Counter-Avoidance
Freedom of Information Team
6 Floor
S17
C
15
entr
al Mail Unit
Mr Dale Rayment
Newcastle Upon Tyne
NE98 1ZZ
By email: request-495204-
xxxxxxxx@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx.xxx
Email
xxx.xxxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xxx.xx
Web
www.gov.uk
Date: 31 July 2018
Our ref:
FOI2018/01395
Dear Mr Rayment
Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA)
Thank you for your request, which was received on 2 July, for the following information:
“What measures have you taken to notify tax payers potentially impacted by the 2019 Loan
Charge as passed by Parliament in the 2017 Finance Act. Specifically I need to know when
HMRC will have written to every tax payer potentially impacted to advise them of the 2019
Loan Charge.”
The new disguised remuneration (DR) loan charge ensures DR tax avoidance scheme users
pay their fair share by taxing loans from these schemes that remain outstanding on 5 April
2019.
Those affected can prevent the loan charge from arising by repaying the loan or agreeing a
settlement with HMRC before 5 April 2019. We want to help people settle their tax position
ahead of the loan charge and have provided a number of opportunities, including the
publication of settlement terms on 7 November 2017, for DR scheme users to settle their tax
affairs.
We are actively encouraging DR scheme users to come forward and settle through our day
to day contact with customers. We are also writing directly to individuals and employers who
may be impacted by the loan charge and aim to have completed the majority by the end of
August 2018. We will continue to write to those who might be impacted as they are
identified.
You also might like to be aware that we have raised additional awareness through our series
of tax avoidance ‘Spotlight’ publications, tweets and webinars. We have worked with a range
of stakeholders to generate broader awareness which has been picked up in wider media
activity.
On 18 July 2018 a ‘HMRC issue briefing: disguised remuneration charge on loans’ was
published on GOV.UK. This provides additional information about the loan charge, links to
the settlement terms and relevant Spotlights along with helpful information for those who
may have difficulty paying what they owe. This can be found at:
www.gov.uk/government/publications/hmrc-issue-briefing-disguised-remuneration-charge-
on-loans/hmrc-issue-briefing-disguised-remuneration-charge-on-loans
Information is available in large print, audio and Braille formats.
Text Relay service prefix number – 18001
If you are not satisfied with this reply you may request a review within two months by
emailing
xxx.xxxxxx@xxxx.xxx.xxx.xx, or by writing to the address at the top right-hand side
of this letter.
If you are not content with the outcome of an internal review, you can make a complaint to
the Information Commissioner’s Office (ICO). Instructions about this process are available at
the following li
nk: https://ico.org.uk/concerns/
Yours sincerely,
Freedom of Information Team
2