Taxpayers using the HMRC worldwide disclosure facility will be allowed an additional 90 days to make a disclosure in particularly complex cases where tax is unpaid, the tax authority has confirmed
From 17 June, the current 90-day window will be extended in certain circumstances but taxpayers must agree the extension with HMRC in advance and register for a disclosure reference number (DRN).
The HMRC worldwide disclosure facility is open to anyone wishing to disclose a UK tax liability that relates wholly or in part to an offshore issue.
Taxpayers can register to use the facility by notifying HMRC through the digital disclosure service. Once HMRC have been notified, the disclosure must be made within 90 days, however, taxpayers whose affairs are particularly complex can now apply for up to 90 additional days from notification in which to make their disclosure, giving up to 180 days in total. Taxpayers can check their eligibility for this additional time by contacting HMRC on 0300 322 7012.
Additionally, the non-statutory clearance process has been updated with a new clearance route which can be used if a taxpayer is registered to make a disclosure of offshore liabilities through the digital disclosure service (DDS).
The guidance has also been updated to stress that where a taxpayer has made any tax credit claims, these must be included on the disclosure.
The HMRC Worldwide Disclosure Facility: make a disclosure guidance is available here