A recent case concerned penalties that arose on a taxpayer due to a technicality. The taxpayer had run a business as a VAT registered sole trader. He brought his son in as a business partner, which was therefore technically a transfer to a partnership and a transfer of a going concern (TOGC) for VAT purposes.
The taxpayer did not realise this and did not notify HMRC until around 2 years later. However, he continued to submit his sole trader VAT returns and pay the tax due through this period. Two of the returns in the period were submitted late.
HMRC therefore sought penalties for late registration by the new partnership of more than 12 months and charged an 18% penalty. They did, however mitigate this by 70% as the VAT returns and tax were submitted through the sole trader registration and there was therefore no loss of tax.
The First-tier Tribunal felt that as the error was a technicality and that there had been no loss or administrative inconvenience to HMRC, the penalty should be reduced by 90% instead and lowered the 18% penalty to 12.5%. They also noted that the taxpayer had made a voluntary disclosure and that HMRC’s protracted case management had been inappropriate, causing “significant inconvenience and expense’” to the taxpayer
Overall the penalty was reduced from £582 to £100 and so the taxpayer’s appeal was allowed in part.
This case shows the continued firm approach that HMRC appear to be taking with penalties for minor mistakes. However, the Tribunals continue to provide a safety net to taxpayers and the comments of the Tribunal showed the importance of taking the first steps and making voluntary disclosure before HMRC find the error. If you would like assistance with making a disclosure or have any concerns about past transactions, please get in touch with us as we would be delighted to assist.