FIN.

Government makes CFA guidance

The Facilitation of Tax Evasion Offences (Guidance about Prevention) Regulations 2017 were laid before Parliament on 6 September and take effect on 30 September alongside the relevant parts of the Criminal Finances Act 2017. The Chancellor has adopted the required guidance on procedures that “relevant bodies” can put in place as a defence to an allegation that they failed to prevent associated persons from facilitating tax evasion offences.

The Chancellor has adopted the HMRC guidance, which was last updated in draft nearly a year ago. The guidance is similar but not identical to the MoJ Guidance on the Bribery Act.

Please contact us if you need help in assessing your potential exposure under the new offences and on putting in place reasonable preventative procedures.

Emma Radmore