Offshore Tax Evasion and Avoidance

If you are the subject of a current offshore investigation, or suspect you will be targeted in the future, our solicitors can represent you and help you prepare.

Offshore

For years (ever since the first success in getting UK account holder details from the Irish banks) offshore tax evasion and disclosure has been a major focus for HMRC and has steadily been developed by them.

There have been a number of different disclosure facilities offering various time-limited, one-off opportunities to disclose offshore tax evasion and pay much lower penalties. Some of the disclosure facilities also guaranteed immunity or were likely to avoid criminal prosecution for tax fraud.

The Offshore Disclosure Facility (ODF), was followed by the Offshore New Disclosure Facility, then the significant Lichtenstein Disclosure Facility (LDF), and the Crown Dependencies Disclosure Facilities (CDDF regarding Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man).

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Whilst directed at undeclared income from offshore accounts (and inevitably also offshore assets and the funding of them – often from undeclared onshore UK income), these were a very useful vehicle for voluntary disclosure of UK tax irregularities with very low penalties and avoidance of criminal investigation, prosecution or sanction.

These have now closed and a final interim scheme will run until April 2017 but is likely to have much less attractive penalties and will not provide immunity from prosecution.

From September 2017 HMRC will start to receive details on UK taxpayers from over 90 countries worldwide under the Common Reporting Standards (CRS) automatic financial information exchange. In addition to straightforward evidence of offshore income and assets, this will be fed into HMRC’s powerful data analysis software (CONNECT) which also accesses extensive other data sources.

HMRC plans to increase penalties for using the most secretive jurisdictions to circumvent CRS, to offer enhanced financial incentives to whistleblowers, to impose penalties on those who enable evasion, and publicly name & shame all of the above.

HMRC previously planned to introduce a strict liability criminal offence of failing to declare offshore income and gains. This would mean that they would not have to prove guilty knowledge of the taxpayer. There is always a chance that these plans could be resurrected in the future.

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Get in touch

If you are accused of being involved in offshore tax evasion, or you are concerned you may be accused of this in the future, you can contact one of our offshore tax evasion and avoidance lawyers to request a no-obligation discussion by:

– Using the contact form on this page;
– Phoning us during office hours on 0333 888 4040;
– Emailing us at help@richardnelsonllp.co.uk.

Solicitor or accountant?

If you are considering seeking help from an accountant or a solicitor, it is important be aware that information you provide to your solicitor has an elevated status called legal professional privilege.

Your accountant is unable to provide this protection, though they may be able to gain it if they are instructed by a solicitor. If there is an assessment of the tax due and a the need for a report to be prepared regarding your tax affairs, we can instruct an accountant on your behalf.

What we do

We have experience of all every type of tax investigation, including offshore tax evasion and avoidance investigations. We know how to resolve these investigations as quickly as possible, at the same time protecting your liberty, privacy and reputation, and restricting the financial consequences you may face.

– We will respond immediately to dawn raids, arrests and interviews under caution;
– Quickly arrange advice and assistance for you, including meeting as appropriate, for all aspects of tax investigation;
Utilise our close working relationships with independent tax consultants, forensic tax accountants, and specialist tax barristers, involving them in your case when necessary;
– Help you to avoid a HMRC criminal investigation if one has not already begun, by an appropriate and carefully managed disclosure to HMRC where necessary;
– Minimise the effects of an ongoing tax fraud investigation and endeavour to convert it to a civil solution;
– Robustly defend a tax fraud prosecution, which includes challenging Restraint Orders and Confiscation proceedings;
– Act for taxpayers anywhere in England and Wales, including London (but not at London prices).

Specialist solicitors

Our multidisciplinary team is made up of specialists in a wide range of services, which means you'll always be represented by an expert in your area.

No-strings initial call

Get in touch to arrange a no-obligation, fully confidential call to discuss your case and work out if you want to continue.

Nationwide support

Speak to solicitors in one of our offices throughout England and Wales, or arrange calls and remote meetings.

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Are you interested in Offshore Tax Evasion & Avoidance Law?

Use the form on the right to get in touch with our team and arrange an initial call to discuss your situation. We will use this no-obligation, fully confidential initial call to learn more about your case and help you understand your options going forward.

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