certainty. These will be fully in force for most taxpayers on 1 April 2010, and there will be transitional arrangements from 1 April 2009. They will not apply to individuals outside SA until 1 April 2012.

3. The HM Treasury orders to commence the new legislation are available to view on HMRC's intranet site. The commencement orders laid in February 2009 switched on:

- information and inspection powers (Schedule 36) from 1 April 2009

- record keeping rules (Schedule 37) from 1 April 2009

- time limits for assessments and claims to take effect from 1 April 2010 (except for certain VAT time limits which will take effect from 1 April 2009) and with an exception for taxpayers outside SA where the shorter income tax claims time limit will not apply until 1 April 2012.

- powers for correcting returns and ending Corporation Tax enquiries which will apply from 1 April 2010.

Issued by HM Revenue & Customs Press Office
Press enquiries only please contact:
Jan Marszewski
Tel: 020 7147 0798
E-mail: an.marszewski@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk

Website http://www.hmrc.gov.uk