FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Answered by Andrew Thornhill QC (ATQC) and the LCJREU Team (LCJREU)
Loan Charge Judicial Review European Union
Answered by Andrew Thornhill QC (ATQC) and the LCJREU Team (LCJREU)
Yes, it would declare the Loan Charge legislation effectively invalid. (ATQC)
The following are the members of the Legal Team advising on the new Judicial Review proceedings:
Richard Clayton QC
(Exchequer Chambers)– Richard is highly experienced in
administrative law (which includes Judicial Review) and sits as a Deputy High Court Judge.
He has produced with Nikolaus Grubeck of Monckton Chambers the joint opinion on EU law and
the Loan Charge.
Nikolaus Grubeck
(Monckton Chambers)– Nik specialises in EU law. His
assistance in pursuing the new Judicial Review will be invaluable.
Andrew Thornhill QC
(Exchequer Chambers) – Andrew has been in practice
for over 50 years, argued the Rangers at all levels except the Court of Session and is fully
conversant with all aspects of personal taxation. Andrew is Head of Chambers at Exchequer
Chambers and it is fair to say that without him this case could not have proceeded.
His knowledge and contacts continue to support our effort was way beyond what we could have expected.
David Welsh
(Axiom Advocates)– David is a Scottish advocate and also an
English barrister. He has assisted Andrew in answering the ‘Frequently Asked Questions’.
David has a good knowledge of tax law but can also handle Judicial Review proceedings in
Scotland. It is contemplated that these proceedings will be launched alongside English
proceedings.
Alex Peebles
(Duncan Lewis Solicitors) is a solicitor for English
proceedings. Alex is well experienced in Judicial Review proceedings.
Elaine Motion
(Balfour + Manson Solicitors) is a solicitor for Scottish
proceedings. Elaine is well versed in Judicial Review proceedings.
The team have devoted many hours so far to the cause at substantially reduced fees. It is vitally important to put the best care forward.
This is a good question. Currently, EU law still applies. The Government’s policy is that accrued EU rights will be respected by all courts below the Supreme Court. The Supreme Court would be able, if it thought fit, to override EU law protection. Given that the Loan Charge was introduced in 2017 when we were in the EU, there would be strong arguments against doing this. The European Union (Withdrawal) Act 2018 provides expressly that, for proceedings brought but not finally determined by the courts prior to 31st December 2020, it will still be possible to base domestic proceedings on failures to comply with general principles of EU law. (ATQC)
The mere fact that legislation has been enacted does not make it sacrosanct. (ATQC)
Because of Brexit, it is likely to end up in the Supreme Court. It is possible, if a question of EU law were to arise, that a domestic court may seek to refer that question to the Court of Justice in Luxembourg for a determination. Often this is done on the papers and does not require a hearing in person. When that determination is made by the Court of Justice, the matter would be referred back to the domestic court. (ATQC)
The arguments remain the same at all levels. There does not seem much doubt that the Loan Charge does inhibit loans and loans involve free movement of capital. There can be more argument on whether the Loan Charge is proportionate. We shall use an opinion from an experienced accountant showing how the matter should have been handled. There is room for argument here and this is the area where the courts could disagree. (ATQC)
See the answer in the paragraph above. Proportionality is a flexible issue. (ATQC)
Very little because our JR will have been started before the review. (ATQC)
In all likelihood unless we on the claimants’ side gave up, proceedings are likely to go to the Supreme Court. That could mean 5 or 6 years unless HMRC insisted on speedier progress. While these proceedings are ongoing, it may be possible to postpone the payment of tax but this may depend on individual circumstances.(ATQC)
The new Judicial Review claims that the Loan Charge breaches the fundamental EU law requirement of free movement of capital. If that is right, EU law overrides the domestic law and the Loan Charge is invalidated with all its machinery. The existing Judicial Review is based on the human rights legislation. It does not invalidate the Loan Charge legislation. So the new approach is more fundamental. (ATQC)
No, they are separate arguments with separate consequences. (ATQC)
The view of specialist counsel is that the prospects are better than ever and would be improved further by expert evidence. It is hoped that this note, approved by tax counsel, goes some way to satisfying the need for answers. There are many varying cases. The answers and advice given cannot deal with every variant. Taxpayers have two courses. Course 1 is to take the advice in counsel’s opinion to their advisers to ensure that nothing in the circumstances of their case leads to a different conclusion. Tax counsel’s general advice in these circumstances must be given at a high level and understood accordingly. Individual advice will be required for each taxpayer from their own adviser as each individual set of circumstances may necessitate a different approach. The tax adviser does not have to take a view on the correctness of the opinion. He or she can accept them but make sure there is nothing in the facts to contradict their conclusions. Course 2 is to direct questions to counsel for a small fee. Both are possible and course 2 is available. (ATQC)
There are five applicants in England, and one, possibly two, in Scotland. (ATQC)
No, you will not be named in the case as the lead cases will be the named participants. You will not be ‘stayed’ behind the case as you would need to be named. However, you will be protected from the LC because of the information below in relation to your tax return and your reliance upon QC Opinion in relation to disclosure (LCJREU)
No. You would need to be named if you were a person claiming the benefit of, say, a ruling given to particular taxpayers. That does not apply here. The point is general. (ATQC)
Firstly, there has been a great deal of misleading references to the Rangers case. Secondly, it has nothing to say about self-employed persons. Thirdly, the case shows that if an employee bargains for reward on the basis that much of it is paid to a third party, all the reward constitutes his earnings. In typical contractor schemes, an entity other than the taxpayer contracts to provide the taxpayer’s services to a third party for a fee paid to the providing entity. This entity then agrees to a minimal salary for the employee and in addition provides a series of loans. Rangers did not decide that the loans were earnings. The earnings had already arisen. HMRC would have to argue in these cases that the loans were earnings. (ATQC)
Counsel have provided a short Opinion. This Opinion will allow you to go to your accountant and or tax adviser and if he agrees with the Opinion and takes into account the planning which you have used you will be able to legitimately not enter the details of loans on your SATR. This SHOULD REMOVE THE RISK of punitive (up to 100%) penalties but not interest and late payment penalties(up to 15%) should the challenge fail.
This is an important question. Firstly, you will have seen either an opinion or a synopsis of an opinion stating that (a) there are good arguments that EU law does override the Loan Charge and (b) you as a taxpayer are entitled to act on this view of EU law if your tax adviser advises you that there is nothing in the particular circumstances of your case disentitling you to rely on it. You must get particular, specific advice from your adviser. Armed with that advice, you are entitled to follow it and, if you have not already disclosed loans, not to disclose them. Suppose EU law does override the Loan Charge. You then had no obligation to disclose and there will be no penalties or interest. Now suppose EU law does not override the Loan Charge, if you have followed professional advice backed by opinions from Counsel with relevant experience, there is no case for penalties but you would have to pay interest and automatic late payment penalties. (ATQC)
Yes, you can. We assume that the entry in the whitespace is to inform HMRC of the facts, not to admit liability. (ATQC)
Do not put the loans on your return in the relevant boxes as this is tantamount to admitting tax is due. In many cases HMRC will know you have loans. In that case fill in the white space and state: "Although I have loans outstanding which prima facie come within the Loan Charge, I am advised that by reason of EU law no tax is due." If HMRC have not been told previously of your loans and you have been advised that EU law debars any claim against the tax, then you could either fill in the whitespace or alternatively omit mention of the loans. This is on the basis that a taxpayer is entitled to take what he is told is the better view. Consequently, the omission of mention of the loans would not involve payment of penalties. There would be a reasonable excuse. However, filling in the white space as suggested would render the case against penalties unanswerable. (ATQC)
White space is the additional information on your tax return. If is a free text box for you to state any additional information which HMRC needs or may need to be informed of
Section 9ZA Taxes Management Act 1970 allows a return to be amended for up to twelve months of the filing date (31st of January 2021). (ATQC)
Yes, you could do this. Alternatively, you could be advised that the better view is that EU law does override the Loan Charge and no disclosure is necessary. (ATQC)
No, someone familiar with the circumstances of your case (remember there are many different schemes) must advise. If you do not have an adviser, we can organise advice for you from counsel at low cost. (ATQC)
Yes, part of the funding for the JR is being set aside for this challenge within FTT. If there needs to be further challenges in higher courts then additional funding will be required to cover this. (ATQC)
If HMRC ask you to provide proof that you have approached a tax adviser then you can present them with the Opinion (link to Opinion). (ATQC) For a small fee, our barrister will provide said advice directly, but says that you will not need that confirmation until/if HMRC ask you. (ATQC)
We are setting up a service whereby you will submit your circumstances via email to an accountant, onboarded and the opinion dispensed for a small fee (LCJREU will not be involved nor receive any income from it). (ATQC)
1) You must receive tax advice if you choose not disclose your loans using the LCJREU opinion
2) You do not have to write anything in the whitespace
3) If the 2018/2019 SATR deadline of 31st of 2020 now remains unchanged under the LCJREU opinion, then you do not have to re-submit the SATR under the September 30th 2020 deadline - as nothing has changed.
If the existence of the loan has already been disclosed or is known to HMRC it is very likely they will institute an enquiry. If they do, you will have to contend that there is no valid charge and if that proves right, that is the end of the matter. In the meantime HMRC may issue a closure notice which would have to be appealed and an application made to defer payment. If it transpires tax is payable, as already indicated, only interest and late payment penalties should be eligible. (ATQC)
If HMRC sought to litigate open years in the FTT, the taxpayer should apply for a postponement. Technically HMRC would oppose it on the grounds that whether or not there is a tax charge in the open year is a separate question. Taxpayers in this situation are having very varying experiences. (ATQC)
Not directly. APNs remain payable regardless of the JR moving forwards. Open years will remain open and HMRC need to conclude their enquiries and issue a closure notice when the enquiry is finished. This can be appealed and the case can proceed to the FTT. This is outside the litigation at this time.
Suppose old years, say 2012-13 and 2013-14 are open because HMRC has made a discovery or there is an enquiry.
Firstly, if HMRC ask whether a contractor has received a loan, the question has to be answered. If HMRC then claim tax is due either because there were earnings of an employment or receipts of a trade, the taxpayer must appeal. Will the appeal have to be heard? There is a very strong likelihood that it will NOT. This is because one of the issues in the new Judicial Review proceedings will be how strong is HMRC’s claim that there was a tax charge under the legislation pre-existing the Loan Charge. If the court were to give a hostile view, that would be a major disincentive to HMRC’s claiming any tax.
Where an APN has been validly issued, different considerations arise. The difficulty is that APNs can only be challenged soon by Judicial Review and even then within 3 months. The threat of bankruptcy has to be considered. Expert advice is that in the circumstances a bankruptcy registrar would defer proceedings pursuant to s.266(3) Insolvency Act. We would propose lining up advisers to help in any case. Possibly, there could be a test case.
If the settlement is not completed, you can stop the process and reclaim tax. If it has been completed, it may be possible to reclaim the tax. This is a complex issue. (ATQC)
If the new Judicial Review succeeds, you can take the benefit whether or not you have contributed and if it fails, you cannot use the opinions supporting the Judicial Review as a protection against penalties or in support of any appeal because, not having contributed, you will not have received them. Furthermore, success depends on contributions. If no-one contributes, no-one will benefit. (ATQC)
Far too much has been spent so far. To get the petition for Judicial Review launched will cost about £50,000. If leave is granted, costs will be about £100,000 but, if we lose, there will be HMRC costs of a similar amount. There are two further courts, the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court. In both courts the costs will be similar. Every effort has been made to get the best counsel at the lowest cost. (ATQC)
This is quite wrong. The old argument referred to was based on discrimination. The new argument founds on the Cardinal EU principle on unrestricted transfer of capital. Loans are a transfer of capital. This is undisputed. The Loan Charge is a severe inhibition of free transfer which is disproportionate. It is surprising that this point has not been raised before. It should have been. There is an opinion from two specialist counsel to this effect. Based on that opinion, tax counsel advise that taxpayers can treat the legislation on the Loan Charge as overridden by EU law. This goes much further than the existing proceedings based on human rights or other arguments. (ATQC)
We have a team of counsel. One at least of them will be available to help you at low cost.
(ATQC).
We We hope to have standard rebuttal letters for some enquiries. (LCJREU)
Yes, it should. (ATQC)
It probably does as one suspects it involves movement of capital between states. This should be checked or advice can be obtained. (ATQC)
If HMRC say that loans are earnings because the loans are never going to be repaid, then the "loans" are not really loans and trusts holding "loans" are not holding any property. If so, there can be no IHT. HMRC will try and refine their position based on Rangers. They will say that they were earnings first before they were then paid the trust and became loans. It is correct that if the money was paid to the trust and becomes trust property then there will be IHT. However, if the loans are unlikely to be repaid (as HMRC believe) then the trust property has very little value so there is no IHT of any consequence. (ATQC)