International unity needed to tackle overseas promoters

The government must go further in its crackdown on overseas promoters of tax avoidance says the Association of Taxation Technicians (ATT).

In its response to HMRC’s consultation on tackling promoters of tax avoidance the association has stressed the need for stronger international collaboration improved bilateral agreements and more effective cross-border enforcement to deter the small but persistent group of promoters of tax avoidance schemes based outside the UK.

The ATT believes that it is right that the controlling minds behind tax avoidance schemes are held to account and support the introduction of additional powers to crack down on them. However the deterrent effect of enhanced civil or criminal sanctions on offshore promoters selling schemes into the UK is likely to be minimal if they cannot be enforced.

Senga Prior ATT president said: ‘We support the government’s efforts to deter ...