Tax Evasion & Failure to Prevent It - The Corporate Offences Explained

Introduction

The Criminal Finances Act 2017 introduced new criminal offences of failing to prevent the facilitation of tax evasion. These strict liability offences came into force on 30 September 2017. There is a defence where the corporate has reasonable prevention procedures in place.

This virtual classroom session will focus on the core components of the offences and their scope, together with practical steps for corporates to take to ensure their compliance regimes are fit for purpose.

What You Will Learn

This live and interactive session will cover the following:

• A brief background to the offences
• The components:
• Stage 1: Criminal tax evasion by a taxpayer - what is the line between evasion and avoidance?
• Stage 2: The criminal facilitation of that evasion by an ‘associated person’ - who is an associated person, and when are they acting for or on behalf of a ‘relevant body’?
• Stage 3: Failure by the ‘relevant body’ to prevent the facilitation - what defences exist?
• The geographical scope of the offences
• The seriousness of the offences & potential sanctions
• Practical steps for corporates:
• Putting reasonable prevention procedures in place
• When, why and how to self-report
• Case studies

Recording of live sessions: Soon after the Learn Live session has taken place you will be able to go back and access the recording - should you wish to revisit the material discussed.